Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-03-22
CHAPTER xvli-continued.

Sf7Ap EEK NvIi-Continued.
~
Il think you can understand" said
d. rather YEARLY. that If | cared less,
Christine. it would be easier to inter
ferc."
After all. Christine had known this,
sor surnised it, for weeks. But 1t hurt
alike a fresh stab in an old wound. Ii
was Il. who spoke again after a pause :
The deadly hard thing, of course, is
20 sit by and e things happening that
onc--that one would naturally try to
prevent"
Il don't believe that you have al
ways been of those who only stand and
wait" said Christine, Sometime, X,
when you know me better and like me
setter. want you to tell me about it,
1ill ynu?'
There's very little to tell. / held
a trust. When I discovered that |
@as unfit to hold that trust any longer,
4 quit. That's all"
His tone of tinality closed the discus
sion. But Christine's eyes were on
aim often that evening, puzzled, rather
sad.
They talked of books, of music
Christine played we'll In Il dashing way.
X. had brought her soft, tender little
things, and had stood over her until
lier noisy touch became gentle. She
played for him a little, while he sat
back in the big chair with his hand
screening his eyes.
When, at last, he rose aud picked
sup his cap, it WIS nine O'Clock.
I've taken your whole evening" he
ssai6 rclnorsefully. "Why don't YOU
tell me r am a nuisance and send me
orr
Christine was still ut the piano, her
hands on the keys. She spoke with.
out looking ut him.
you're never q nuisance, X, and"
Something in her tone caught his at
aention.
Il forgot to tell you." she went IN.
FEATHER has given Palmer five thou
sand dollars. He's going TO buy a
share in a business"
"That's fine"
"possibly. l don't believe much in
Yalmer's business ventures"
Her fiat tone still held him. Under
meath it he OWNED strain and repres-
sion.
az hate to go and leave you alone"
ne said Mt last from the door. "liavc
you any idea when Palmer will be
back:" p
"Not the slightGst. X. will you come
acre u moment? Stand behind me; |
don't want to SEE you, and want to
tell you something
He did rs she babe him, rather puz-
xtcd.
"Here I am"
II think I am n fool for saying this.
Perhaps l am spelling the only chance
I have to get any happiness out Of life.
hut l was terribly unhappy, X, and
then you came Into my life. and l.
/ listen for your step in the hall.
j can't be u hypocriie any longer, X"
When he stood behind her, silent and
NJ moving, she turned slowly about
aUd fnced Tim. He lowered there In
the little room, grave eyes on hers.
ats u long time since I have had n
woman friend, Christine" he said So
a,crly. "Your friendship has meant d
;g0od deal. In u good many ways. I'd
not cure tn look ahead If 1t were not
for you. I value our friendship so
anuch that l."
44That you don't want to spoil It,"
slhc finished for him. II know you
don't care for INC. H., not the way l.
Hut I wanted you to know. 1t doesn't
hurt u good ma to know such II
thing. And it--isn't going to stop your
coming here. IL itT
.Of course not" said Il. heartily.
~.But tomorrow. when we are both
.ciear-headed. we will Talk this over.
You are mistaken about this thing.
Christine; 1 am sure Of that. Things
have not been going well. anu just be.
cause l am always around, md oil that
sort Of thing, YOU think things that
aren't really d. I'm only q reaction,
Christine"
He tried to make her smile up Mt
hln. But just then she could not
0nils.
II she had cried. things might have
beeu different for everyone: for per.
lhaps X. would have taken her In his
arms. He was heart.hungry enough,
chose days, for anything. And per.
Aape, too. being intuitive. Christine
feat this. But she had no mind 10
force him into = situation against his
sstli.
III u because you arc good" she
I'D, and held out her hand. "Good.
Olgtt.v
1.a 1foyne took II and bent over and
fiaBcd II lightly. There was In the
.t1ns an that he could not ray Of re.
|1pae4, II affection and understanding.
@Ucodsnlsht Christine." he said. and
INTO - haii and upstairs.
a.NSsltHNf a44tN24 MNWM ENt IN