The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-01-13

Wbi'h hOWondyn Ahty bOnlttlAuCo WOAOs
Il reckon 1t wouldn't hardly be hon
est for me to come. I've told ye I
don't think the thing will do no good"
He was looking at her and his hands
slowly clenched. Her beauty. with the
enthusiasm lighting her eyes. made
him feel like a man whose thirst was
killing him and who gazed at a clear
spring beyond his reach-or. like ths
caravan driver whose sight is tortured
by a mirage. He drew long breath.
then added:
I've got another reason an
stronger one for not comm over there
very often. Any time ye wants me for
anything reckon ye knows I'll come"
what is your reason?" she demand
ed.
II ain't never been much Interested
in any woman" He held her eyes so
directly that warm color suddenly
flooded her cheeks, then he went on
with naked honesty and an uncon-
cealed bitterness OF heart when
puts myself in the way of havln' to
love one, I'll pick woman that won't
have to be ashamed OF me-some
mountain woman"
For an instant she stared at him in
astonishment, then she exclaimed:
Ashamed of you | don't think any
woman would be ashamed OF you. MIR.
Havey," but. recognizing that her voice
had been overserious. she laughed. and
once more her eyes danced with gay
mischief
Don't be afraid OF me. I'll promise
not TO make love to you"
I'm obleeged," he said slowly.
THAT amt what I'm skeered OF. I'm
afraid ye couldn't hardly stop me from
maxim love TO you"
He paused. and the badinage left
her eyes
"Mr. Havey," she said with great
seriousness. I'm glad you said that.
II gives us a chance to start honestly,
as all true friendship should start In
some things any woman is wiser than
any man. You won't fall in love with
me You thought you we're going to
hate me. but you don't"
God knows don't" he fiercely in
: terrupted her.
-
me. You told me once of your superior
= age and wisdom. but in some things
you are still a boy. You are very
!, lonely boy. too-a boy with heart
hungry for companionship. You have
had friends only In books-comrade-
ship only In dreams. You have lived
down there in that old prison OF a
house with a sword of Damocles hang
ing always over your head. Because
! we have been In a way congenial. you
D. are mistaking our friendship for dan
ger of love-"
Danger OF lovel He knew that It
y had gone past mere danger. and his
eyes for moment must have shown
. that he realized its hopelessness. but
70 Juanita shook her head and went on:
= Don't do It, It would be pity I'm
70 rather hungry. too for a friend;
o. don't mean for friend in my work,
\, NJ but friend in my life. Can't We be
IL friends like that?"
She stood looking into his eyes. and
e slowly the drawn look of gravity LEFT
D. his face.
70 He had always thought quickly and
udTeu 10 ldCt Tcdlltlcb iic was INV
IL facing his hardest reality. He loved
H. her with utter hopelessness. Her eyes
y told him that It must always be just
~ that way. and yet she had appealed to
him-she had said she needed his
20 friendship To call II love would make
Is 1t necessary for her to decline It.
10 Henceforth life for Anse Hayey was
70 to mean a heartache, but II she want
ed his allegiance she might call II
what she would. II was hers.
Swiftly he vowed in his heart to sci
a seal on his lips and play the part she
had assigned to him.
I'm right glad ye said that" he an
sured her. Il reckon ye're right.
= reckon we can go on fightin' and bein
NJ friends. Ye see, as said. didn't know
n much about womenfolks. an because
VA liked ye was worried"
IA She nodded understandingly.
VII Suddenly he bent forward and hi
III words broke impetuously from hi
Vb lips.
IN do ye low to marry that man Nal
lu colm?" He came a step toward her
M then raising his hand swiftly. he add
M ed: "No-dont answer that question
W That's your business. | didn't have M
AW license to ask. Besides. ! don't wan
WI ye to answer IT,"
MA Its bargain. isn't it," she smiled
XII Whenever you get lonely over Their
W by yourself and find that Hamlet ism
NM as lively a companion as you want
Nh or that Alexander the Great is littl
Vu No
mi overmoody. come over here and vel
M try to cheer each other up"
M II reckon" he said with an answer
lln ing smile. I'm liable to feel that wa,
~ tonight. but amt comm to lealn civ
In, lization. I'm just comm to see you.
CTo BE coNTINUED)