The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-02-07

passed by must forever give up the
thought OF love. OF companship, the
feel OF warm little body within my
arms? Or, II not passed by, must /
take what is offered when, unoffered.
there is better which might be mine
If could but overcome the reluctance
entailed by convention and my WON.
anhood, to ask for it,"
Have you started upon this career
tried to speak gravely. to keep the
laugh from his voice. but she felt It.
A slight flush crept into her cheeks.
why do you laugh" she asked re-
sentfully. There would be no dis
grace in my doing so although
should die Of shame when remember
ed"
There is a possibility, you know.
that you may meet rebuff. Have
you thought Of that? Do you think
you could accept it as man would
under like circumstances"
She drew in her breath sharply. 81
have right to happiness" she an.
swered stubbornly. "If It will not
come in the accepted way will fight
for IT. 1t will be hard, but l mus"
Until now he had not taken her
seriously, but there was a strain in
her face, In her figure, in her clasped
hands that made him feel her earn.
cstness. He had known her for many
years and had been constant visitor
in her home and thought he knew her
/ every whim and caprice, but this in.
tenstty, underlying her usual cool
friendliness, took him unawares. He
was frankly uncomfortable.
you told me there were four" she
| said presently, breaking the silence
that had fallen between them They
were not lovers, but II they had been
my choice would not have been made
from among them. They were good
dancers, perfect escorts, desirable as
comrades, but nothing more"
How can YOU say that when you
know what they are doing?" he asked
gravely. DO weaklings go to the bat.
tlefields%
mo. But there was lack hard to
explain. No man among them had
great force Of character; no one Of
them was strong OF purpose, could
shoulder burdens with no thought of
their weight and work at life's pro
blems with logged tenacity that ac-
composites the seemingly impossible.
What they are doing will develop
traits that would have forever lain
dormant but for horrors of this were
not the men to whom / would give
my hearts blood and think nothing
Of the living" She turned to him sud
denly. What is your definition of a
man."
He looked ht her thoughttully.
About the same as yours. think.
Force. integrity, honesty of purpose,
gentleness, consideration for others.
carrying out of the right as he sees
it no matter at what cost to himself"
She nodded. "That is what l want, Z"
she said tensely, "a man not The pre-.
tense of one"
You have found such a one?"
There wSs interest in the question.
You ha We told him that you care?"
He awaited her reply with even great.
err interest.
mot yet, but / will, l must" The
1.-THE answer came haltingly. I'll
oh! Don't you know" She threw
out her hands with little despairing
but don't you know that 1t is you?"
/ She ended in whisper
For an instant the silence was pro.
found. Then lie laughed, full.throat.
ed laugh, in which here was no sting,
for he had caught her two hands with.
in his own and raised first one and
then the other to his lips.
you dear!" he murmured under
his breath. God grant l am worthy
of your belief, that will never dis.
annOint WI, -