The Ocala evening star., 1922-06-15

was ever made can't be changed" he
retOrted. rs IL crime to love yo0-
to want TO make you my wffeT'
No; but it is crime to persecute
me when you know you have no right
TO ask me at ALL
Tom BOwyer, who had cultivated his
RACES until they had mastered him,
could never refrain from falling into
the bully's pose when he met opposi-
ton He slammed his fist down fierce
ly on the counter.
''Tll change your answer, Mollyw he
cried. Before / leave this store to-
night. I'll have you at my feet. for all
your pride. D-n it, it's your pride l
want as much as you. / want to hum
Bile you, because there's never been
man or woman couldn't tame sooner
or later. I'm making you an honorable
proposal. Your fathers a dying man.
Anyone can see that. l want you. and
l want to take care of him for your
sake, the rest Of his days. / ask you
to be my wife, to come to Cold juno
tion with me and marry me. D'you sup
pose he could hold his job here an
other day If the company knew he's
paralyzed? I'll drive him from the
portage unless you marry me and let
him take his pension and live with
u.s."
II tell you mo- again !" cried Molly.
How many times am to answer you?
viii you go now?'
He caught her by the wrists, thrust
ing his face forward into hers.
She screamed in fear, and they heard
the dragging footsteps of the factor in
his room above. The old man felt his
way slowly down the stairs and edged
along the counter. There was fear in
his sunken eyes; but it was anger
made him tremble.
''Ye go too far, Mr.. BowyerP he
Quavered. "Ye Gamma insult my girl
In my own houser'
"Get back to bed, you old fool !"
sneered Bowyer. Didn't you do your
own love-making?"
eff she Wilma have We | Wilma sell
her! Leave the house and do your
worst !"
IF l do" answered Bowyer, "TIl do
it. D'you mean that? Answer me,
McDonald!"
The factor sank back against the
counter and glared at him with hag-
gard eyes, his. gray beard brushing his
breast. Bowyer smiled triumphantly
Speak for me, Mcdonald" he
jeered Tell her why she'd better
change her mind"
The factor raised his head Molly,
lass" he whimpered, "it's grand op-
portunity he's offering ye. Have ye no
thocht of that? It'll be hame for We
in my old age, when I Gamma care for
ye"
Molly. fixed her eyes in horror upon
Mcdonald. But Bowyer strode between
them.
you're a fine love-maker!" he
sneered. 'Get out of the way"
And. inf1amed almost to madness, he
seized Molly i'm his arms and pressed
his lips to her cheek and throat again
and again.
81 guess you're not SO coy as you pre-
tend, Molly" he cried. You women
one yet that wasn't in a hurry to get
hitched up, however much she pretend
ed to dislike it."
The opening of the door behind him
made him start. Kitty stood there, and
it was quite clear that she had been a
spectator of the scene. With stran-
gled cry Molly broke from Bowyer's
f~%o b.
dragged her bed against the door and
stood behind it, sObbing with terror
and anger The factor leaned against
the counter, look of dull apathy on
his face. Bowyer turned sheepishly to
Kitty.
"Well, 1 guess you caught me this
time Mrs. BOstock," he said. But, be-
ing a woman, you'll understand"
Kitty's disgust for Bowyer held her
silent. She made the slightest gesture
of her head to him and went out of the
store Bowyer followed her.
what does it mean?" asked Kitty.
"It means that I want Molly Melon
aid, and I've never wanted any man or
woman yet that 1 didn't get" said
BOWyer. Make the most of It, ne
clustered I've as much right as Car
ruthers, haven't I?'
No" said Kitty.
"Why haven't II"
Mr.. Carruthers was first. They are
engaged
whats to stop her breaking itr'
AS his agitation subsidized, Bowyer, a
keen judge, noticed that Kitty's poise
was unnatural; she seemed laboring
under some suppressed emotion. He
looked quickly into her eyes and saw
that she had been crying. And then he
knew
slow smile spread over his face
Kitty Bostock had not made Big Mus
keg her home so long out Of devotion
to the memory of Joe.
With a deliberated impulse Bowyel
put out his hand and took hers.
"I want two things, Mrs. Bostock.