Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-06-29
A Declaration of Love.

CHAPTED CVIII.
Haven't you heard that a singer
seldom has a good speaking voice?"
again tried to put at least natural
ness into my voice.
Yes, but It does not apply in your
case May | make a guess?"
AS to WHAT"
ut was Julia Collins whose voice
was praised Am right?"
Yes. l could not deny 1t II I
would. II is too patent" could not
help glancing across the room where
George was bending over the "lovoly
Julia" And really she has won.
derful voice. l think l never have
heard n more musical one"
"Sou are very generous, Helen
he stopped moment. then in low
intense voice he went on" I love
you" His quiet earnestness was very
convincing. "Will you-do you care
70 me? may be a rotter to tell
YOU this; to ask You to care for me,
But will you he kind and ~ YOU are
unhappy with Howard-let me make
you happy"
"Oh, Mr.. Cray" l commenced,
Then stopped. had perhaps given
him reason to say things to me;
/
listen. But-what kind Of things was
George saying to Julia Collins? His
attitude had been that of lover all
the eSHning.
~PlayinG With Fire.
That l was deliberately playing
with fire, and that might be burned
never entered my head, That when
| I gave room to the thought that
Georges actions excused anything l
might do was on dangerous ground
did not occur to me. Strangely
enough I did not resent what Mer-
ton had said, save that I resented the
fact that George by his neglect had
given him the opportunity.
You like me I know it," he went
on in the same quiet, convincing
tones. "You have shown plainly that
You do. II Is but step, dear, from
/ liking 10 loving--I will be very good
TO you" he waited.
"Oh, / am so sorry! I never
thought that you cared that way"
| then / flushed crimson as l remem-
hered Evelyn's declaration that he
was madly in love with me.
II know. You are loyal little
soul. But why not take your happi-
ness now while you are young? Why
wait until you are all worn out with
| the struggle? You look so unhappy
tonight. 1t breaks my heart"
7 wonder IL anyone can conceive
how such sympathetic talk appealed
to me? MY heart was sore and sick.
| T had been morbidly unhappy for
days. That he, popular, handsome,
talented, should be heartbroken be-
cause Of me seemed almost impossi-
Bile, at the same time it healed my
hunt. Had I given up to my emo
tions 7 should have thrown myself
into his arms and said:
Take met No one else wants me" >"
It is perhaps fortunate that we
were where such a course was i'm
possible. No matter how unhappy |
was conventions had to be respected.
think Merton read what was going
on in my mind, He rose and stood
before me.
II must leave you. It won't do for
me to monopoliZe you. I will see you
tomorrow afternoon. Until then re-
member, dear, that l love you that
want you; and that I will make you
happy IL It is in the power OF man
to do So" Then without a word he
moved away just as Madgep Loring
called out:
"You should be ashamed to be so
greedy Mr.. Gray hasn't spoken to
me this evening"
ct will not only speak but dance
with you now il you will honor me"
he said drawing her hand through
his arm.
I was so thankful did not have
to speak. | knew he had acted as
he had to save me the necessity.
How wondrously kind and thought
ful he was How could I help caring
for him?
on the way home George talked
very little was too busy with my
thoughts to resent u as I usually
did He asked me II l had enjoyed
myself.