The Palatka news and advertiser., 1917-09-28

l have known you because of wha
Jack Moore said about you" Sh'
paused.
What was that?" said Harding
moodily.
"Well, believe me, when Dick Hard
ing falls in love with a girl anC
wants her to marry him, l can SEE
her finish. She had just as we'll give
in first as last, because he never will.
He whirled about with dancing
light in his eyes that made her sud.
denly remember he had been called
Daredevil Dick" at college.
"Did you want me 10 fall in love
with you?" he asked.
"Oh, not at ALL" she spoke hur-
riedly, a little shaken from her self
possession. 81 only hoped to stand
by and see the irresistible Mr.. Hard
ing in action"
The reckless light died out of his
eyes as suddenly as it had come.
I'm sorry not to oblige you," he
said and added very quietly, 81 can't
have what other men have"
Christine knew what was in his
mind. She had heard how ten years
before, when he himself was just out
of college, his father had died sudden
ly, leaving nothing to his family, and
how Harding, giving up all thought
of his cherished career, and planned
and worked with all his energies for
the comfort of his mother and sis
ters. Jack Moore had told her how
bravely and cheerfully he had gone
about it all with never a word of re-
gret or complaint, and as she thought
of it her heart cried out with fierce
tenderness. "He deserves to be hap
py. It's a shame if he isn't. But
the willy feminine tongue of her made
answer gently, T'm sorry, l forgot
that you have your bands too full
to think of adding to the bur-
den."
Harding spoke scornfully. ado you
suppose that is what I meant? |
could take care of my wife, never
fear. I'd work harder than I do
now, and be glad and proud to do it
for her. But I have so many to di-
vide with that l couldn't give her what
she had been used to"
perhaps she wouldn't be used to so
much" broke in Christine.
eyes, she would 1t would be Just
my luck to fall in love with that
kind"
Don't you think she would willing !
y give it up if she cared for YOU"
"I'll never ask her to-" he answered .
"Now that" she said, "is what some
me has called the blockheadedness Of !
he high-souled. Because you can't
give a girl all you want to, you are
yoing to let her wear her heart out in
onelines3 and longing. Don't YOU
;now a woman who truly loves man
would rather have what little he can
rive her than live in a palace with
,ut him? God saw fit to make most
# US that way"
"But I'd none the less be a selfish
,easts to ask her to do it, he in
listed.
ooh. you men," she walled. "You
Won't let US be happy except accord
NO to your ideas. Why do you every
ne think money is all we need or
,ant %
Harding faced her. "Take YOUR
elf, for example. You have always
ad everything. Seriously and in all
ruth. how would you like to give it
p for what I can Offer"
The girl wondered if he could hear 5
ne beating of her heart, but she met
is eyes bravely. T'd be happy in 5
dug-out with you if you could make {
le love you"
Harding's look never LETT her face. 5
lis own had gone white, and on
Idden great light famed into his I
YES. He caught his breath sharply. t
I'd give my soul to do it," he said.
With Joy and terror in her heart S
le girl answered mockingly. daring !
IN, "Yon might try. It's never been /
one yet" ,
H2rdinga voice, when he spoke, Vt
I'D a note of grim determination, s
f I once try, I'll never give up. I G
arm YOU"
The grey eyes held the blue ones 8
ith comnelling force until the blue .,
'ddeslv wavered and fell
~ dsspise a quitter!" their owner s.
id.