The Press., 1919-01-16

cause I'm from the city, I suppose" He paused. "If-if you people came to town. we'd treat you better than that"
 "Dick, please don't-quarrel'' she begged him.
 "'rhen I'll quarrel on anOthe suD- feet" he retorted with smile. you told me you were coming to tie city once to study music. Why didn't you?"
 "For two reasons" she answered. "One was the conditions home. Since mother died dads been leaning on me. couldn't bear to leave him alone" She wistfully pulled up sev- eral blades of grass. And. besides, I like YOU. would not fit in-in the city,"
 Nonsense he exclaimed impa- tiently; then he patted her hand reas- suringly. "They'd love you in the city. See here Marian. I want you to visit us-for month. Your father could get along without you that long, and my mother would be delighted to have you. And I want you to meet my friends. AS for myself" leaning clos CT to her, "I want you too. You've ai- ways been my sweetheart. Now l want to have you in the city, to com pare you with our girls there. l know you'll fit in-there can be no doubt of that"
 She shook her head, and a long ar gument ensued, but in the end, as he rose to take her back to the house, he won her promise to visit his mother. "A kiss, Marian, to bind the bar gain," he urged. and shyly. she turned her lips to his.
 One afternoon, a month later, dusty figure strode up the path to the Skill man home and pulled the old brass / knocker. But he received no response even after loud "hello." Then he went to the edge of the orchard, and looking down the hill toward the brook | he saw a figure in white sitting on the bank.
 A minute later Marian turned. then | rose to her feet stiffly. i've been looking for you, Marian, ne announced breathlessly. Did you get my letter."
 Yes" she admitted briefly, her face .,yerted.
 Marian. dearest, what's the mat ter?" he cried, taken abaok. "Aren'' you glad to see mef" She gazed at him for an instant then seating herself on a wide, flat topped rock, motioned to him to si, down.
 ''Dick." she started, eyeing hirr strangely, ''why are you here?"
 ITO see you, of course" he replied aykwardly. ITO take you back with me for good"
 She shook her head winsomely. "Pleasc, Dick. don't say that" she pleaded. Come. let's be honest with each other. When I said good-by td You In the city I meant good-by."
 "Why?" he demanded, dumbly.
 You know as well as l." She me, his questioning stare frankly. II tried your city. Every day was torture
 You and your friends tried to be nice hut It wasn't real. I could feel they were making fun of me-of my clothes of my talk-everything. Your life
 and mine are different. And you were ashamed of me, Dick" She made ( hasty gesture. Don't deny it, Dick. wasn't like your girls. l didn't have their finish, their poise-all that you look for in girl. IT didn't fit in.' oh ho and took her hand. Marian, Pm ashamed" he admitted hoarsely. You're right about one thing. judged you by your setting. was wrong, We're all wrong. But Marian, didn't stop loving you. You're
 right about my friends. They do judge , that way And they made me doubt if loved you. And then you left. She felt thrill run through his body
 The answer came to me like a bol ! from the blue The jewel-strippet from Its setting-still had its glamour ] it's brilliancy. So I've come back-tt tell you l want you. We must hell each other. You help me to gain tht love of your friends, 0nd I'll make mine love you as l do. We'll compro mise. We can live here--and I'll keeT on working in the city. And together , we'll bring 1he city and country closer
 together. and glean the best out O both. Will you-agree?' A moment later the "city feller" wht didn't fit in. and the rustic jewel. wht didn't either. found their mutual fit il