The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-02-11

"Oh," she sobbed, "what Is to be-
come of me? Twas so happy here. If
you hadn't made me think T.
If anything has been said in the
course Of these pages to give the i'm
preston that Mr.. Randolph was mod
eled after Joseph or hewn out OF Ice
or packed with probity to the exclu-
sion of red blood, forget it. At the
sight of those tears, he slid the length
of the couch to first base, fielded the
girl In his arms, switched her round
so that she lay across his knees, drew
her face against his shoulder. and
rocked her gently.
"You poor kiddie,'s he said softly,
"what a devil Of a time you've had
But believe me when tell you it's all
over. This is the night that starts your
old happy sun into the blue sky again.
Don't worry"
She stopped crying and looked up
into the honest face so close to her
own, puzzling as to how just those
words could have come from it; but
the world had taught her a hard les
son in varying standards. She drew a
long quiverlng sigh.
IF you could only wait until ! love
you. body and SOUL" she breathed.
what on earth do you meant"
asked Mr.. Randolph.
"Why, then 1t wouldn't. be so bad
so ugly"
II don't get you," remarked Robert
Hervey.
"a man told me just a little while
ago that he was making a 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
rs though he we're showing me q way
that I must travel alone"
"ReaIlyT said Mr.. Randolph, stiff
fleming 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"
"Snk underwear" exclaimed Mr..
Randolph, mystified and interested ip
spite Of himself.
"Of course you couldn't understand
that" she said, mot unless you 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
10 wear clothes over them"
Look here" said Mr.. Randolph,
shuddering at the pity Of It "well
pass on TO the next. II you don't mind"
Curiosity comes next" resumed the
| girl obedIently. "A woman 10 weak
until she knows everything. Then
comes a funny one that you won't I'M
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.
~ said they weren't interesting"
she reminded him dispassionately. Her
eyes widened. "And now" size con-
tlnued, 1--WE go 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 to the single drop Of a
present moment In the crystal cup Of
love, then let me give myself to q
lovers lips for, once drained. nothing
will 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 snatehed her
back from Just beyond his clasp.
where is your mind wanderingf What
have you been thinkingf That was
asking you TOTO give yourself to
meT
Her eyes came suddenly to his face.
"Yes," she said; Il thought that"
He stared at her for q long silent mo-
ment, his lips wavering neryously be-
tween pity and severity. A flush
swept over her face, and into her eyes
crept a look Of fear. "Y0u don't want
meT' 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
up slowly to meet his lips and kissed
her as lightly. as impersonally as
brother ever saluted sister. but far
more fearfully. Immediately her body
went limp In his arms. turned to q
dead weight OF unlnsplred flesh.
ut Is true" she murmured. des-
perately. "You don't really want me
and / can never love you now"
Randolph awoke to that still cry.
He shook her. seized her head In both
his hands. and forced her eyes to meet
the blaze In his
uXou 0auaroua oarafasa aNaH.hla