Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-25


Main street? Come to the door just a
minute and see the way they've lighted
the arches She knew just the ex-
preston of his eyes that went with
that tone She looked vexedly ut him
TO confirm her suspicion Sure enough
there in the brown part and in the lids.
1t was, the most troublesome possible
kind of an expression-hard to be reso-
lutte against Her eyes fell away, but
some damage had been done. He did
not say another word. None seemed
necessary. He just kept still and
sonlething-nO one could have said
just what-seemed to talk for him to
poor defenselcss Nan. She hesitated
helplessly. Il can't leave uncle she
objected at last.
ASK him to come along"
Her eyes huttered about the dimly
lighted hail. II ought not to leave"
IN stay here ut the door while YOU
CO."
Irresolute, she let her eyes rest
ugain for fraction Of q second on his
eyes; when she drew breath after
that pause everything was over. I'D
better give him his medicine first" she
said, looking toward the sickroOm door.
His monosyllabic answer was calm ).
"DO." Then as she laid her hand on
the knob of the door to enter the room ::
"Can | help any?"
"Oh, no" she cried Indignantly.
He laughed silently: "I'll stay here"
Nan disappeared. Lounging against
the windowsill opposite the door, he
waited. After long time the door
was stealthily reopcned. Nan tiptoe,l
out. She closed It softly behind her
II waited for him to 90 to sleep" she
explained as she started down the cor.
rldor with De Spain. Hes had sc
much pain today--l hope he sleeps
II hope SO, too" exclaimed De Spain
fervently.
Nan ignored the Implication. She
looked straight ahead. She had moth
ing to say. De Spain, walking beside
her, dcvonred her with his eyes: lis
tened to her footballs tried TO make
talk: but Nan was silent.
Standing on the wide veranda out
side the front door, she assented 10
the beauty Of the distant illumination
but not enthusiastically. De Spain
declared 1t could be seen very much
better from the street below. Nan
/ thought she could see very well where
they stood. but by this time she was
answering qucstions-dryly, 1t is true
and in monosyllables, but answering
De Spain leading the way step OF
/ two forward at Il time, coaXed her
down the driveway.
She stood again irresolutc, he drink
ing in the fragrance of her presence
after the tong separations and playing
her reluctance guardedly. "Do yor
know" she exclaimed with sudden re-
sentiment, you make it awfully hare
to be mean to you?"
With laugh he caught her hant
and made her walk down the hospita
steps. you may he as mean as yol
like" he answered indi1crently. sony
never ask me TO be mean to YOU
II wish to heaven you would be-
she retorted.
"Do you remember he asked, "wha
we were doing Il year ago today?"
mo" Before he could speak agaiI
she changed her answer: "Ycs. | d,
remember. If | said no you'd be sur,
to remind me of what we were doing
We can't see as well here as we coult
from the steps"
"But from here, you have the hes
view in Sleepy Cat of Music mountain.
1--WE didn't come out here to see Mu
sic mountain
II come here often to look at IT. You
won't let me see yo,l-~what can | Il,
but look ut where you live? How Ion,
are You going to keep me away"
Nan did not answer. He urged he
TO speak, You know very well 1t i
my people that will never be frien1l,
with YOU she replied. GLOW can
be?'
They were passing lawn settee
He sat down. She would not follow
She stood in a sort of protest ut hi
side, but he did not release her hand
"I'll tell you how You can be-" he re
turned. Make me one of your people.
"rhat never can be-" she dcclare
stubbornly. "You know IL as well Il
! do. Why do you say such thingsy
she demanded, drawing away her hanc
DO you want TO known
mo"
ITS because love you"
She strove to command herself
whether you do or not can't max
any difference" she returned steadll,
I'VE are separated by everythin.
There's a gulf between MS. 1t neve
cnn be crossed. We should both o
us be wretched if II ever were crossed.
He had risen from the bench an
caught her hand. ITS because "
haven't crossed 1t we're wretcled," h
said dcterminedly. Gross II with m
now " He caught her in his arm,
She struggled to escape. She knc,
what was coming and fought to kee