The Penn's Grove record., 1916-06-02

paper Gyhu4NdNS-t
In the half light of an October eve,
ming the room was charming. To the
man coming from the frosty outside
air it was full of luxurious comfort.
The man paused an instant, his eyes
taking in every familiar detail; then
they rested upon the woman standing
before the open fire.
THE fates are indeed kind" she
said as he advanced toward her. Il
was beginning to think myself for
gotten"
Never that" he answered, a smile
lighting his face. Think it the exigen-
cies Of business, anything, but not
that"
AS he spoke he pushed an easy chair
nearer the fire and sank into it with a
sigh of content. 81 have lost much, l
know. You, who have it always, cannot
appreciate the charm, the delight of
such a room as this to a weary
J. is always before me as a haven of
rest and has so tantalized me this day
that was forced to yield to my mood
although my desk is piled high with
unfinished work"
Il am glad it was So" she answered
cordially. "Of my many friends, your
presence is the most acceptable"
Are you not mistaken" he ques-
toned gravely. ut has seemed to me
that have lately been on the outside.
1t is as if you had shut a door in my
face and said, Thus far, but no far
ther.'"
She dropped her fan and looked at
him in silence. Then she said gently:
Your voice sounds angry. Are you
trying to provoke a quarrel? Do not.
l will not quarrel with you"
Then why do you always fence with
me-" he asked impatiently. 1T has
been this way for months past, but it
is unlike you. l value our friendship.
The privilege Of coming and going as
willed has for years been my chief
pleasure. But this rift within the Lutte
that you will not explain away leaves
me stranded. Our old-time friendship
is gone"
Believe me, / have been most unfor.
tunate if my ann has conveyed
such an impression" she said slowly.
Jack" with a swift glance into his
gloomy face, for how long have we
been friends?"
For more years than I care to re.
member" he responded promptly.
Quietly she watched him. but there
was n narvouc fropohIo N bar line Door-
er to tears than laughter.
Il have been a fool" he exclaimed
abruptly.
She let the accusation pass in 81
lence.
And a coward"
you are beginning to see how I'm.
reasonable you are?" she asked as she
raised her fan to hide a smile.
mo. On that point my opinion is
unchanged. l was thinking of the lone.
illness of my life. The friendship on
my side has always been make believe
for l love you, Margaret. l think
have always loved you. 1t is a com.
monplace way of putting it, but then
am a commonplace man. l would have
told you long ago, but l was afraid
that my doing so would end every
thing"
81 think you should also add cruel
and selfish The words would be ap
plicable," she replied with hardly con
cealed bitterness.
The years had risen in a flash before
her; years in which she had trained
herself in the difficult art of friendship
when her heart was crying against
such discrimination.
Something in her voice again at
tracted his attention, but her face wa:
still in the shadow.
81 am in an unlucky humor this af
ternoon else / would not have jeopar
died my greatest pleasure. Will you
forget it and let me come as hereto
fore?"
Forget it? mol" She replied witt
elaboration. 81 see no reason fol
changing the habit of years because &
mood forced a confession from you.
well understand it was not volun
tary."
YOU anger me. 1t is you who vii
not understand. There is no little mis-
apprehension in my mind that l ash
you to give me an explicit answer a
once"
ITO what?"
ITO what? Was there ever sucn
woman, Surely my meaning is plair
enough. 1t does not speak well fol
your intuition to ask what under the
circumstances"
"And yet l do ask it, Jack. Yor
have talked and talked. At first &C
cusing me- Then you dropped into q
sort of monologue about friendship
and love, and-that is all"
do you mean me to understand thai
l have not asked you to marry me?'