The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-10-20


II think Fat Joe's method is as good
as any," he suggested. "Joe says the
only way to reopen any argument is to
take a running jump and land. all
spraddled out, right In the middle of
it. He insists that such procedure
leaves no doubt in the mind of any one
that the discussion is about to be re-
sumed."
She laughed little.
"Then 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 totally gentle thing. 1t made
her remember the self possessed kind
liness with which he had met her I'M
reasonable rage the night before.
Twice I've been bitterly unkind to
you" she began, "once a long time
ago and-and once last night And on
both occasions you have just tried to
tell me, indirectly at least, that you
cared, hadn't your"
"Indirectly?" he murmured. WAS |
as obscure as that?" And then whim
slcally, Wont You call that expana.
tion enough and let me tell it to you
again-so you can't misunderstanding
"I've asked You TO forgive nc the
first ofTense," she hurriedly denied his
appeal "And the second, Mr.. OMara,
years ago you told me | didn't think
you good enough toto be my knight
My outburst was only childish temper
that day, but did you think last night
that still moderated your
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
to tell you one single bit of what l
think Of you until it comes my turnw
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 say you didn't" she con-
tnued. al told you last night, less
kindly than might have that / was
engaged TO Mr.. Wickersham. And I've
just confessed, too. that / didn't know
a girl could care for any man as unut.
terably, as blindly and pridelessly, as
Miriam cares for the man Garry Is
That is the truth. For quite a long,
long time it has been understood that
l was to marry Mr.. Wickersham. I
have always admired him-found him
above petty things; but, Mr.. O'Mara, I
have always been sure for just as long
a time that the ability to care for any
one the-the way | think you believed
last night l might care for you was
left out of me- And so it wasn't you
who awoke my contempt, even though
I did turn it against you. 1t was l
myself. 1t was 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, should at 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 I'M
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
see whatever there might be behind
his heavy silence.
"Isn't itT she faltered timidly.
And yet when his head did come
around she found she couldn't face
him.
as It my turn now" he asked.
Her answer was barely audible.
tiff you have to-have It But
I've told you how useless It is"
"Would you mind looking at me Just
a minute?" said Steve.
The brown head dropped even lower
over the restless fingers. 1t shook ever
so family.
ard rather not. I'm listening"
His laugh tilted recklessly in sheer
Joy at her refusal.
"Then I'll have to tell you" he stat
ed. that I'm smiling in spite of the
hopelessness. I'm smiling, even though
my throat is aching and my lips pretty
dry.
you've just finished trying to 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 If it were pos
sible | know I'd be loving you right
now even more than l 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 to you; maybe
but don't want to argue back at you
now.
you say my telling you all ! must
tell you can't help my case little bit.
All right; Wen let It stand like that
for the moment, And you say you are
going to marry Mr.. Wickersham. All
right again, but better prophets than
either Of US have made mistakes be-
fore nOwl II he hadn't forced on me
one condition which would have liked
to be different I'd rather have had to