The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1921-03-17

"what on earth do you mean?o
asked Mr. Randolph.
"Why, then it wouldn't be SO bad
so ugly"
Il don't get you" remarked Robert
Hervey.
a man told mo just q little while
ago that he was making q catalogue
Of reasons why women give them
selves she continued. He had eleven
already, and yet he was one Of the
incest men I've met. He talked to me
as though he were showing me q way
that must travel alone"
Really said Mr.. Randolph. stlf.
fening perceptibly.
The lowest reason Of all was for
cold cash. she went on, as though he
had not spoken. Then came the gilt
ter Of precious stones, and, after that
silk underwear"
silk underwear" exclaimed Mr..
Randolph, mystifed and interested In
spite Of himself.
"Of course you couldn't understand
that" she said, mot unless Won had
seen some poor girl bury her face In
crepe de chine and lace, tremble TO try
them on, and then sob because she had
TO wear clothes over them"
Look here" said Mr.. Randolph.
shuddering at the pity Of 1t: wen
pass on to the next, If you don't mind
Curiosity comes next, resumed the
girl Obedienuy, "a woman Is weak
until she knows everything. Then
comes a funny one that you won't IN
derstand at all. It's called Because
Because he had on q coat that re-
minded her Of an old coat that man
she had loved used to wear"
My dear girl" protested Mr.. Ran
dolph.
Il said they weren't interesting"
she reminded him dispassionately. Her
eyes widened. "And now," she con-
tinued, Eve 90 up and up-spite that
stabs its own heart; the lonely soul;
consuming fire, and, last and greatest
reason of all, just love" Her eyes
glowed TO some distant focus. If all
myself, my honor, my past, and my
future dissolve 10 the single drop Of q
present moment IN the crystal cup Of
love, then let me give myself TO q
lovers lips for, once drained, nothing
viii be left upon which TO hang the
badge of shame-nothing remain in
all the world but the spirit and-and
the sacrifice"
Girl" said Mr.. Randolph, crushing
her TO him as though he snatched her
back from just beyond his clasp,
where is your mind wandering7 What
have you been thinklng7 That I was
asking you to-to give yourself to
me2"
Her eyes came suddenly to his face
Yes" she said y thought that"
He stared at her for long silent mo-
ment, his lips wavering nervously be-
tween pity and severity. A flush
swept over her face, and into her eyes
crept look of fear, You don't want
me?' she whispered; then, as he did
not speak: Kiss me. wish you to
kiss me-"
There was something in her insist
ence that Clutched at his heart and
{ bent him forward. He drew her head
I up slowly TO meet his lips and kissed
her as lightly, as impersonally as
/ brother ever saluted sister, but far
more fearfuIy. Immediately her body
went limp in his arms, turned to a
/ dead weight Of uninspired flesh.
/ 1T Is true she murmured, des-
/ perately. You don't really want me
and I can never love you now"
Randolph awoke 10 that still cry.
He shook her. seized her head in both
his hands, and forced her eyes to meet
/ the blaze IN his.
"You generous, careless, adorable
/ little fool 2" he growled. "Why, you're
the most desirable and precious bundle
/ Of lovable charm that robber man
/ ever trembled 10 hold in sacrilegious
/ arms !"
She stared at him amazed.
"Why don't you kiss the way you
| talkG" she demanded.
Because there's no reason for your
desperate barter my dear Imogene
! Pamela Thornton"
In one 1.-THE motion she was out of
his arms, on her feet, back to the fire,
head upthrown.
How dare you-how dare you call
me by that namef" She was trans
! formed her eyes flashed with such a
light as made the blaze in his own a
paltry thing. do you think she would
lie in your arms7' She asked, gulping
out the words. "Viyienne Vivierre"-
her lips curled in distaste at the name