The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-11-03

"well-you mean he was so much
in-you mean lie thought SO much OF
you" The ords were inconceiyably
awkward upon Sheridan's tongue; be
seemed to bs IN doubt even about pro-
nouncing them. but after a CHASTITY
pause he bravely repeated them. "You
mean he thought 90 much OF yon that
you just couldn't stand him around?'
me! He was sorry for me. He
cured for me; he was fond Of me; and
he'd respected me-too much! In the
finest way he loved me, il you like.
and he'd have done anything On eartl,
for me. as | would for him, and as
he knew l would. It was beautiful,
Nj. Sheridan she said. but the
cheap, bad things one has done seem
always to come back-they wait, and
pull you down when you're happiest.
Bibbs found me out, you see: and he
wasn't In love- with mi at ALL"
HE wasn't7 Well. It seems to me
he gave up everything he wanted to
dot was fool stuff, but he certainly
wanted It mighty bad-he just threw
1t away and walked right up and took
the job he swore he never would
Just for you. And It looks to me as
II a man that'd do that must think
quite a heap O the girl be does It for.
You say Il was only because be was
sorry. but let mt tell you there's only
one girl he could feel that sorry for,
Yes, sir"
"No. no." she said. gibbs isn't like
other men-he would do anything for
anybody"
Sheridan grinncd. Perhaps not so
much as you think. nowadays" he said
For instance, l got kind Of 4 suspicion
he doesn't believe In sentiment in bust.
ness But that's neither here nor
there. What he wanted was, just plain
and simple. for you to marry him.
Well, l was afraid Ills thinkin' SO much
of you had kind O. sickened you or
him-the way 1t does sometimes. But
from the way you talk. | understand
that amt the trouble" He coughed
and his voice trembled a little. Now
here, Miss Vertrees, I don't have to
tell you-because you see things easy
know l got no business comm to
you like this. but l had to make Ribbs
60 my way instead OF his own had
to do 1t for the sake o. my business
and on his OWE account, too-and I
expect you got some idea how it hurt
him to give up. Well. he's made good.
He didn't come in h%alf-hearted or
mean: he came in-all the way! But
there isn't anything In 1t t him; you
a see he's just shut his teeth on 1t
and goln' ahead with dust In his mouth.
You see. one way OF lookin' at 1t. he's
got nothln' to work for. And 1t seems
to me like 1t cost him your friendship,
and l believe-honest-that's what
hurt him the worst Now you said
we'd talk plain. Why can't you let
him come back?"
She covered her face desperately
with her hands. Il can'tv
He rose. defeated. and looking 1t.
"Well, I mustn't press you." he said.
gently.
sAt that she cried out. and dropped
her hands and let him see her face.
"Ah! He was only sorry for me-.
He gaxed ut her intently. Nary was
proud, but she had a fatal honesty. and
It confessed the truth OK her now: she
was helpless. It vas 30 clear that
even Sheridan. marvelinG and amazed.
was able to see It. Then = change
me over him; gloom fell from him,
and he grew radiant.
Don't! DON'T" abe cried. you
mustn't"
II won't tell him." said Sheridan,
from the doorway. Il won't tell any
body anythingT"