The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-06-03


ignominy Of lying to placate her. This
angered him. Soon afterward she had
gone to Paterson. y. j., where from
time to time he heard from her. He
tried repeatedly to give her money,
but always unsucceSsfully. She re-
pulsed every effort he made Her un-
spoken reproach. her silent refusal
OF his checks, for she returned them
without a word, worried him more
than anything else she could have
done.
What Fitzhugh could not understand
was Otis unrelenting bitterness. He
never planned q venture. never made
move, but some hidden hand was
against It. He was not slow to dis
cover whose hand II was. Nor was he
long In discerning that its owner had
nothing save enmity for him. Since
Kathleen'S return from abroad he had
taken eager advantage Of every Op-
pOrtunity TO be with her. And here,
too, he had encountered that same op-
posing force. At first he never Sus-
pected Otis. He had thought Otis
/ man who disdained society as a fri
vOllty only for women TO amuse them
selves with. He was soon to learn.
however, that it IS often those who
ieer the lOudest at smart society who
secretly revere 1t most. Hypocritically
q snob, the flnty old capitalist was as
well versed In all those little tricks
and artltiCeS and petty subterfuges Of
socially dIsparaglng a person as the
most sophisticated dowager.
Fitzhugh's perplexity became a tor
ment. One evening Qt was at
charity BALD he reminded Kathleen of
the LA Boheme" evening one year
before.
II shouldn't bring 1t up" he ended,
"only this Is our anniversary and an
niversaries are always the time for
recalling things"
She lowered her eyes 20 the cluster
of violets on her corsage. They were
his violets. 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 I like you"
He said tensely: II don't want you
to like me-"
"rm sorry"
II want you to love me. You know
love you. Can't you-don't you love
me, Kathleen"
,l,It~ x.,tt ALL IL
melody. She began toying with the
violets. Her fingers were unsteady.
The violets fell to the floor.
Don't you?" he insisted, as he re-
covered and returned them.
"Don't l what?"-pinning the fiow-
ers 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
bing Of the violin increased. 1t 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 ip her body throbbed to its 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-
liciousness Of surrender.
"Ah | love you. !
do love you
They were snugly ensconced behind
the shielding palm The violinist was
in Il rortir FronZy. The attention of
rn wnS h,la hy him Nobody saw
-h ~ the March
afternoon were thickening. and the
room was In semi-darkneSs.
After while he spoke, very softly.
$50 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.
IL never dreamed" said he, shat
any man could be so divinely happy.
least Of all myself"
Presently she sat up, with a start,
and removed his encircling arm.
you must remember" she said
hastily, 'lt Is only between ourselves.
We mustn't announce 1t yet"
He detected strange note in her
voice.
81 understand" he answered quietly.
"You see. If l promise to marry
you"
"Tf,' you promiseT
81 mean when we announce our en-.
gagement. l shall have to oppose ia
ther and mother. I've never breathed
word to them, you know. When l
found you had said nothing to mother
that night II thought 1t best, all
round. to wait little while. So I've
never spoken. But now shall
have to fight for you. i shall have to
defend you. You must help me all you
can. and always remember If seem
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