Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-28
CHAPTER XIII
ehections-Mirrored and Otherwise

MI MStJlE was sui SlltlnB III tne DIE
A'A chair. with her face in her hands, when
the door opened and Mr.. Smith came in. He
was very white.
Miss Maggie. dropping her hands and
starting up at his entrance. caught a glimpse
OF his face in the mirror in front of her. with
a furtive. angry dab of her fingers a. her
wet eyes. she fell to rearranging the vases
ana photographs on the mantel.
"oh, back again. Mr.. Smith she greeted
him. with studied unconcern.
Mr.. Smith shut the door and advanced
determinedly.
Miss Maggie, I've got to face this thing
out, OF course. Even il I had-made a botch
of things at the very start, It didn't help any
Toto run away as 1 did. And was a
coward to do it. 1t was only because Il
But never mind that. I'm coming now
straight to the point. Miss Maggie, will you
marry me?"
The photograph in Miss Maggie's hand fell
face down on the shelf. Miss Maggie's
fingers caught the edge of the mantel in a
convulsive grip. A swift glance in the mirror
before her disclosed Mr.. Smiths face just
over her shoulder. earnest, pleading, and still
very white. She dropped her gaze. and
turned half away. She did not want to meet
Mr.. Smiths eyes just then. She tried to speak,
but only a half-choking little breath came.
Then Mr.. Smith spoke again.
Miss Maggie. please don't say no-yet.
Let me-explain-about how | came here. and
all that. But first, before l do that, let me
tell you how-how | love you-how I have
loved YOU all these long months. l think l
loved you from the first time I saw you.
Whatever comes. | want you to know that.
And II you could care for me a little-juS a
little. I'm sure | could make il more-in time,
so you would marry me. And we would be so
hSppy Don't you believe I'd try to make
you happy-dear?"
Yes, oh, yes murmured Miss Maggie.
still with her head turned away.
Good Then all you've got to say is that
you'll let me try. And we will be happy.
dear! Why. until l came here to this little
house, ! didn't know nhat living. real living
was. And | have been. just as you said, a
selfish old thing"
Miss Maggie. with "A start of surprise. faced
the image In the mirror but Mr.. Smith was
looking at her. not at her reflection, so she
did not meet his eyes.
why. I never she ~stammered.
Yes. you did. a minute ago. Don't YOU
remember? Oh. Of course. YOU didn't realize
everything and perhaps you wouldn't have
said it if you'd known. But you said it-and
you mean ii. and I'm glad you said it. And,
dear little woman. don't you see? That's only
another reason why you should say yes. You
can show me how not to be selfish"
But. Mr.. Smith. IT," stammered
Miss Maggie. still with puzzled eyes.
Yes. you can. You can shoE. me how to
make life really worth while, for me, and
for-for lots of others. And now I have some
one to care for. And. oh. little woman, II
care so much. it can't be that you-you don't
care-any -
Miss Maggie caught her breath and turned
away again.
Don't you care-a little?"
The red crept up Miss Maggie's neck to her
forehead. but still she was silent.
IF ] could only see your eyes" pleaded the
man. Then, suddenly. he saw Miss Maggie's
face in the mirror. The next moment Miss
Maggie herself turned a little. and In the
mirror their eyes met-and in the mirror
Mr.. Smith found his answer.
You do Care--a little ~ he breatbe6, as
he took her in his arms.
But I don't :" Miss Maggie shook her head
vigorously against his coat-collar.
what" Mr.. Smiths clasp loosened a little.
"I care-a great deal" whispered Miss
Maggie to the coat-collar, with shameless
emphasis.
"You-darling :" triumphed the man bestow-
ing "a rapturous kiss on the tip of a small
pink ear-the nearest point to Miss Mag
gie's lips that was available. until. with
tender determination. he turned her race TO
his.
A moment later. blushing rosily, Miss Mag.
gle drew herself away.
"There. we've been quite silly enough--old
folks like us"
We're not silly. Love is never silly-not
real love like ours. Besides, we're only as
old as we feel. DO you feel old? ! don't.
I've lost-years since this morning. And
YOU know I'm jus, beginning to live-really
live, anyway! I feel-twenty-one."
I'm afraid you act it," said Miss Maggie,
with mock severity.
you would-if you'd been through what |
have" retorted Mr.. Smith. drawing a long
breath. And when ! think what a bo,ch |
made of II. to begin with-You see, | didn't
mean to start off with that first thing and
I was so afraid that-that even If you did
care for John Smith. you wouldn't for me
lust at first. But you do, dear" At arms
length he held her off, his hands on. her
shoulders. His happy eyes searching her
face saw the dawn of the dazed question.
wouldn't care for you If l did for John
smith Why, you are John Smith. What
do YOU mean ?" she demanded. her eyes slow
" sweeping him from head to foot and back
again. What do you mean?"
Miss Maggie !" Instinctively his tongue
went back to the old manner Of address. but
his hands still held her shoulders. You don't
mean-you can't mean that-that you didn't
understand-that you don't understand that
am Oh, good Heavens, Well, | have
made a mess of II this time" he groaned.
Releasing his hold OH her shoulders. he turn
ed and began to tramp up and down the
room. Nice little John Alden-Miles Standish
affair this is now. upon my word Miss Mag
pie, have I got toto propose to you all over
again for-for another man, now?'
"For-another man! II don't think |
understand you" Miss Maggie had grown a
little white.
"Then you don't know-you didn't under
stand. a few minutes ago. when IL spoke
first, when | asked you about-abou those
twenty millions
She lifted her hand quickly, pleadingly.
Mr.. Smith. please. don't let's bring money
into It at all. | don't care-l don't care a
bit II you haven't got any money!
Mr. Smiths jaw dropped.
IF T haven't got any money - ne ejaculat-
ed stupidity.
NO! oh, yes, l know, | said I loved
money" The rich red came back to her face
in a food. But I didn't mean And it's
lust as much of a test and an opportunity
when you don't have money-more so, II
ANYTHING. | didn't mean it-that way. |
never thought of-of how you might take 1t
as If / wanted it. ! don't. Indeed. l don't!
oh. can't you-understand?"
Understand! Good Heavens - Mr.. Smith
threw up both his hands. And l thought
I'd given myself away! Miss Maggie" He
came to her and stood close. but he did not
- A.. -, hAr ct thnnoht affair ia oa,a