Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-03-15

longer He had realized that each day
which he checked off, always hopeful
that the next might open the way for
him to see her again, was steadily
bringing nearer the date of her de-
parture. But he had not let himself
think that it would come so soon.
There was no doubt this time about
the heaviness of his voice.
Il see,'' he said. II see."
There came a long silence. Rising
out of it, Barbara's voice sounded very,
very little.
give never known sky in which
the stars were so thick. They're
they're like a field of buttercups. And
have you ever seen such an irrepressi-
bly, happy creature as Miriam was to-
night? She was radiant, positively
shameless. Did you know that Garry
knows
81 told him myself said Steve sim.
ply.
The girl faced around in her sur
prise.
"You?
voice was not quite so unenthusiastic
now. "It's one of the few unmistak-
able opportunities I've ever had to
make two people permanently as hap.
Ply as Miriam was tonight. I'd feel
guilty all my life if l didn't help all 1
could, knowing how happy | am going
to be myself
Thus did he work around. quite with
out abruptness, to a renewal of that
discussion which she had thought to
close weeks before.
care you trying to infer that l am
to be a part of that happiness?" she
asked none too promisingly.
"You ought to know. I said all my
life"
And there suddenly Barbara laughed.
Il suppose now they'll marry and
live happily ever after!' she exclaim-
ed, with an attempt at airiness.
'Most certainly" asserted Steve, al
though her mirth puzzled him. 'Why
is it funny to you?"
ut isn't, but-yes, it is too, now
that it's no longer thing one need
worry about. That's always the trou-
BILE with emotions which are too in
tense. They're either very sad to con-
template or very, very absurd. And
they will persist in exchanging faces,
to the confusion Of the onlookers. Gar
ry was so dangerously in love with
Mary Graves, you see.'
Gle was in love with an idea," the
man contradicted fatty. "He was in
love with just that And it is not safe
for any man to live alone with an alb
stract conception of anything. He's
bound sooner or later to lose his grip
on tangible things if he does. He's
likely to start destroying property to
further the cause Of labor or liable to
turn to shooting men who were born
to jobs Pm certain some of them never
Wanted-kings and that sort, 1 mean
figuring on solving the social problems
that problem themselves. Perfection
is fine thing to anticipate; expecta-
lions Of it are dangerous. And women
aren't made that way
mop" Her voice slid coolly upward.
mo" he told her and smiled with
that serenity she had come to know so
well. "Not even you, though l sup
pose I'd about annihilate any one else
if he ever limited at it," He chose to
be didactic in tone. "No, you're not
perfect. You've too much intelligence
for that. Why, right now you're fight
ing with your brain against the die
tates of your heart, and if you were
above mortal error in judgment you'd
know that you are wasting your time
"Your opinion has the merit of sin
CERTIFY" she said, although, looking
back upon "a certain day, [ can't
help but wonder whether you haven't
been guilty of mouthing pretty moth
ings for my poor ears"
''That proves my point right now"
He was imperturbable. you're beg
ging the question to GAIN
"You said'- she flashed and then
grew red.
81 said I'd let you ask 10 pardon of
me. 1 said I'd let myself find no flaw
in you. But how does that embarrass
lection would be a mighty difficult
thing to live with day in and day out.
Living with woman who never made
a mistake could have no appeal for
me. She'd always be emphasizing my
own shortcomings. You become con-
sistent and you'll catch me yawning
some day; grow logical and you'll al
most scare me off! Why. you're a
girlr'
Her laughter was like bell on the
still air.
"And you-you still sit there and in
sist that perfection has no attraction
for you? When you've just described
without knowing it the-the sort of
girl you think is perfect"
His lips curled in way to quicken
any Woman's pulse.
"You have me BEATEN be laughed.
His eyes, dark as was the shadow upon
his face made her breath unsteady.