Middletown transcript., 1916-01-29
CHAPTER XXI.
Love.

Allison swept Gail into his arms,
and rained hot kisses upon her, crush
ing her closely to him. She offered
no resistance, and the very fact that
she held so supinely in his arms, made
Allison release her sooner than he
might otherwise have done. She had
known that this experience must
come, that no look or gesture or word
of hers could ward it off.
"You must never do that again" she
told him, stepping back from him, and
regaining her breath with an effort.
She had fingered in the front parlors
to receive him before her Uncle Jim
should know that he was in the house,
and she had led him straight into the
little tete-a-tete reception room. She
meant to free herself quickly.
"Why not?" he laughed, and ad-
vanced toward her, taking her attitude
lightly, ascribing her action to a girl
ish whim, confident in his power over
her. He meant to dispose Of her coy
ness by taking her in his arms again.
She belonged to him.
"Mr. Allison" The tone was cold
enough, and deadly in earnest enough
to arrest him.
Whats the matter, Gail?" he pro-
tested, ready to humor her, to listen to
what she had to say, to smooth mat
ters out.
"You have no right" she told him.
Eyes 1 have" he jovially assured
her. 81 hope l don't have to wait until
after marriage for a kiss. If that's
the case I'll take you out and marry
you right now"
There was an infection in his laugh,
contagion in the assumption that all
was right between them. and that any
difference was one which could be
Strengthened out with jolly patience,
and Gail, though her determination
would not have changed, might have
softened toward him, had she not seen
in his face a look which paled her lips.
Ever since last night he had antici-
pated her, had rejoiced in his posses
sion of her, had dreamed on the time
when he should take her for his own;
and his eyes we're cloudy with his
thoughts of her.
LET us have clear understanding,
Mr.. Allison" She was quite erect, and
looking him directly in the eyes Her
own were deep and troubled, and the
dark trace which had been about them
in the morning had deepened. Il told
you last night that should need time
in which to decide; have decided.
shall not marry you"
He returned her gaze for moment
and his brow clouded.
you've changed since last night.
he charged her.
Possibly" she admitted. 'It is
more likely, however, that l have
merely crystallized. l prefer not tt
discuss it," She saw on his face the
growing instinct to humiliate her.
"You must discuss it," he insisted
Last night when l took you in my
arms you made no objection. l wai
justified in doing it again tonight
You're not fool. Iou knew from the
first that 1 wanted you, and you en-
couraged me. Now, I'm entitled tt
know what has made the change"
The telltale red spots began to ap
pear in her cheeks.
YOU" she told him. Last night
your scheme Of world empire seemed
a wonderful thing to me, but since
then I've discovered it cannot be bull
without dishonesty and cruelty; ant
you've used both"
His brow cleared. He laughed
heartily.
You've been reading the papers
There isn't a man in the financial fell
who wouldn't do everything I've done
; and be proud of it. can make yol
see this in the right light, GAIL"
It's a proof Of your moral callous
ness that you think So" she informel
him. Can you make me see it in tn
right light that YOU even used me. O