The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-08-31

were right ABOUT LnhI, as you Wcfs
about so many other things. Well
I'm going to try to earn it,
"Is that--all you wantf' she asked
and then, hearing the little gasp he
gave, she swung around quickly and
looked at him. 1t was pretty dark In
the room, but his face In the dusk
seemed to have whitened.
rs friendship all you want OF me,
Roddy7' she asked again. She stood
there waiting q full minute, In silence.
Then she said: "You don't have TO
tell me that. Because know. OH
oh, my dear, how well known
He didn't come to her; just stood
there, gripping the corner of her book
case and staring at her silhouette,
which was about all he could see OF
her against the window. AT last he
said. In a strained. dry voice she'd
hardly have known for his:
III you know that--lf I've let you see
that then I've done just about the last
despIcable thing there was left for me
to do. I've come down here and
made you feel sorry for me. SO that
with that--diyine kindIiness OF yours,
you're willing to give me--every-
thing"
He Strengthened up and came step
nearer. well, won't have II, tell
you. don't know how you guessed.
RI I'd dreamed was betraylng that to
you Don't I know--it's
burnt into me SO that I'll never forget
what the memory OF my love must
be 10 your The memory OF the hide
Gus things It's done 10 you? And now,
after all that--after you've won your
ght--nlone-and stand where you
stand now--for me to come begging
And take gift like that tell you
II Is pity. II can't be anything else"
There WINS another minute of silence,
and then he heard her make little
noise In her throat, noise that would
have been a sob had there not been
something like laugh In 1t. The next
moment she said "Come over here,
Roddy" and as he hesitated, MS IL he
hadn't understood, she added Il want
you to look at me. Over here, where
there's light enough to see me by"
Flo came, wonderlngly, very slowly
but at last with her outstrctched hand
she reached him and drew him around
between her and the window.
Look into my face" she commanded.
Look into my eyes--as far In MS you
can. Oh, my dearest" the sob Of
pure Joy came agaln--"is 1t pity that
you see? Don't you understands"
lie did understand II with his mind,
but he was a little dazed, like one who
has stood too near where the light
ming struck. The hope he had kept
buried alive so long--buried alive be
cause 1t wouldn't die--could not h'
brought out into a binding glory lik'
this without pain--exqusite, terrify
Ing pnin.
The knowledge she had acquired b
her own suffering stood her in goo
stead now. She did not mistake q
the Rose he had married might hay
done, the weakness Of his response IL
GOODNESS -lndlfference She led hi
over TO her one big chair and mad
him sit down in Il. settled herse
upon the arm Of II, and contente
herself with one Of his hands. Pre-
emily he took one Of hers. bent h
face down over II, and brushed tn
back Of 1t with his lips.
The timidlty of that caress, with a
II revealed TO her. was too much II
her. She swallowed one sob, and Al
other, but the next one got away frol
her and she broke out In II passionate I
Of weeping. That reused him from h
daze little. and he pulled her dow
IN his arms~-held her tlght--comfor
ed her When she got herself In han
again. she got up, went away to was
her face, and. coming back In the roo
again, lighted reading lamp al
drew down the blinds.
Rose" he said presently, "what al
we going to do?"
"Shall we make II real honeymoo
Roddy-make 1t as complete as v
can2 Forget everything and let d
the world be .
| AAt NhHHiAtu AHt NbIu LUZ iltft NUS
color?"
She accepted 1t with little laul
."for whlle2"
That's what l was fumhllng for
he said, "but can't think We
straight tonight. I've got 1t no,
, though. That cottage we had-befo
the twins were born--down on Il
, Cape. There won't be soul the
this time of year. We'd have Il
world to ourselves"
} "Yes." she said, "for little viii
we'd want II like that. But after
/ while-after II day or two, could y
have the babies2 Could the nur
bring them on TO me and then
, straight back, so that could ha
: them. and you, all together?"
Q He said. "You darlingr But
/. couldn't manage more than that.
: At the entrance and just out
/ range Of the elevator man, he kiss
y her good night"
L But will you telephone to me
Y soon ms you wake up in the morning,
that TIL knny ifiS trua9v