Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-12-23

inc and generous and frank than any
she had ever known.
~ am not a common man.. Mario
was stating simple fact, innocent or
cOnceit. Il know the world outside the
one you know. and the men and WOfn-
en- who live in it. Where | go. look
about me, and reflect on what see.
am seldom mistaken in those who In
ferest me- And you whom | love
| tell you, you are no more of this lie
than |, and you do wrong thing,
wicked and cruel thing, when you
trample down that which is good in
you and might bring you to splendid
destiny"
Impressed in spite of herself,
touched, and flattered. too, she looked
uneasily away, twisting her hands to-
gether, her tongue faltering.
81 suppose you know what you mean
love me if you would, and in my love,
in the life | offer you. become the self
that today you hide away so jealousy.
your real self woman fine and strong
and true, not this adventure-lOving
companion of rOgueS and vagabOnds--
and worse!" He gave an imploring
gesture. "Ah, LeOnOra, if only you
would give them upP
She looked up with wistful eyes, all
effrOntery abandoned, only the woman
remaining, the woman whom this man
alone had the secret of perceiving in
her. In this, indeed, resided the true
reason for her fear of meeting Mario:
he was disastrous TO her peace of
mind, her Self-complacence when she
listened to him, satisfaction departed
and in its stead came inquietude, with
the wish to be what he would have hel
to be, what intuition told her she
could be if She would but set herself
to overcome her own resistance.
She searched his face in wonder.
When he disturbed her so profoundly,
why did she like him so much? What
was it that gave him power TO charm
her wits away. discomfort her with all
that had otherwise seemed excellent
and complete, make nothing of the
steel of her set purpose? Was it his
love alone?
He loved her, she was satisfied of
that, hut with such forbearance, such
consideration, tenderness and under
standing as left her incredulOuS. In
the Street love was another thing en-
tirely, fiercer. cruder business.
brusque and selfish without Disguise
something open, direct and casual, but
as essential as meat and drink. But
this was different, this love Mario had
for her.
Yes; and ii was true. what he as
serted, ne too was different there was
no one like him, SO gentle and strong
and brave, faStidiOus. reserved. and
thoughtful. In her world he made n
figure striking and homogeneous. Yet
he fingered on ohStinatcly. i'm part Che
told herr because il was his passion
to study every side of life. but mostly
because he loved her and never would
willingly give up hope of winning her
He would never leave. he protested.
till She went With him.
"Leonora !" he pleaded. Come
with me
In Il moment of determination she
tried to put sentiment aside with n
hard little laugh of scorn Il guess
you don't understand: Red would kill
me if | chucked him."
"Ile would never find you where I
would take you. 10 my home in Spain !:
or If he ever did, he would not dare
lift eyes to YOU. or know in you. a
lady, moving in the world for which
she was born, the girl he knew as Leo
nora and loved-after his fashion
with whatever feeling ii is he calls
love! Come with me. LeOnora. and be
your true self. Life can be beauti-
full
He played Shrcwdly on her most Sc
Cret weakness: she was fond of heliev-
ing herself somewhat better than her
milieu, through some romantic acct
dent superior in point of birth as well
rs. what was undeniable, I'm spirit and
intelligence. NiStaS of powerful Sc
duction opened 10 her contemplation.
Al heart an arrant egoiSt. she saw
herself primitively as she had seen
other women, in her excursions into
the hauntS of the well-tO-do. radiantly
beEowned and furred and jeweled. loll-
ing inSolently in limousine car. Mario
nj her side dressed like a gentleman"
But this vision was swiftly diSSipat,
cd by recrudcScence of that fear which
Red inspired in honest conviction that
no earthly power could save her from
his vengeance.
You don't know Red" She shooE
her head solemnly in n spirit of fata
prophecy. He'd croak you, too; he'd
croak us both"
Mario smiled family. 81 am no
afraid"
You're not afraid of dying?"
What is life without your love?'
He had thoughtful moment. "WhC
knows but death may nrova infiniteI,