The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-12

you now. l was asking you when that little fool came in-'' Maybe you were. Maybe you | weren't. Maybe I'm a little hard of hearin'. But Pm not goin' to make that an excuse for my bein' here" 'I don't understand-'' Its just that I came here because I wanted to come and because you | wanted me. People have been talkin. Let them talk. Let her talk--'' ''She will. You can be pretty sure of that" Peter was pacing up and down the room, his hands behind him. "If she'd been man. he was nut | tering: eff she'd only been a man" Beth watched him a moment, still smiling. i "Oh, I got what she meant-she was just tryin' to insult me" She laughed. Seems as if she'd kind of succeeded. I suppose I ought | to have scratched her face for her. | think I would haVe-if she'd just stayed a minute longer. Funny, 100, | because I always used to think she | was so sweet | Peter threw his arms wildly into the | air and exploded.
 Sweet! Sweet! That girl! Yes, if tion to shreds."
 Beth had stopped smiling now and 1 leaned against the wall, her chin low cred.
 'I reckon it serves me right. I hadn't any business. to be comin' here mot at all, anyway
 "Oh. Beth" he pleaded, catching her hands. Why couldn't you have let things be?"
 ''Let her think I was engaged to you when I wasn't?" she gasped.
 But we are, Beth, dear. Say we are, won't you?''
 ''Not when we're not" l ''Beth-,'
 You should have spoken sooner, if you really meant it. Oh. I know what it is. I've always known there's d difference between us''
 ''No-not unless you make it.
 'Yes. It was there before I was born. You were brought up in a diff ferent kind of life, in different way of thinkin' from mine-'
 What has that got to do with it?''
 Everything. It's not my fault I'm straight-''
 Don't, Beth He put his arm around her. but she disengaged her self gently.
 ''No, let me finish Maybe you wanted me. I Suesss you did But | not that much-not enough to speak k out-and you were too straight to lie to me. I'm thankful for that" But I have spoken, Beth," he in- sisted, taking her by the elbows and holding her so that he could look into her eyes. I've asked you toto be my wife. I ask you now. Is that clear?
 Her eyes evaded him and she laugh ed uneasily.
 "Yes, it's clear-and-and your req son for it-"
 "A little, maybe. But I'll marry no man just to save my face-and his But he caught her close to him, finding new joy in his momentous decision. She struggled still, but he would not be denied.
 "Yes, you will" he whispered. you've got to marry me whether you ed"
 'I don't care" , "oh. yes. you do. And you love me, Beth."' 'I don't love you-'' You do. And I'm going to marry you whether you want it or not" , 'Oh, are you?''
 "when?'"
 Soon"
 He kissed her. She didn't resis, hlm- Resistance was useless. He , had won.
 Beth, dear" he went on. -J couldn't lie to you I'm glad yor knew that. And I couldn't hurt you l think I've always loved you-frorr the first" F T tool too" she whfsnered ..1 , couldn't help it.
 'I think I knew that too"
 NO, no. You couldn't~
 Yes. It was meant to be You've given new meaning to life, torn from it's very roots a whole rotten phiIoso. 9 phy. Oh, you don't know what ' mean-except that nobility is in tn. mlnd, beauty in the heart. Nothlns else matters see, IT do believe in you"
 Thank God! But you know noth. V ing Of me-nothing of my past"
 "1 don't care what your past ha. q been or who you are. You're goot I enough for me. I'm satisfied-"
 He laughed joyously at the terms O. her acquienscence. r Don't you want to know what I,v, been-who I am-?" No. It wouldn't make any differ ] ence-not now
 I'll tell you some day" e "fll take chance on that Tn Q | not afraid
 And whatever I am-you'n marr- me?"
 And whatever am-you'n marr, me?" I Yes Whatever-You-are n While he smiled down at her sb $ strengthened in his arms and gently re . leased herself. glancing guiltily at tn Q clock. e TT must be going now" she whis a pered. d And so through the quiet forest the g went to Black Rock village. hand il l hand.
 CHAPTER XVI IF Identification e The sudden and unexpected arriva