The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-09-14

"Well-you mean he was SO much
in-you mean he thought so much of
you" The r,ords were in%conceivably
awkward upon Sheridan's tongue; he
seemed to be in doubt even about pro-
nouncing them. but after o ghastly
pause he bravely repeated them. You
near he thought so much Of you that
you just couldn't stand him around? 2"
mo! lie was sorry for me. He
cared for me; he vas 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 earth
for me. as I would for him, and as
be knew | would. II was beautiful.
Mr.. 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 me at ALL"
"He wasn't? Well. 1t seems to m.
he gave up everything he wanted to
dot was fool stuff, but he certainly
wanted 1t mighty bad-he just threw
1t away and walked right up and took
the job he swore he never would
just for you. And 1t looks to me as
IL a nan that'd do that must think
quite a heap o. the girl he does IL for!
You say * was only because he was
sorry. but let me 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 grinned. Perhaps not so
much as you think, nowadays" he said.
"For instance, / got kind of a 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 his thinkin' so much
Of you had kind o. sickened you Of
him-the way 1t does sometimes. Butt
from the way you talk. | understand
that amt the trouble" He coughed.
and his voice trembled q little. Now
here, Miss Vertrees. I don't have to
tell you-because you see things easy
I know l got no business CONT to
you like this. but ! had to make Bibbs
60 my way instead OF his own had
to do 1t for the sake o. my business
and on his own account. too-and I
expect you got some idea how II hurt
him to give up. Well. he's made good.
He didn't come In half-hearted or
mean: he came in-all the way! But
there isn't anything In It to him: you
can see he's Just shut his teeth on It
and goin' ahead with dust in his mouth.
You see. way of lookin' at II. he's
got nothin' to work for. And 1t seems
to me like II cost him your friendship.
and I MISUNDERSTANDING 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. 81 can't"
He rose. defeated. and looking 1t.
well, l mustn't press you," he said.
gently.
At that she cried out, and dropped
her hands and let him see her face.
"Ah! He was only sorry for me-"
He gazed at her intently. Mary was
proud, but she had a fatal honesty, and
II confessed the truth OK her now: she
was helpless. 1t was 30 clear that
even Sheridan. marveling and amazed.
was able to see 1t. Then a change
came over him; gloom fell from him,
and he grew radiant.
Don't! Don't" she cried. "You
mustn't"
II won't tell him." said Sheridan,
from the doorway. II won't tell any
body anythingw