Cleveland County herald., 1920-04-15

 pected Otis. He had thought Otis a man who disdained society as a fri yolity only for women to amuse them l selves with. He was soon to learn, however, that it is often those who jeer the loudest at smart society who secretly revere 1t most. Hypocritically a snob, the finty old capitalist was as well versed in all those little tricks and artifices and petty subterfuges of socially disparaging person as the most sophisticated dowager.
 Fitzhugh's perplexity became tor ment. One evening Git was at a charity ball) he reminded Kathleen of the La Boheme" evening one year before
 T shouldn't bring it up" he ended, 'only this is our anniversary and an niyersaMes are always the time for recalling things"
 She lowered her eyes to the cluster of violets on her corsage. They were his yiolets. He had long ago learned her passion for the flower and seldom the day passed but he showered her with them.
 You do care a little? Don't you Kathleen?"
 "I-you know 1 like you"
 He said tensely: 'T don't want you to like me-"
 "I'm sorry"
 T want you to love me. You know l love you. Can't you-don't you love me, Kathleen?"
 The violin sobbed with it's delicious melody. She began toying with the violets. Her fingers were unsteady The yiolets fell to the floor.
 Don't you?" he insisted, as he re covered and returned them.
 Don't I what?-pinntng the flow CTS to her corsage.
 Love me"
 Having finally arranged the bou- Quet and stilled her trembling fingers, she permitted her arms to rest beside her on the chair. Instantly she felt his hand close upon hers The sob ping of the violin increased. It was some wild thing of Mozart's.
 Kathleen Kathleen !"
 She was overpoweringly conscious of his nearness. The flesh of his hand seemed to burn into hers. Every nerve in her body throbned to it's pres sure. All the restraint of years of breeding and tradition, which thus far had held her back, were now snap ping asunder; and she felt herself be- ing swept on toward that which she feared yet longed to attain. She could no longer resist. She gave her self utterly to the half frightened de- lfciousness of surrender.
 "Ah I love you. do love you
 They were snugly ensconced behind the shielding palm. The violinist was in a poetic frenzy The attention of all was held by him. Nobody saw them. The shadows of the March afternoon were thickening, and the room was in semi-darkness.
 After while he spoke, very softly.
 'So we are engaged" he said, and in spite of him his voice trembled.
 "Yes," she murmured, unclosing her eyes. Still leaning against him, she asked wistfully: And are you very, very happy?"
 He held her close.
 q never dreamed" said he, "that any man could be so divinely happy, least of all myself"
 Presently she sat up, with start, and removed his encirciing arm.
 You must remember" she said hastily, "it is only between ourselves. We mustn't announce 1t yet"
 He detected strange note in her voice.
 q understand" he answered quietly
 You see, if I promise to marry you"
 If, you promise?"
 T mean when we announce our en- gagement. l shall have to oppose fa- ther and mother. I've never breathed a word to them, you know. When I found you had said nothing to mother that night IT thought it best, all round, to wait little while. So I've never spoken. But now I shall nave to nSnt TOT you. 1 snail have to defend you. You must help me all you can, and always remember if I seem severe or exacting it is because I care for you so"
 "Once," he unused, looking down at her with the unutterable joy of posses sion, you spoke rather strongly of my egotism. 1 think, sometimes, I have right to be egotistical"
 Indeed, you have!" she exclaimed, purposely misunderstanding him. Your success is the most wonderful thing in the world"
 T didn't mean exactly that" he smiled. But go on: tell me I've ac- cOmplished wonders"
 (TO BE CONTINUED)