The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-22
from the end Of his cigar. Kate did
not care to come alone and felt herself
fortunate when Sarah accepted her. IN.

from the end Of his cigar. Kate did
not care to come alone and felt herself
fortunate when Sarah accepted her,tn
Vttattton. Neither OF them knew you
were here. It Is your chance. Don't
let any OF your fool notions ruin the
situation. The girl has q right to
happiness. So have you. She may or
may not care for you. but you owe
It TO her to tell her how It stood with
you when you left without a word AZ.
ter weeks OF constant companion ship,
You never wrote, I presume?
No.
ell we will be here several weeks
so have interests that must be look.
ed after. Later on, we go to Nome
and up the Yukon. Ask for leave and
come with US. There are wonderful
possibilities in the intimacy Of yacht
life. he ended with q laugh.
Marshall shook his head, his face
grim.
You have played me & pretty trick.
Jim. / will eve be known as the
husband OF a rich woman. People shah
not say I married her for her money,
even II she would have me, which is
doubtful.
Blast the money and blast such
damnable pride. What difference does
It make which has It?
All the difference in the world to
me, Tom Marshall answered and for
a moment silence rested between them
as they went forward &c Join the two
who were now standing on the beach.
They picked up their friendship
where It had been dropped the sum
mer before, only Marshall was moro
silent than the girl had known him.
II she wondered over It she gave no
sign. but now, as then, they were to-
gether whenever It was possible for
him to get away from his duties. The
days slipped by so rapidly he did not
realize the length OF Jim Ctapnan's
stay until she told him one evening
they would sail the following morn.
ing.
This Is our last evening, she said to
him, unless you will come with US.
Jim says you can get away II you
wish.
Yes, he replied somewhat heavily,
but think It best not to 20.
Will you tell me why you feel that
way? she asked presently.
His face hardened with sudden re.
solve. think you know.
Tell me.
Because OF you.
I cannot believe that. II you con.
stdered me you would accompany US.
It is yourself you are considering.
In what way
She bent forward, looking up at him
as he ESod beside the railing. Mr..
Marshsf. you are a mar OF obstinate
pride. Has 1t ever occurred to you
that through 1t you may give a dead
ly hurt to lone one?
Whom do you mean by some one?
She hesitated perceptibly, then said
slowly. Myself.
Do you realize what you are saw.
ing?
Perfectly. am making a fight for
happiness. and | do not feel I lose In
womanliness by SO doing. Her breath
came a little more quickly. Why
should my money stand between me
and that which Is every woman's
right-the right to be loved?
You make 1t hard for me, he said
between his teeth.
That Is what l am trying to do. Do
you think I do not know what stands
between US? Do you think I did rot
know last summer when you left so
suddenly without a word OF explana-
ton? waited, hoping for a word
from you, but none came. I was then
sure. You have an iron Jaw. Tom
Marshall, an iron will, an obstinate
pride. Yet you can be gentle. You
would not hurt a little child. Why.
then. should you hurt a woman. hurt
yourself. because fate gave something
more than you possess? 1t is not
fair
He turned a troubled face to her.
You love me?
Yes. l came with Jim aud Kate be.
cause I knew you were here. l
thought you would view things in a
different light IN the open spaces
where men do work that counts. It
would seem that I was mistaken, how.
ever.
He threw back his head as II shift.