The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-05-26

yard found himself ii tie company o.
woman % whom he dnrad--and
earsd-to speak without reserves
circumstances lnlrinslcslfy snEoxlea .ias
And stimulated by her unqueskionabls
interest and sympathy. Ne did ala
rtihoH re- arye--es Old lsav6a's ia
It's drudge Marcel. Of Bourke ara his
wanderings. OF the education OF TIE
Lone Vol and his career. less In pride
than In relief that II was ended. OF the
future he must achieve for himself.
And. sitting with chin Graded on the
backs OF her lnterlaced fingers. the
girl listened with such indulgence as
women find always for their lovers OF
herself she had little to say. Lanyard
filled In to his taste the outlines OF
the simple history Of the young wom-
an OF good family obliged to become
self-supporting.
And II at times her grave eyes
clouded and her attention wandered,
1t was less in ennui than because OF
occult trains of thought set In motion
BY some chance word or phrase Of
Lanyard's.
I'm boring you." he suggested once
with quick contrition, waking up to the
fact that he'd monopolized the CONVEX
sation for many minutes on end.
She shook a pensive head. mo.
again. But, wonder. do you appreci-
ate the magnitude OF the task you've
set yourself?"
Possibly not" he conceded AFRO
gantly; but 1t doesn't matter. The
heavier the odds. the greater the In
centive to win"
But" she objected, you've told me
a curious story of one who never had
a chance or incentive to go straight
as you put 1t. And yet you seem to
think that an overnight resolution to
reform Is all that's needed to change
all the habits Of a lifetime. You per
suade me OF your sincerity OF today:
but how will 1t be vita you tomorrow
land not SO much tomorrow as six
months from tomorrow, when you've
found the going rough and know you've
only to take one step aside to gain q
and easy way?"
III fail, then. II will be because I'm
I'll go under and never be
heard Of again. But sha'n't fail. It
seems to me the very fact that want
70 go straight is proof enough that I've
something inherently decent in me to
build on"
Il do believe that, and yet" She
owered her head and began to trace
meaningless pattern on the cloth be-
ore she resumed. You've given me
o understand that I'm responsible for
our sudden awakening--that it's be-
'ause of regard conceived for me
cure SO anxious to become an honest
nan. Suppose-suppose you were to |
nd out-you'd been mistaken in me?"
THAT isn't possible" he objected |
She smiled upon him wistfully.
But IL II were"
Then think" he said soberly-'T
hink Id feel as though there were
othing but emptiness beneath my
set!"
And you'd-backslide?"
How can | tell?" he expostulated.
It's not fair question. | don't know
hat I'd do, but do know 1t would
eed something damnable to shake my
nth In youl"
you think so now" she said toler.
ntly- But II appearances we're against
le---"
they'd have tosbe biaeks.-
IF you found had deceived you"
Miss Shannon!" He threw an arm
cross the table and suddenly impris-
ned her hand. There's no use beat
lg about the bush. You've got to
now"
She drew back suddenly with a
'iehtened look and a monosyllable of
harp remonstrance; mol"
But you must listen to me. want
ou to understand, Bourke used to say
me: The man who let's love into
Is life opens door no mortal hand
IN close-and God only knows what
Ill follow int And Bourke was right.