The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-09-21

Miriam Burrelll And Id never dream
ed Of her caring for anybody until that
minute! I sent her 10 bed. and !
think ] hated Garry Devereau for an
hour or two. Why, Mr.. O'Mara. ia
never believed that q girl could care
that much for any manr'
She sat long time, nursing one slim
knee between her palms.
"Mr. O'Mars." she appealed to him
at last. how might one reopen IA
rather difficult subject with-with q
su lenly most difficult conversational
istT'
without turning his head he made
answer:
II think Fat Joes method Is as good
as any" he suggested. 'Joe says the
only way toreopen any argument is to
take running jump and land. all
sprnddled ont. right In the middle OF
II. lie insists that such procedure
leaves no doubt In the mind OF any one
that the discussion Is about TO be re-
sumed"
She laughed a little.
'rhtn shall we consider that I've
taken the-the jump and landed?'
Just when she was wishing most
that she could see his face he swung
around toward her. Again his gravity
was n totally gentle thing. u made
her remember the self possessed kind
illness with which he had met her un.
reasonable rage the night before.
Twice I've been bitterly unkind to
you" she began. 'once long time
ago and-and once last night And on
both occasions you have just tried to
tell me. Indirectly ut least. that you
cared, hadn't your
Indirectly he murmured. "was I
as obscure as thatf" And then within
sically. won't you call that explana-
ton enough and let me tell Il to you
agaln-so you can't misunderstanding
"Tve asked you TO forgive me the
first offense." she hurricdly denied his
appeal "And the second. Mr.. O'Mara.
years ago you told me I didn't think
you good enough toto be my knight
My outburst was only childish temper
that dag. but did you think last night
Until sun NtuG
Steve finally shook his head when
she persisted in waiting for his an,
swer.
"You Just have finished now" he
warned her. however. I'm not going
10 fell you one single bit OF what I
think Of Won until II comes my turnr'
She tried TO laugh at his stubborn
ness. but she had trouble with this ex-
PLANTATION. which grew more vexIngly
Intricate and involved the further she
went.
"Then wen saw you didn't" she con.
tinued. 81 told you last night. less
kindly than I might have that was
engaged 10 Mr.. wickersham. And I've
lust confessed. too. that l didn't know
a girl could care for any man as unut-
terably. as bllndly and pridelessly, as
Miriam cares for the man Garry Is
That Is the truth. For quite long.
long time II has been understood that
was TO marry Mr.. wickersham.
have always admired hlm-found him
above petty things: but. Mr.. O'Mara,
have always been sure for Just as long
a time that the ability 10 care for any
one the-thc way think you believed
last night | might care for you was
left out Of me. And 50 IL wasn't you
who awoke my contempt. even though
did turn IL against you. II was
myself. II was I and not you who was
not good enough for even II I am
the kind OF girl who can't love any
body very much. except perhaps her
self. I should Mt least play fair. Isn't
isn't that SOP
Minute after minute passed. while
she sat plating the cloth tight stretch
ed over one knee Lips softly. a-quiver.
she waited. earnest. eager that he un-
derstand from her explanation that
which she did not yet understand at
all herself. Again she, wished that he
would turn. She wanted greatly to
his heavy silence.
Isn't itT' she faltered timidly.
And yet when his head did come
around she found she couldn't face
him.
us II my turn now?" he asked
Her answer was barely audible.
cliff you have to-bave II. but
I've told you how useless II Is"
would you mind looking at me just
n minute?' said Steve.
The brown head dropped even lower
over the restless fingers. II shook ever
so family.
I'D rather not. I'm listening"
His laugh tilted recklessly In sheer
Joy at Der refusal.
Then I'll have 10 tell you" he stat
ed. "thrt I'm smiling in spite OF the
hopclessness. I'm smiling. even though
my throat Is aching and my lips pretty
dry.
you've just finished trying 10 argue
my mans case from your woman's
point OF view. one OF the hardest. least
satisfactory things that could be at
tempted. no doubt. And II II were pos
slble | know I'D be loving you right
now even more than did before Just
because you've been so entirely un.
successful at IT, Maybe ! could straight
en- out a point or two that must have
been not quite clear 10 you; maybe
but don't want 10 argue back at you
now.
You say my telling You all ! must