Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-05-13
By HoLwoRTHY HALL

make the beginning. "All can ex
p plain is that I've made another mis-
take - After the first great effor
! the words came tumbIing. passionate
ly. unchecked. lit would have beer
so infinitely better for both of US i
I'd never met you at all. . Ny life
has been a whole series of mistakes
this is the worst. =. The worst. =.
OF course. 1t would be absurdly sim
pie if | were going away from SYRIA
cuSe. if | were going to leave you
here. and go-but I'm not Pm going
to stay here. And | cant think it's
decent. not to tell you now that if you
knew all | know what I've
been what I've done you wouldn't
marry me if l were the last man left
to ask you! :" He gestured i'm
patiently Were childishly hopeful
sometimes all of us . hoping
for what we know is impossible . .
what we know always will be impos-
sible. I've been like that-and
what hoped was that you could take
me on the basis of what I've been
for the last few months since
July :. . because that's the way luke
myself Just mana man-like
Jack Armstrong. | hoped We could
simply eliminate the past, and :.
| cant ger away from it. It's on my
heels every minute. It's what am,
now . hut if l 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. I 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
can't, go On--it'S over. I'm not
fit to be even your friend. That's
ALL"
turned back to the fireplace.
Were you as bad :. as that?" she
whispered.
"Once," he said bitterly, over his
shoulder. Il used to be a gentleman.
But that was long time ago"
She raised her head. Nothing
could ever make me believe" she said,
'"'thaf ron haven't always been just as
I've known you--since July. Nothing
can. and nothing will. What you may
think about yourself makes no differ |
ence to me. L"
DON'T" he said and his tone was
agonized. Don't you see"
81 don't believe you" she said stead
lily.
billiards. voice was unstable with /
his great bitterness of failure. You
fiatter me" he said harshly And be-
sales.--future wrong"
She was up, and beside him, smiling
bravely into his eyes, and he was fog
ging his will TO keep his hungry arms
from snatching her, from sweeping her
close to him, and .
what do you think women areT'
she demanded. with sweet imperiouS-
ness Nothing but marble statues
or putty ones? Just made to stand
around and let the world go past
without having anything to say about
it?
He retreated to the wall in self-de-
Tense. Don't, Don't. I'm the one
WHO'S driven myself into this corner
no. you"
But you don't have to stay in 1t
always, do you?"
4 He stared at her in justification.
Don't be silly" she said, "and don't
,e unreasonable; I'm not" She |
.ouched his sleeve; his expression WAS
Unchanged. Don't make me think you ;
ire unreasonable ~ she said compass {
,ionately. IF you're not satisfied, why I
ant you make yourself what you
want to be? Instead of broodlng over
he past, that you can't help, why don't
.ou think about things you can help?
living is about all there is to live for. !
sn't t| 7
He drew in his breath perilously. I
But I'm letting you CO." he said. Y
dzed. e
She stamped her foot In tremulOus {
cverity. mo, you're not; ] won't al $
DIV IT, Can't you see why? Do ] d
ave to tell you that? Well
ecause | want you for friend even u
YOU don't want me-" e
"Want you" he cried. and remem- p
cred himself and froze to lmmobllty. y
Oh-as friend" =
"Surely, as u friend-what else did 81
on think ! meantT n
The young man shook his head. u
~ don't know. Only | came up here G
tell YOU haven't any right 10 your q
! can't tell YOU why ~
haven't as much cnllousness ms all 70
mt but II did tell you, your $,
ST atom Of faith in me would he b'
me And you can't afford to have me In
'en for II frlend-now that I've said "a
at. can your CO
yes" she said steadfastly, 81 can M
ford IT,"
when when I've told YOU III
:" His lips were parted In vi
nazedness, his eyes roved duly. Il oy
MT under I'm telling you Al
n not worth the powder to blow me as