Judsonia weekly advance., 1918-02-13

Girl, you don't seem to ceel.e wnat this means to me. I want yos and I'm going to have you"
 Please don't be melodranatic, Mr. Bush"
 "Melodramatici If 1t is melodrama for man to show little genuine feel- ing. I'm guilty. But I was never more in earnest in my life. I want chance to win you. I value you above any woman have ever met Most women that"
 "Most women would jump at the chance" Hazel interrupted. Well, I'm not most women. I simply don't care for you as you would want me to-and I'm very sure I never would. And, seeing that you do feel that way, It's better that we shouldn't be thrown together as we are here. That's why I'm going."
 That is to say, you'll resign because I've told you I care for you and pro- posed marriage?" he remarked.
 Exactly. It's the only thing to do under the circumstances"
 "Give me a chance to show you that can make you happy" he pleaded. Don't leave. Stay here where I can at least see you and speak to you. won't annoy you. And you can't tell. After you get over this surprise you might find yourself liking me better"
 "Thats just the trouble" Hazel pointed out. "If I were here you would be bringing this subject up in spite of yourself. And that can only cause pain. I can't stay"
 q think you had better reconsider that" he said; and pecullar-an ugly-light crept into his eyes, unless you desire to lay yourself open to be- ing the most-talked-of young woman in this town. where you were born. where all your friends live"
 "That sounds like threat, MT. Bush. What do you mean?"
 'I mean just what I say. I will admit that mine Is, perhaps, a selfish passion. If you insist on making me suffer, I shall do as much for you. There are two characteristics of mine which may not have come to your at- tention: I never stop struggling for what I want. And l never forgive or forget an injury or an insult. If you drive me to it, you will find yourself drawing the finger of gossip. Also, you will find yourself unable to secure position in Granville. Also, you may find yourself losing the-er-regard of his-ah-fortunate individual upon whom you have bestowed your affec- 1 tions but you'll never lose mine," he l frptf Inr1ld putting your head against the wall that will mysteriously rise in your way, Ill be waiting for you. That's how I love- I've never failed in any thing I ever undertook, and I don't care how I fight, fair or foul, so that I win"
 "This isn't the fifteenth century," Hazel let her indignation flare, "and I'm not at all afraid of any of the things you mention. Even if I weren't engaged, I'd never think of marrying 9 man old enough to be my father--a man whose years haven't given him a sense of either dignity or decency. Wealth and social position don't mod- l ify gray hairs and advancing age. Your threats are an insult. This isn't the stone age. Even if 1t were," she concluded cuttingly, you'd stand a poor chance of winning woman against man like-well-" she shrugged her shoulders, but she was thinking of JacA Barrow's broad shoul- ders, and the easy way he went up a flight of stairs, three steps at time. "Well, any young man."
 Unt, turned to the rack where hung her hat and coat.
 Bush caught her by the shoulders be- fore she took second step.
 "Gray hairs and advancing agei" he said. "So I strike you as approaching senility, do I? I'll show you whether I'm the worn-out specimen you seem to think I am. Do you think I'll give you up just because I've made you angry? Why, I love you the more for 1t; it only makes me the more deter mined to win you"
 You can't. dislike you more every second. Take your hands off me. please. Be a gentleman-if you can." For answer he caught her up close to him, and there was no sign of de- cadent force in the grip of his arms. He kissed her; and Hazel, in blind rage, freed one arm, and struck at him l man fashion, her hand doubled into 1 small fist. By the grace of chance, the blow landed on his nose. There was force enough behind it to draw blood. He stood back and fumbled for his handkerchief. Something that sounded like an oath escaped him.