The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1917-02-08

ellis reputation for fearlessness
came from his brazen attack on
our party" he objected, ridicule
in his tone. "Thc world seems to.
belong to the impudent."
"But the party has never an
swered that attack" she re-
minded him.
"Why should it," Mannersly
asked in real surprise. "Why
should anybody answer him9 l
wouldn't"
She regarded him a moment out
Of grave eyes.
81 wish,' she said, "you could
see the right of what he asks. As
chairman Of the committee on
amendments to the constitution, it
is you who stand in his way. And
[ would SO like to see him win."
Mannersley's eyes showed his
chagrin.
That" he said, sis the very
reason [ am here this afternoon"
what has that to do with it
my wishing that you and he might
cooperate
She regretted the question as
soon as she had asked it.
He leaned toward her suddenly,
some of the f1oridness fading from
his face, and, when he spoke, his
voice trembled with what was, for
him, great emotion.
"Simply this" he said. "He and
| never can cooperate-and | love
you. L want you to marry me-"
He was speaking very rapidly.
"And the thought Of your-your
considering him is more than l can
stand"
Although she had sensed what
was coming, his frank declaration
surprised her, so much so that she
hesitated a moment before she put
the laughing question:
care you proposing to me, Mr..
Mannersly, or correcting my visit
ing listG"
"He's attempting to destroy
me,' he insisted excitedly. She
had never seer him so moved. IF
his motives, which you admire so
greatly, prevail, he will destroy
me. Can't you understand what I
meanP Political destruction would
not matter if he did not adorn it
with your approval"
"Oh," she said regretfully,
"you exaggerate me, and"
The expression on his face made
her turn in her chair and look to-
ward the door. Wales, the butler,
had lifted the hangings.
"Mr. Smith! !" he announced.
Mannersley got to his feet in
stantly, and was saying goodby to
Edith as Smith entered the room.
The agitator came forward swiftly
and took her hand. He turned to
M~annersley, greeting him with
almost excessive politeness.
Mannersley bowed stiffly.
"When are you leaving?"
Smith inquired pleasantly.
"Surely," said Mannersley at
the door, "you are not interested
in that"
"On the contrary" Smith re-
piled, 81 am. / want to have a
talk with you before you get
away"
"Oh!" the other said dryly, as
he took his departure.
"I'm sorry he was so-shall we
say crude?" Smith said, taking
the chair Mannersley had vacated.
cts an imposition on you to be
annoyed by the differences that
grow out of this fight"
She was relieved immensely by
Mannersley's departure.
Nothing about it annoys me-"
she said seriously. Sometimes I
wish I could help-the fight"
He looked gratified.
"You have, tremendously" he
told her. EVERY time I talk with
you, you give me new inspira-
ton" .
He sprang out of his chair, with
one of his sudden movements, and
leaned against the mantel.
THAT sounds trite and made
quate," he supplemented; "but
it's more than true"
"I'm glad" she answered,
looking up to him for a moment.
"I like it, really-the atmosphere
of fight, the knowing that you're
going to win in the end. And
there's something so very exciting
in knowing the mysterious Mr.