The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-03-30

D~~~--
of the town. Diane had shrewd idea
that the Alaskan had put his fortune
| to the test, and she not only let her
cousin alone herself, but Tended Cor
don from her adroitly.
The third day after the dinner 81
| hot dropped around to the Pagets with
intent to get Sheba into a set Of ten
mis-. Diane sat on the porch darning
socks.
"Sheba is out walking with Mr.. Mac
donald" she explained Ia answer to a
question as to the whereabouts Of her
guest.
"Oh, he's back, is he?" remarked
Gordon modify.
'He came back this morning. Sheba
has gone up with him to see the Lucky
Strike"
'You're going to marry her to that
man If you can, aren't YOUR he
charged.
'If / can, Gordon" She slipped O
darning ball into one of little Peters
stockings and placidly trimmed the
hole.
"It's what I call conspiracy"
as itT' Diane smiled.
| Gordon understood her smile to
mean he was jealous.
| maybe am. That's not the point
he answered, just as If she had made
her accusation in words.
Suppose you tell me what the point
u.s." she suggested.
"He isn't good enough for her. You
know that perfectly WE'LL"
"Good enoughW She shrugged her
shoulders. "What man is good enough
for nice girl, If you come to thatl
There are other things besides sugary
goodness. ANY man who is strong can
make himself good enough for the
woman he loves.''
Generally speaking. yes. But Colby
Macdonald is different"
THANK heaven he u.s." she retorted
impatiently. Then added after a mo-
ment: "He isn't Sunday-school SUI
perintendent If that's what you mean
'"That isn't what I mean at all. But
there's such thing as difference
between right and wrong, isn't thereT'
"Oh, yes. For instance, Mr.. Mac
donald is right about the need of de-
veloping Alaska and the way to do it,
and you are wrong"
"pm not talking about essential
right and wrong. Miss O'Neill Is ideal
izing Macdonald. 1 don't suppose
you've told her, for instance, that he
made his first money in the North
running dance hail."
"No, 1 haven't told her any such
thing, because it isn't true" she re-
piled scornfully HE owned an opera
house and brought in a company Of
players. dare say they danced.
That's very different, rs you'd know If
you didn't have astigmatism of the
mind"
"Not the way the story was told me.
But let that pass. Does she know that
Macdonald beat her father out of one
of the best claims on Bonanza and was
indirectly responsible for his death?'
whats the use Of talking nonsense,
Gordon. You know you can't prove
that" his friend told him sharply
Il think can--if 1t Is necessary"
Diane looked across at him with an
impudent little tilt of the chin. II
don't think I like you as well as I
used to-"
Sorry, because I'd like you Just az
well, Diane, IL you would stop trying
to manage your cousin into marriage
that will spoil her life" he answered
gravely. ''The happiness of Miss
O'Neill is of very great Importance to
me-"
do you mean-3" Wide-cyed, she
looked her question straight at him.
'That's just what / mean, Diane"
She darned for minute in silence.
1t had occurred to Diane before that
perhaps Gordon might be in love with
Sheba, but she had put the thought
from her bacause she did not want
to believe 1t.
"Thats different, Gordon. It OK.
plains-an1 In way excuses--your
coming here and trying to bully me-"
She stopped her work to flash a ques-
ton at him. "Don't you think that
maybe it's only fancy of yours? I
remember you used"
He shook his head. .No chance.
Diane. I'm hard hit. She's the only
girl / ever met that suited me. Every
thing she does Is right. Every move
she makes is wonderful"
The eyes with which she looked at
him were softer, as those of women
are wont to be for the true romance.
"You poor boy" she murmured, and
let her hand for moment rest on his.
Meaning that / lose?" he asked
quickly.
IT think you do. I'm not sure.n
Elliot leaned forward impulsiyeIy.
"Be good sport, Diane. Let me have
my chance, too. Why do you make
a.