Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-09-26

you?" He leaned a little nearer, and
forced her to meet his gaze. II cad
make you happy; I car make you love
me. I can give you all that a woman
could ask"
rt"Yes, but"
BE interrupted her quickly. "Per.
haps I've surprised and confused you
by my impulsiveness," he continued.
"But I've had no chance to meet you
socially. Perhaps right now you don't
feel as I do, but I can teach you to feel
that way. I a give you everything
money, social position, everything
that's worth having-and love. I'm
not an empty-headed boy. 1 can make
you love me-"
"You couldn't" Hazel answered fiat.
ly. There was a note of dominance
In that last statement that Jared IN
her. Mr.. Bush was too sure Of his pow
ers. "And 1 have no desire to expert
ment with my feelings as you sug.
gest-not for all the wealth and social
position in the world. 1 would have
to love a man to think of marrying
him-and I do. But you aren't the
man. I appreciate the compliment
of your offer, and I'm sorry to hurt
you, hut 1 can't marry you"
His face clouded. "You are en-.
gaged?"
Eyes"
He got up and stood over her. ITO
some self-centered cu1)-some puny
egotist in his twenties, who'll make
you a slave to his needs and whims,
and discard you for another woman
when you've worn out your youth and
beauty" he cried. "But you won't
marry him. I won't let you"
Miss Weir rose. 81 think I shall go
home" she said steadily.
"You shall do nothing of the sort !
There is NJ sense in your running
away from me and giving rise to gos-
sip-which will hurt yourself only"
Il am not running away, but I can't
stay here and listen to such things
from You. It's impossible, under the
circumstances, for me to continue
working here, so I may as well go
now"
Bush stepped past her and snapped
the latch on the Office door. 81 shan't
permit it," he said p~assionately.
"Girl. you don't seem to realize what
this means to me. l want you-and
I'm going to have you!"
"Please don't be melodramatic, Mr..
Bush"
"Melodramatic! If it is melodrama
for a mar to show a little genuine feel
ing, Pm guilty. But I was never more
in earnest in my life. I want a chance
to win you. I value you above any
woman l have ever met. Most women
that"
"Most women would jump at the
chance" Hazel interrupted. swell,
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 marriageY he remarked.
Exactly. It's the only thing to do
under the circumstances"
"Give me a chance to show YOU that
l can make you happy" he pleaded.
Don't leave. Stay here where I can
at least see you and speak to you. I
won't annoy you. And you can't tell.
After you get over this surprise you
might find yourself liking me better"
"That's just the trouble" Hazel
pointed out. eff I we're here you
would be bringing this subject up in
spite of yourself. And that can only
cause pain. I can't stay"
II think you had better reconsider
that" he said; and a ,peculiar-an
u~gly--light crept into his eyes, unless
you desire to lay yourself open to be-
Ing the m~ost-talked-of young woman
in this town, where you were born,
where all your friends live"
"That sounds like a threat, MI.
Bush. What do you mean?"
II 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 l want. And I 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
a position In Granville. Also, you may
find yourself losing the-er-regard of
this-ah-fortunate individual upon
whom you have bestowed your affec-
lions; but you'll never lose mine," he
burst out wildly. When you get done
butting your head against the wall
that will mysteriously rise in your
way, I'll be waiting for you. That's
how / love. I've never failed in any
thing I eve undertook, and I don't
care how I fight, fair or foul, go that
I WIN"