The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-03-20


"a Don't Believe He Ever Said It"
He brought himself up with Jerk,
realizing that his loose tongue was
running away with his wits. She was
looking at him with startled, inquiring
eyes.
What do you mean by that, Barry
Lapelle" she asked. and he was quick
to detect the uneasiness in her man.
ner.
He affected a grin of derislon. I'm
going to put my case in the hands of
Kenny Gwynne, the rising young bar
rister. With him on our side, my
dear. l guess we'll bring her to time.
II he thinks It's all right for you to
marry me, I guess that will end the
matter. He's the head of the family
isn't her"
This hastily conceived explanation
of his luckless remark succeeded In
deceiving her. She stared at him in
distress.
"Oh, Barry, you-you surely can't
be thinking of asking Kenneth to In
teIcede-"
"Why not? He doesn't see any rea-
son why we shouldn't be married. my
dear. In fact, he told me so a few
days ago. He"
Il don't believe it." she cried.
You don't?" he exclaimed sharply.
mo, 1 don't" she repeated.
Has he been talking to you about
mer he demanded, an ugly CLEAN
flashing into his eyes.
He has never said a word against
you, not one. But don't believe you
when you say he told you that we
ought to get married" She felt her
cheeks grow hot.
I'm liar, am II" he snarled.
Il don't believe he ever said it."
she said stubbornly.
"Well-you're right" he admitted,
after moments hesitation. mot in
so many words. But he did say to
me that he had told you he saw no
reason why you shouldn't marry me
II you wanted to. Did he ever tell you
that?"
She remembered only too well the
aggravating encounter in the thicker
path.
Yes, he did" she replied, lifting her
head defiantly. And" she added, 81
hated him for 1t. l hate him more and
more every time think of 1t. He-he
was perfectly abominable.".
We'll. you're-you're id compli-
mentary," he grated, his face express
ing the utmost bewilderment.
She walked on for eight or ten PAGES
before speaking again. Her head was
lowered. Suddenly she turned to him.
Barry. let's sit down on that log
over there for few minutes. There
is something I've got to say to you
and I'm sorry. You must not be angry
with me. Won't you come over there
with me, and listen to what 1 have to
tell your"
He hung back for a moment, his In
tuition grasping at something vague
and yet strangely definite.
"You-you are going to tell me It's
all over between us. viola?" he ven-
tured. going white to the lips. He was
as sober now as though he had never
touched liquor In his life
Come and sit down." she said gen
tly, even compassionately.
He sat down beside her and waited
for her to speak, and as she remained
speechless, evidently In distress, his
lips curled in smile of reviving con-
fdence. He watched the quick rise and
fall Of her bosom, exulting in her diff
Guilty.
At last she spoke, not tremulously as
he had expected. but with a firmness
that boded Ill for his composure.
Barry" she began, still staring
straight ahead, II don't know Just how
to begin. 1t is awfully hard toto say
what 1 feel l must say. Perhaps
should have waited tiIl-well, till you
were home for little while, before
doing what have made up my mind
to do. But thought 1t right to have
1t over with as soon as possible"
She paused for moment and then
resolutely faced him. He saw the pain
in her dark. troubled eyes, and the
shadow of an appealing smile on her
lips. His face hardened.
Il cannot marry you. Barry. IL
don't love you as I should. thought
I did. but-but-well, that's all. I
don't know what has happened to
make me see things so differently, but
whatever 1t Is / know now that was
80 terribly mistaken.
know / am hurting you, Barry. and
you have right to despise me. II
somehow hope you will-because I de-
serve it."
He smiled indulgently. II hope you
don't think am taking this seriously.
This isn't the first time I've heard