The Republican journal., 1922-02-16
Facile's the
Word
By MARTHA WILLIAMS

cJaculated, tearing IN haiI Ihe hote
she had just read.
swear DENLY comented dispas-
sionately. Lots of relief in good
mouth-flling oath Better try it,"
II can't-heing gentlewoman,'
Frances countered. suppose you do
ii for me-"
HIM! If the job is permanent /
might possibly consider it" her new
est victim returned. cant possibly
damage my piety for anything cas-
ual."
Il see! After all. there are limits to
your devotion. Luckily l am finding
out in time" from Frances.
"As | am finding out that you are
after ALI canny. Emphasis upon the
after all"
You seem to be qualifying for the
idiot class Frances said, demurely,
but with twinkling eyes.
"As how?' DENLY demanded, draw
ing down the corners of his mouth.
Thus and So from Frances. THAT
note intimates that | am now sowing
smiles where they will return gold
en- harvest Now, 'ain't that ni-iseT"
You must have studied poor Jim
Baxter very closely to hit off his fa-
vorite speech so cleverly.' DENLY
commented. Say, do you initiate all
of us this way? If so, I'd love to have
a specimen of-myself."
II know better; you would not"
Frances said emphatically.
But | would; cross my heart and
hope to die" from DENLY.
Next minute he turned angry red
in spite of himself as he heard, in
what seemed his own voice. II wish
you would forget how to say No"
II do wish it; harder than ever.
For I'm going to ask If you will marry
me out of hand and run along home
with me to mother" his pique swept
away in a new rush of tenderness,
stop playing with me, dearest. Re
member this is dead earnest. /"
Remember There have been 9TH
ers,'' from Frances wickedly.
He nodded. Several others. Now
1t makes me shudder to think of them.
If | had won-and met you-too
late"
"Taffy" from Frances, breaking
into "A gale of laughter. DENLY
sprang to his feet crying In "a half
choked voice: After thls--I can be-
lieve you would laugh at seeing a
murder
Dear Dear" from Frances in her
highest manner. ct me explain, Mr.
Temple Denby-I iaugh at your melo-
drama--because it is too perfect. 1t
is n well-known immortal fact that no
woman kisses perfectly the first time.
1t ought to be as well understood that
when a man has 1t very badly he COM
monty makes a mess of telling you
So"
II am no trifer," from DENLY, stiff
fly. But how if-you are trying to
be an avenger?' Frances flung at him:
wouldn't that explain = several
things? Especially as you are-or
were-Carter Gordon's best pal
Denbys face was study, changing
swiftly through red, white, and set
grim gray After long minute he
said, huskily; "So-you are Furnishing
me for an intention? One abandoned
before | saw yop--from the minute |
heard your voice in the twilight,
there among the roses"
Frances felt herself trembling. She
was SO glad, so sorry he had not lied
TO her. Something subtle as flame.
also as soaring had leaped between
them there in the scented dusk. She
had been fighting it ever since-fght-
ing hard in desperate fear She had
somehow sensed a fiber of loyalty in
him that would make hurt to friend
double hurt to himself.
So protectively, she had fiouted him
daintily, all the while alluring him
and thrilling In the joy of his response.
But she had not dared to be trustfui
barely one and twenty though she
was, she knew the game of hearts in
all its facets. Holding herself hard
she said clearly Il do not defend
myself beyond this-I doubt if the
game we played really hurt Carter.
Except. of course, in his vanity. He is
too facile He had no eyes nor ears
for anybody but Lora Lane-at first.
Frankly, felt myself rescue-mis-
sionary In taking him away from
her"
You would have been-if you had
held him." DENLY said bitterly. Now
i think he will marry her-out of
spite to you. And that will be his
destruction"
"HowY" Frances breathed rather
than asked. DENLY went on huskily:
"He Is a real man-but with an in
herited handicap. Dipsomania He
has fought 1t gallantly successfully
Your love would have been to him
crown to victory. Lora ls-just the
opposite"
How dare you love me-in face
of that-tragedy Frances cried, her
voice breaking at the last. II do not
dare-I love you because | cannot help
it-something stronger more elemental
than myself constrains me-" was the
almost solemn reply. II broke down
Frances last reserve of pride, of
strength-suddenly she felt herself as
sassin of a soul. Deadly white, her
hands clinching she asked of the man
before her: Gould | do-anything
-noWp"