The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1916-03-24

He shook his had and sased away.
Into his eyes came that troubled look
which nowadays thsy sometimes wore.
II reckon &c wouldn't hardly be hon
ct for me to come. I've told 20 !
don't think the thing will do no good"
He was looking at her and his hands
slowly clenehed. Her beauty. With the
enthusiasm lighting her eyes, made
him feel like . man whose thirst was
killing him and who gazed At . clear
spring beyond his reach-or. like the
Caravan driver whose sight 10 tortured
BY . mirage. He drew . long breath.
then added:
I've got another reason an .
stronger one for not comm over there
very often. Any time We wants me for
anything reckon ye knows I'll come"
What II your reason?" she demand
ed.
II Amt never been much interested
In any woman" He held her eyes so
directly that . warm color suddenly
flooded her cheeks, then he went on
with naked honesty and an uncon-
cealed bitterness OF heart: when
puts myself In the way Of havin' to
love one. Ill 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
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"
He paused. and the badinage left
her eyes.
seriousness. I'm glad you said that
1t gives US a chance to start honestly,
as all true friendship should start. In
some things any woman 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 fiercely In
terrupted her.
Neither will you fall I'm love with
me. You told me once of your superior
age and wisdom. but In some things
you are still boy. You are a very
lonely boy, too--a boy with q 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 II
had gone past q mere danger. and his
eyes for a moment must have shown
that he realized it's hopelessness, but
Juanita shook her head and went on:
Don't do II. 1t would be a pity. I'm
rather hungry. too. for a friend; ]
don't mean for a friend In my work,
but 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
facing his hardest reality. He loved
her with utter hopelessness. Her eyes
told him that II must always be just
that way, and yet she had appealed to
him-she had said she needed his
To call II love would make
1t necessary for her to decline 1t.
Henceforth life for Anse Havey was
ed his allegiance she might call II
what she would. 1t was hers.
Swiftly he vowed in his heart to set
a seal on his lips and play the part she
had assigned to him.
I'm right glad We said that" he an
sured her. Il reckon ye're right. !
reckon we can go on fightin' and bein'
friends. We see, as said. didn't know !
much about womenfolks, an because ]
liked We I was worried"
She nodded understandingly.
Suddenly he bent forward and his !
words broke impetuously from his
lips.
do We low to marry that man Nal. |
COIms AAe C6uC . oScp tOWat0 hSi,
then raising his hand swiftly. he add |
ed: "No-don't answer that question!
That's your business. didn't have no |
license to ask. Besides. ! don't want |
re to answer 1t"
Its . bargain. isn't IT." she smiled.
Whenever you get lonely over there
By yourself and find that Hamlet isn't
as lively a companion as you want.
,r that Alexander the Great is a little
TOO fond OF himself. or Napoleon is
come over here and we'll
ny to cheer each other up"
II reckon" he said with an answer
ng smile. I'm liable to feel that way
onight, but amt comm to learn civil
ization. I'm just comm to see you
(TO BE cONTINUED.)