Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1916-06-28

copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
In the half light of an October we
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. II have lost much, l
know. You, who have it always, cannot
appreciate the charm, the delight or
such a room as this to a weary man.
It is always before me as a haven of
rest and has so tantaliZed me this day
that l was forced to yield to my mood
although my desk is piled high with
unfinished work"
81 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 1 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.
/ 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 l
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"
"Eelieve me, I have been most unfor-
tunate if my manner 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 1 care to re-
member he responded promptly.
Quietly she watched him, but there
was a nervous tremble to her lips near
er to tears than laughter.
81 have been a fool" he exclaimed
abruptly.
She let the accusation pass in ST.
lence.
"And a coward"
"You are beginning to see how un-
reasonable you are?" she asked as she
raised her fan to hide a smile.
mo. On that point my opinion is
unchanged. I 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 l
have always loved you. 1t is a COM
monplace way of putting it, but then l
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 was
still in the shadow.
Il am in an unlucky humor this az
ternoon else l would not have jeopar-
died my greatest pleasure. Will you
forget it and let LIE come as hereto
fore?"
Forget it? MOI She replied with
deliberation. Il see no reason for
changing the habit Of years because a
mood forced a confession from you.
we'll understand It was not volun-
tary."
You anger me. 1t is you who will
not understand. There is no little mis-
apprehension in my mind that l ask
you to give ne an explicit answer at
once"
ITO what?"
"To what? Was there ever such q
woman! Surely my meaning is plain
enough. 1t does not speak we'll for
your intuition to ask what under the
circumstances"
HApd vnt 6o ,clY II lack Won