American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-04-25

When | heard MS Nolce-oh' JIM!
and the expression in Aileen's face
made Jim look hastily away.
"All lie said was, May I call
tonight? ' and / said, Yes. at o."
But you're going to tie theater
with me- said Jim. you promised,
you know"
IF he asked me to marry him." said
the girl, "rd-Td do IT.
Jim's face went white.
AS lin left her at her studio door
his face looked drawn n tense in
the semi darkness.
May ! drop in later?' he asked.
81 d like to meet him.
AiIeen nodded abscntly. She seemed
to be far off in another world. jim
turned abruptly. and went down The
stairs.
She chose Il clinging rose chiffon
and in the soft folds Of lace, she pinned
fine great Opal-the stone her mother
had wo.n-and her mother before her,
ptrlaps on such & night as this.
AS o'clock drew nearer Aileen went
into the studiO-the air seemed lmpos-
/ SlhIt 10 IIttlllt III oiN
tho windows and walked up and down.
Nine o'clock! The strain was tell
ing on the girl. 1t had never occurred
to her that he might not come.
AT five minutes past 9 the girl man.
aged to get to her feet-and then
the sharp ring of the bell so'lnueu
through the studio!
For a moment all strength seemed
TO leave her. The door was miles
away. 1t was almost an eternity be-
fore she could cross the room n
open it.
A man, in faultless evening dress,
with the pale face of a Greek god,
stepped into the room.
The girl in the rose-colored gown
could only look at him. She knew
she must say something.
At last she managed to mur.nur q
faint greeting.
Then the man seemed to realize that
his eyes had never left her face.
81 cannot tell you how I appreciate
: this privilege you have given me" he
said.
e His voice relieved the tension. The
instincts of the hostess returned to
= her.
{ 81 nave many old h%eirlOOms," aid
the girl, and she turned hastily and
pointed out some rare porcelalns, q
painting or two, and several old tapes
: tries.
v The man came nearer.
Its no use" he said 1--WE can't talE,
) YOU and I've can only feel. There's
Just one thing for you and me, sweet
heart"
- And before Aileen knew what had
IL happened the man had seized her
e roughly in his arms,
10 "Now we understand each other"
whispered the man, and he leaned
III over and-kissed her holly on the lips
Ill Then all Aileen's terror left her. 1t
ne seemed as If twenty demons gave her
nj strength to resent that Dissertation.
tn SLOW dare youv" she gasped. "How
l. dare you! !" And the scalding tears OF
It. anger rose to her eyes.
well" sneered the man, what do
at you suppose l came for, ehr'
he Before the lightning In the girls
ne eyes the mans hold relaxed. She frcet
ne herself and faced him with all th'
fury of her fighting ancestors in hel
face.
ISL Leave this room, instantly !" Nh'
ell said. her voice trembling with rase.
The man with the Greek face bowed
10 Quietly he took up his hat and Goa
and walked to the door.
With his hand on the knob, h,
ed paused and looked back at the girl
She was standing in the middle o
he the room as he had left her-not
muscle had relaxed. She might hav
= been a statue of Vengeance and al
the Furies.
I'VE The man turned hastily and the doc
IT,, closed behind him..
Then down went Vengeance and tn
zen Furies in a little pathetic heap on tb
Ant floor.
When Aileen opened her eyes sh
was looking into the big, strong fac
u of Jimmie.
Little girl, what's happenedr' h
| was asking anXiOusly.
I've been such a little fool" sObbe
Aileen. But l don't care, | don't car
IA as long as you are here" and sh
chung to Jimmie with all her might.
i'm, I'm here, dear-eyerything is a
right" he said, and gathered her INT
Il his arms as if she'd been a baby
Jimmie, you1l never leave me, wi
me your murmured the girl.
| "Never," said Jimmie, with cOnvi
ngs ton. "NiH you marry me tonightT'
"Hush," said the girl, I've got
lol. tell you about that-that man 10
I'll never dream about another man
Go long as ! Iive!"
You needn't tell me about hiIn
aid, you don't want to-"
! "Jlm," said the girl, "he wasn't VIII
ant. | thought lie was. He didn't love m
With Jim. He was a thief-he kissed n
H. .tnnlth " nnl hnr nrimsnn fnnn ,ur