The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1920-04-09
By HOLWORTHY HALL

make the beginning. "AlI I GIN ex-
plain is that I've made another mis-
take . ;" After the 6rst great effort
the words came tumbling. passi0nate-
iy, unchecked. "Tt would have been
so infinitely better for both OF US If
I'd never met you at all. My life
has been a whole series OF Mistakes
this is the worst The worst. .
OF course, it would be absurdly SIM
Pile if 1 were going away from Syra-
cuse, il I were going to leave you
here. and g0-bur I'm not. I'm going
to stay here. And I cant think it's
decent not to tell you now that il you
d. knew all I know what I've
been, what I've dOue you wouldn't
marry me IL We're the last man left
to ask yout =" He gestured i'm
patiently. Were childisaIy hopeful
sometimes all Of us hoping
for what we know is impossible
what We know always will be imp0s-
sible . I've been Like that-and
what I hoped was that you could take
NE on the basis OF what I've been
for the LAST few months since
July &c.. because that's the way take
myself Just u man--a man-iilSe
Jack Armstrong. I hoped we could
simply eliminate the past, and
I can't ger away from it. It's on my
heels every minute IEs what I am,
now but it I went much further
back than that, you and the doctor
would both think JUST what do about
myself and I'd have to say good
BY to you anyway -. Just as I'm do
ing tonight hope you can see that
I'm not telling all this to you from any
other motive except to be quite honest
with YOU Quite hOnest-fOr once.
care too much about you to let you
Live another day without knowing that
I can't go 0n---it's over. . I'm not
fit to be even your friend. That's
all"
She sat motionless billiard had
turned back to the frepIace.
''Were you as bad is that?" she
whispered.
+Once." he said bitterly, over his
shoulder, st used to be Il gentleman
But that was long time ago
She raised her head Nothing
could ever make me believe she said
that you haven't always been just as
I've known you-since July. Nothing
can, and nothing will What you may
think about Yourself makes 10 differ
ence to NE. +"
"Don'tr' he said, and his tone was
agonized. DON'T you see"
Il don't believe you" she said staad-
lily.
HiIIiard's voice was unstable with
his great bitterness of failure You
fatter NE" he said harshly and be
sides-y0u're wrong"
She was up, and beside him, smiling
braveiy into his eyes, and he was hog
cling his will to keep his hungry arms
from snatching her, from sweeping her
close 60 him. and
what DO you think women are?"
she demanded, with sweet imperious-
ness. Nothing but marble statues
or putty cnes2 just made to stand
around and let the world 60 past
without having anything TO say about
iE?'
He retreated TO the wall in seif-de-
Tense. "Don'rl Don't! I'm THE one
wao's driven myself into this corner
nos your
"But you don't have to stay in II
always. DO you?'
He stared at her in mystiticati0u
Don't be silly" she said, and don't
be- unreasonable I'm not" She
toucI1ef his sleeve his expression was
unchanged. Don't make me think you
are unreasonable I" she said compass
sionateiy. aIf you're not satisfied, why
can't you make yourself what you
want to be-? Instead of bro0ding over
the past. that you can't help, why don't
YOU think about things you can help?
Living is about all there is to live for
isn't itp'
He drew in his breath perilousIy
But I'm letting you 60" he said,
dazsd
She stamped her foot in tramaIous
severity. NO, you're not; won't al
low it, Can't you see why? Do I
have to tell you thar Wei II
I want you for a friend even
If you don't want NE"
"want you {" be cried. and renIem- (
bered himself, and froze to immobdIty.
"Oh.-as a friend -
Surely, as a friend-whar else did
you think I meantP'
The young man shook his head.
AZ don't know. Only came up here /
TO tell you I haven't any right to your /
friendship, cant tell you why
I haven't as much eaII0usness ds all ]
that but If I did tell YOU your
Last atom Of faith in NE would BE- /
gone. And you can't afford to have NE /
even fer a frtend-n0w that I've said I
that. can y0u2''
Yes she said steadfas-ly, 81 caH .
afford It."
when when I've told Won I
!" His lips were parted in /
ln1azedness, his eyes roved dIlIly- Il I
can't. under I'm telling You /
I'm not wcrtf the powder to blow me .