Tombstone epitaph., 1917-02-11

He shook his head and galed away. Into his eyes came that troubled look which nowadays they sometimes wore.
 'I reckon it wouldn't hardly be hon est for me to come. I've told ye l don't think the thing will do no good" He was looking at her and his hands slowly clenched. Her beauty. with the enthusiasm lighting her eyes. made him feel like a man whose thirst was killing him and who gazed at . clear spring beyond his reach-or. like the caravan driver whose sight is tortured by a mirage. He drew a long breath. then added:
 I've got another reason an . stronger one for not comin' over there very often. Any time ye wan,s me fo- anything l reckon ye knows I'll come"
 What is your reason!" she demand ed.
 "I aint never been much interested directly that a warm color suddenly flooded her cheeks, then he went on with naked honesty and an uncon. cealed bitterness of heart: When I puts myself in the way of havin' to love one. I'll pick woman that won't have to be ashamed of me-some mountain woman"
 For an instant she stared at him in astonishment, then she exclaimed: Ashamed of you! I don't think any woman would be ashamed of you. Mir. Havey." but. recognizing that her voice had been overserious, she laughed. and once more her eyes danced with gay mischief
 Don't be afraid of me. I'll promise not to make love to you" I'm obleeged," he said slowly. That ain't what I'm skeered of I'm afraid ye couldn't hardly stop me from makin' love to you"
 He paused. and the badinage left her eyes.
 "Mr. Havey." she said with great seriousness. I'm glad you said that. It gives us a chance to start honestly, as all true friendship should start. In some things any woman is wiser than any man. You won't fall in love with me You thought you were going to hate me. but you don't"
 a"God knows I don't" he fercely in. terrupted her.
 Neither will you fall in love with me. You told me once Of your superior age and wisdom. but in some things you are still a boy. You are a very | lonely boy, too-a boy with a heart hungry for companionship. You have had friends only in books-comrade. ship only in dreams. You have lived down there in that old prison of a house with a sword of Damocles hang ing always over your head. Because We have been in a way congenial, you are mistaking our friendship for dan. ger of love"
 | Danger of love! He knew that il had gone past a mere danger, and his eyes for a moment must have shown that he realized its hopelessness, but Juanita shook her head and went on:
 Don't do 1t. It would be pity. I'm rather hungry, too. for a friend; don't mean for friend in my work, but friend in my life. Can't we be friends like that?"
 She stood looking into his eyes, and slowly the drawn look of gravity Jeff his face.
 He had always thought quickly and dared to face realities. He was now facing his hardest reality. He loved her with utter hopelessness. Her eyes told him that it must always be just that way. and yet she had appealed tc him-she had said she needed his friendship To call it love would u,ske 1t necessary for her to decline 1t Henceforth life for Anse Havey was to mean a heartache, but if she want ed his allegiance she might call il what she would. It was hers.
 Swiftly he vowed in his heart to sci seal on his lips and play the part shs lad assigned to him.
 I'm right glad ye said that" he an sured her. q reckon ye're right reckon we can go on fightin' and bein friends. Ye see, as said. didn't know much about womenfolks, an because liked ye I was worried"
 She nodded understandingly.
 Suddenly he bent forward and hi! words broke impetuously from hii lips.
 Do ye Tow to marry that man Nal colm?' He came a step toward her then raising his hand swiftly, he add ed: "No-don't answer that question That's your business. didn't have nt license to ask Besides. I don't wan ye to answer It."
 Its bargain. isn't it?" she smiled Whenever you get lonely over ther' Sy yourself and find that Hamlet ism as lively a companion as you want CT that Alexander the Great is httii too fond of himself. or Napoleon .l overmoody. come over here and wei try to cheer each other up."
 "I reckon" he said with an answer ing smile. I'm liable to feel that wa! tonight. but ain't comin' to learn civ! lization. I'm just comin' to see you
 cTo BE CONTINUED)