Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-04-12
Copyright. 1914. by Harper f
CHAPTER II.
AbnerS Decision.

Firmly he caught her hands and
drew them down and held them. You
are dirt," he said bitterly. You
don't like the word, but that Is what
you are. 1 know l could love you,
body, heart and soul, but I won't let
myself do it. You are rich, while l
have scarcely dollar to my name. l
haven't even position in which to
earn a bare living. Out west l shall
be little better than a tramp at the
start, anyway. l may have to work as
a common servant for some family like
yours. have heard that you refused
to marry a very wealthy man."
"Not only one, but several" she an
swered. Il didn't love them. They
We're not like you, Howard. You are
strong, manly and proud. You have
more pride than any man l ever met"
Lets talk Of something ese," he
said, his face darkening, as he turned
from her and stood at the balustrade.
"Why?" she asked, drawing near to
him again, her appealing eyes fixed on
him.
Because 1t Is doing neither of US a
bit Of good,' he replied firmly. You
would never let yourself care deeply
for man like me even If you had the
inclination. All you people with money
are bound down to money and all that
goes with it. The poor young man
who marries an heiress these days Is
O born fOOl-that Is, if he meets an
heiress fool enough to marry him. The
woman Of that sort is not born who
will not sooner or later throw it in his
teeth"
That night after the dance was over
Cora went up to her room. Her moth
er, in the adjoining chamber, heard
her and came in and sat down. She
wore a light blue dressing gown and
was q blond who quite resembled her
daughter in features and physique.
Il thought you all would never get
through down there" she said YEARLY.
Il wish l could get out Of the habit
of lying awake till you come in. Well.
did you have good timeY
YES" Cora said, slowly, without
looking at her mother, and beginning
to take down her abundant hair.
Il don't believe it." Mrs. Langham
said firmly. Il don't believe it be-
cause you are down In the mouth as
you have been for the last week. What
Is the matter with you?"
Nothing" Cora's tone was sharp
and full Of irritation. Nothing
mother"
The older woman rose and stood ut
her daughters side. There Is some
thing wrong, and I think know what
1t Is. You have allowed yourself to
get interested in Howard Tinsley. You
know we'll enough that he is out Of the
question. You are sentimental, as
used to be. but you have too much
common sense to think Of marrying
such man. Still, that is all the more
reason for you to imagine you care for
him. Cora, want to know one thing,
and want to know it before l 20 to
bed"
What Is it, mother? Cora sighed
as she met her mothers stare.
II want to know if Howard Tinsley
really Is going awayY'
Eyes, the day after tomorrow"
1T is setuedT'
absolutely"
Has he had the cheek to ask you
have you engaged yourself to him?"
mo, mother; he has never made anv
proposal. We may not even correspond.
He Is not an ordinary man. He Is
different from all the rest. Oh, don't
talk to me any more tonight I'm tired.
don't know what am saying"
"Well," Mrs. Langham replied sharp
~, I'm glad he's going. You are in
dangerous mood. I've known girls
to make themselves miserable over
such things. promised your father
to watch over you carefully. and here
In this poky. sleepy town you are on
the verge OF making goose Of your
self. You are like most other girls
You want what Is out Of your reach.
You know you can't marry that noun
tain boy. and for that very reason you
think you love him. Yes. I certainly
shall be glad when he Is gone. Surely
you will come to your senses then"
Alone before her mirror Cora finish
ed undressing. She blew out her
light and lay down on the big, cool
bed before wide open window. II
wonder" she unused, If do love
him? I don't know. and yet-and
yet'-
After breakfast the next day How
ard sauntered out on the street and
looked about him. Several white hood
ed wagons from the mountains were
standing near to the sidewalk, their
owners passing from store to store
with samples of produce. Clerks were
sweeping out the stores and display
ing their wares. 1t was busy. at
tractive scene. With a fresh pang at
heart Howard realized that there was
only one other day before him and all
this would be out of his life In a
group Of farmers and clerks in front
Of Tarp's widely advertised "empori.
nm' he noticed tall, brawny farmer
shaking hands with everybody that