Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-01-08

which nowadays they sometimes WORE
Il reckon it wouldn't hardly be hon
est for me to come I've told ye
don't think the thing will do no good
He was looking at her ana his hands
slowly c1enched. 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 the
caravan driver whose sight is tortured
by mirage. He drew a long breath.
| then added:
I've got another reason an
stronger one for not comm over there
very often. Any time We wants me for
anything reckon We knows I'll come"
what is your reason?" she demand
ed.
Il amt 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 I
puts myself in the way of havin' 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
establishment. then she exclaimed:
Ashamed of you, I don't think any
woman would be ashamed of you. Mr..
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 We couldn't hardly stop me from
maxim love to you"
He paused. and the badinage left
her eyes.
mir. Havey,"1 she said with great
| seriousness. I'm glad you said that
| It gives US 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 were going to
hate me, but you don't"
God knows 1 don't" he fiercely in
terrupted her.
Neither will you fall in love with
me- You told me once of your superior
age and wisdom, but in some things
YOU are still a boy You are a very
lonely boy, too-a boy with a heart
hungry for companionship. You have
udu IIiSnOS Olly ia DOOhS COAut dQC-
ship only in dreams. You have lived
down there in that old prison of a.
house with sword of Damocles hang
ing always over your head. Because
we have been in way congenial. you
are mistaking our friendship for dan
ger of love-"
Danger of lovei He knew that il
had gone past a mere danger, and his
eyes for a moment must have shown
that he realized its hopelessness, but
Juanita shook her head and went on:
Don't do it. 1t would be a pity I'm
rather hungry. too, for friend; l
don't mean for a friend in my work,
but a friend in my life. Can't we be
friends like that?"
She stood looking into his eyes, and
slowly the drawn look of gravity left
his face.
He had always thought quickly and
dared to face realities He was now
facing his hardest reality. He loved
her with utter hopelessness. Her eyes
told him tErat it must always be just
that way, and yet she had appealed to
him-she- had said she needed his
friendship. To call it love would make
it necessary for her to. decline it,
Henceforth life for Anse Havey was
to mean heartache. but If she want
ed his allegiance she might call it
what she would 1t was hers.
Swiftly he vowed in his heart to set
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 fghtin' and bein'
friends Ye see, as said, didn't know
much about womenfolks, an because 1
liked ye was worried
She nodded Understandings
Suddenly he bent forward and his
words broke impetuously from his
lips.
do We low to marry that man NAL
colm?" He came a step toward her.
then raising his hand swiftly. he add
ed: "No-don't answer that question:
That's your business. l DIDN'T have no
license to ask. Besides. don't want
We to answer it,
Its n bargain. isn't 1T" she smiled
'swhenever you get lonely over there
by yourself and. find that Hamlet isn't
as lively a companion as you want,
or that Alexander tine Great is a little
too fond of himself. OF Napoleon is
overmoody come over here and we1l
try to cheer each other up
81 reckon he said with an answer
ing smile. I'm liable to feel that way
tonight. bnh ain't comm tc learn civi-
lization. I'm just comm to see you"