The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-10-20

you how much | care. I'd rather have
told you a little at time, but there
isn't time for that now. So maybe
it'll sound crude to you. I've not re-
hearsed it with any other woman, you
see. And If 1t does sound that way 1t
won't help me much, either, win it?
But you're going to believe what sayl
"You started back a dozen years or
so in order to make your explanation
clear. I'm starting there myself so
I'll be sure you understand. You've
been grieving because you hurt me-
hurt me twice viii you stop now If
| tell you that | wouldn't exchange
those two-shall we call them wounds
women in the world? l did believe
that you didn't think me good enough
that first time. That was why l was
cut deeper than you'll ever know, be-
cause l knew it was only the truth.
admitted it-remember? | admitted 1t
when said | was coming back. Well,
I'm back now, and I'm still not good
enough, and not because haven't
tried to be, either I'm just not adj
hitting any man alive could be that.
But I'm telling you, too, in the same
breath that the man who takes you
will have to prove he's a whole lot
better before / stand asiden
For the first time since he had begun
the girl moved. Her head leaped back.
She half lifted one hand in protest,
but the very gladness in his face 81
fenced her.
"My turn" he reminded her quiz
zically. you've just finished rather
involved bit of reasoning concerning
the way other women love, lot Of
which I'll have to confess / didn't at
tend as closely as I should have. Per-
haps that's because no mans method
of caring has ever interested me a
great DEAL except my own
81 loved you when you were little
bit of a girl-because l loved you!
And l love you that way now. Your
face was the first woman face ever
looked on and-really-saw. And since
that first morning it's been with me-
been with me lot of times when I
didn't have anything else 10 look up to-
I've been less hungry for thought Of
you, less thirsty when the road got
pretty long at times. IL worshiped
you. Do you hear? Why, I've prayed
to you, dumbly, wordlessly, out Of
| black bitterness, when 1t seemed that
any other divinity must be too busy to
give any heed toto the ragged little
tad was. Now, do you think haven't
known what it was long before this
to go on when there wasn't any HOPPER
He waited. Her breath came in long
and quivering gasp. I'll don't think
that l want to-listen any more" she
faltered.
His face went white at that, and
then he was smiling again.
81 told you I'd have chosen to tell
you differently"-the drawing gentle
ness was unaltered-"but I'll have to
finish this way now. There may not
be many chances for me to speak, for
I've come back to you almost too late.
And l don't want to hurt you. Why,
I'm going to keep the laughter in your
eyes and heart as long as you live, for
| thought II would be a woman I'd
| find when came back, and I've found
you still girl-all save in those mo-
ments when you've seemed half boy to
me. And that is strange, too, isn't it,
strange that l never knew how much
l wanted you to be like that until you
taught me the wonder of It yourself?
Ny eyes are singing. don't talk
quite plainly. My throat is too tight
for easy speech. for it's just the old
wonder Of you after ADJUST the same
reverence, isn't it? I'll never let you
grow up now. You'll have to stay girl
| -boy.-all the rest Of your lifel I've
ears. But Garry's answer was not Id
kind. Steve was caught 80 far of his
guard by the question which came
finging back at him that he was glad
Garry had not turned.
What else is there could dor
! No man save one who was very, very
tired could have spoken In such tone;
no man except one who has tried him
self In the highest of courts-his own
opinion Of himself-could have put
such a degree of contempt into so sim
pie query.
"Why--why"- Steve faltered, and
then he took command of his own wits
again. There's work enough, don't
doubt that" he exclaimed, and laughed
little. "Joe here will be another
week or ten days finishing with the
fill up yonder He'll do well if he
manages 1t by then and that, too, with
every available hand we have. l don't
want to rob him of single man If |
can help It, but I've got to go ahead
with the line to the south. To put 1t
concretely, I'm in need Of a rodman.
Do you think you'd care to obllgeT
Again the hint of banter persisted,
but Garry's Jaw was tight when he
faced suddenly around.
Il will!' he flashed back hoarsely.
Il viii IL it's a mans jos. But I'm
done with filling a dinRy pad with
rows Of figures all day long. I'm I'm
ished with this dry tallying Of cans
Of beans and soap and yards of rope.