The Pulaskian., 1921-11-03


 tear open the envelope when the tal straight figure of Jimmy Fayne ap- peared before her. He had on riding clothes, and there was a rawbide quirt in his hand.
 You scared me, JimInyp laughed Miss Elizabeth, q trifle nerv0usly 1T didn't know you were anywhere around !''
 Beg pardon" Jimmy smiled, -May l sit down beside you3'
 "Yes."
 He SRI down beside her and began thoughtfully to flick the toe of one of his shining boots with the tip of his quirt. She knew what he had come to say, before he said it:
 'Once more" looking pleadingiy into her eyes-'won't you marry me and make me happy forever afterward?"
 She turned the letter over in her lap in order that Payne might not see, ae- cidentaliy or otherwise. the address.
 Jimmy" she finally said, "I'ti like to have q little more time to think about 1t. Things like this oughtn't to be decided in q hurry
 You've already had monthsl Or were they years-or aees2 Why do you keep putting me off like this, Eliz- aheth?'
 As l told you, Jimmy. don't"
 He interrupted almost sharply; q know you don't love me. But you'll learn to-afte- you've seen how much l sl all adore you"
 lie made a move as though to take her into his arms, and she shrank from him; he had done that same thing, and she had done that same thing, dozens of times before :. With unseeing eyes Elizabeth watched Mrs. DaIe step from her motor it the porte-coehere and go into the house. Jimmy Payne, too, saw Mrs. Dale, but he was wholly unaffected by the sight of her; Mrs. Dale, somehow, did not object to his seeing the girl quite as much as she had once objected.
 Jimmy" after long silence had passed between them, "I-Fm afraid l ain't the right woman fer you. If you knew. for sure. that I once took Il rife gun and killed man with 1t. would you-WouId you still want me?"
 Payne laughed as though Ut good joke.
 You Kill a mar2 Why, I couldn't believe 1t. But if you had Killed man, or a dozen men, it--it could hardly make any difference to me. If you did do 1t, you did 1t because there was nothing else to do; I'm sure of that. We won't mention it again, if you're willing. neither criticize nor attempt to understand your hill codes. Marry me, won't you. Elizabeth?9
 If l did" asked Ben Littleforl's daughter, would you help my people back in the hills?t'
 Educate 'en? Yes. Every blessed one of em.''
 Freely"
 "Yes !'
 Once mere Elizabeth Littieford tried to decide. Faync's eyes grew more and more hopeful as he watched her lips. He became impatient.
 Tell me-" be begged.
 The girl took up the letter she had just received from Bill Dale.
 As soop as I read this" she mur- mured, "I1 tell you, Jimmy. If y0u don't mind, please look the other way for minute
 She tore of one end of the envelope, drew out the single sheet and unfolded it. Her eyes narrowed; her fnce flushed, and then became just little pale. Her underlip quivered as she folded the sheet and put II back lnto the envelope.
 q can't marry you, Jimmy sha iold him.
 Without another word she arose and left him. She bastened 10 the house, hastened upstairs, and went to her room. Half an hour later Mrs Dale found her lying face downward on her bed, and beside her lay ctunpled sheet of paper. Mrs. Dale picked up the sheet, straigbtened it out, and read this, in the bold handwriting of her son:
 Believe ne, l am very appreciative Of your invitation But l am hav,ng Christmas with your mother, hcre m my own country
 CHAPTER XVIII.