Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-03-03

Il reckon II wouldn't hardly be hon
est for me TO come. I've told We 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 the
caravan driver whose sight Is tortured
by a mirage. He drew a long breath.
then added:
I've got another reason an q
stronger n for not comm over there
very often. Any time ye wants me for
anything reckon We knows I'll coma"
What is your reason?" she demand
ed.
Il amt never been much interested
In any woman He held her eyes so
directly that a warm color suddenly
Hooded her cheeks, then he went sR
with naked honesty and an unctfs
cealed bitterness OF heart: When
puts myself in the way of havin' to
love one, I'll pick a 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! / 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"
lie 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 m 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 | don't" he ~iercely 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
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
are mistaking our friendship for dan.
ger Of love"
Danger Of love! He knew that u
had gone past a mere danger, and his
eyes for a moment must have shown
that he realized It's hopelessness, but
Don't do 1t. IL would DE a pity. III
rather hungry, too, for a friend; ]
don't mean for n 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
r,o,n- lt, hnrJngt ranHty He lnVp6
her with utter hopelessness. Her eyes
told him that It must always be just
that way, and yet she had appealed to
him-she had said she needed his
friendship. TO call 1t love would make
It necessary for her to decline 1t.
Henceforth life for Anse Havey was
to mean a heartache, but II she want
ed his allegiance she might call u
what she would. 1t was hers.
Swiftly he vowed in his heart to set
q seal on his lips and play the part size
had assigned to him.
I'm right glad ye said that" he an.
sured her. Il reckon ye're right. l
reckon we can go on fightin' and bein'
friends. Ye see, as | said, didn't know
much about womeniolks. an because J
liked ye | was worried"
She nodded understandlngly.
Suddenly he bent forward and his
words broke i~mpetuously from his
lips.
do we low to marry that mar NAL
colm?" He came a step toward her.
then raising his hand swiftly, he add
ed: "No-don't answer that question:!
That's you business. | didn't have no
license to ask. Besides, | don't want
ye to answer It."
ITS a bargain, isn't it?" she smiled.
Whenever you get lonely over there
by yourself and find that Hamlet isn't
as lively q companion as you want.
or that Alexander the Great Is a little
too fond OF himself, or Napoleon Is
overmoody, come over here mt well
try to cheer each other up
Il reckon" he said with an answer
ing smile, I'm liable to feel that way
tonight, but l amt comm to learn civil
lization. I'm Just comm TO see you
CTO BE C~ONTINUED)
r Fashionable Ills Disappear.
n cou,a ne tho mnet fashionable on