The spectator., 1922-04-07

 peared before her. He had on riding clothes, and there was a rawhide quirt | in his hand. You scared me, Jimmy" laughed Miss Elizabeth, a trifle nervOusly. 'J didn't know you were anywhere around "
 Beg pardon" Jimmy smiled. "May I sit down beside you?" "Yes"
 He sat down beside her and began | thoughtfully to flick the toe of one of his shining boots with the tip of his | quirt. She knew what he had come to say, before he said it:
 her eyes-"won't you marry me and make me happy forever afterwardT She turned the letter over in her lap in order that Payne might not see, ac- cidentally or otherwise. the address.
 Jimmy" she finally said, "Td like to have a little more time to think about it. Things like this oughtn't to be decided in hurry"
 You've already had months Or were they years-or ages? Why do you keep putting me off like this, Eliz- abeth?"
 "As l told you, Jimmy, don't" He interrupted almost sharply: "l know you don't love me. But you'll learn to-after you've seen how much shall adore you" He made a move as though to take her into his arms, and she Shrank from him; he had done that same thing, and she had done that same thing, dozens of times before. |. With unseeing eyes Elizabeth watched Mrs. Dale step from her motor at the porte-cochere and go into the house. Jimmy Payne. too, saw Mrs. Dale. but he was wholly unaffected by the sight of her Mrs. Dale, somehow, did not object to his seeing the girl quite as much as she had once objected.
 Jimmy" after long silence had passed between them, "l-Im afraid l ain't the right woman for you. If you knew, for sure that l once took rifle gun and killed man with 1t, would you-would you still want me-"
 Payne laughed as though at good joke.
 You kill q man? Why, 1 couldn't believe it. But if you had killed man, or dozen men, it-it could hardly make any difference to me. If you did do it, you did 1t because there was nothing eise to do; I'm sure of that. We won't mention it again, if you're willing. l neither criticize nor attempt to understand your hill codes. Marry ms, won't you, Elizabeth"
 If l did" asked Ben Littleford's daughter. would you help my people back in the hills?"
 Educate 'em? Yes! Every blessed one of em."
 Freely"
 "YeS!'
 Once more Elizabeth Lttleford tried to decide. Fayne's eyes grew more and more hopeful as he watched her lips. He became impatient.
 Tell me-" he begged.
 The girl took up the letter she had Just lSNSiNtu llcii biii bdlt.
 As soop as read this,' she mur- mured, "Il tell you, Jimmy. If you don't mind, please look the other way for a minute"
 She tore off one end of the envelope, drew out the single sheet and unfolded 1t. Her eyes narrowed; her face flushed, and then became just little pale. Her underlip quivered as she folded the sheet and put it back into the envelope.
 "I can't marry you, Jimmy" she told him.
 Without another word she arose and left him. She hastened to the house. hastened upstairs and went to her room.
 Half an hour later Mrs. Dale found her lying face downward on her bed, and beside her lay a crumpled sheet of paper. Mrs. Dale picked up the sheet, strengthened 1t out, and read this, in the bold handwriting of her son.
 Believe me, l am very appreciative of your invitation. But l am having Christmas with your mother, here in my own country"