The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-10-01
CHAPTER xv-continued.

phyllis Bruce-rather nice name.
"Wnat was l saying? Oh, yes
Phyllis. grew to like her-ver
much-but couldn't marry her. Yo
know why"
Denny. you big, big boyl" sh
murmured do you suppose ever.
man marries his first choice?"
1T has always seemed to me tina
q second choice is a makeshift. 1
doesn't seem quite square"
mo. l fancy some second choices
are really first choices. Wisdom comes
with experience. you know"
mot always. At any rate l couldn't
marry her while my heart was yours
II suppose not" she answered, and
her voice. II know something of what
divided affection-if one can even say
1t Is Embellishments. Denny, l will
make a confession. l knew you would
come back; l always was sure you
would come back. Then l said to my
SELF will see this man Grant as he is,
and the reality will clear my brain of
all this ldealism which | have woven
about him. And so have encouraged
you to come here; l have been most
unconventional, know, but | was
always that have cultivated your
acquaintance. and, Denny. am so dis
appointed!"
Disappointed? Then the mirage
has cleared away7"
ION the contrary. 1t grows more
distorted every day. l see you tower
ing above all your fellow humans;
reaching up into a heaven so far above
them that they don't even know of its
existence. l see you as really The
Man-on-the-Hill. The ideallsm which
thought must fade away is justi-
fed-heightened-by the reality"
She had turned her face to him, and
Grant, little as he understood the ways
of women, knew that she had made
her great confession. For a moment
he held himself In check. then
from somewhere In his subconscious-
ness came ringing the phrase, every
man worth his salt takes what |
he wants." That was Transley's NOR
atty; Transley, the usurper, who had |
bullied himself into possession Of this
heart which he had never won and
could never hold; Transley, the fool,
his days and nights with
money He seized her in his arms,
crushing down her weak resistance;
he drew her to him until, as In that
lay by foothill river somewhere In
he sunny past, her lips met his and
their caress He cared now
or nothing-nothing In the whole
world but this quivering womanhood
within his arms.
you must CO." she whispered at
ength. 1T Is late, and Franks habits
re somewhat cratic"
He held her at arms length, his
ands upon her shoulders. do you
oppose that fear-of anything-can
,ake me surrender you now?"
"Not fear, perhaps-I know 1t could
OF be fear-but good sense may do 1t.
| was not fear that made me send you
ONE early from your previous calls.
| was discretion"
"Oh p he said, new light dawning,
nd he marveled again at her consum-
tate artistry.
But l must tell you," she resumed,
Frank leaves on business trip to-
orrow night He will be gone for
,me time, and shall motor into
'wn to see him off. I am wondering
)out Wilson," she hurried on, as
ough not de ring to weigh her words;
Saran Will be avay-I am letting her
I'VE a little holiday-and / can't take
'ilson into town with me because 1t
Ill be so late" Then, with burst
confession, she spoke more DELHI
ately. That's isn't exactly the rea-
H. Dennison Frank doesn't know J
I'VE let Sarah go, and Ill can't ex-
ain
her fHce shone pink AMI warm in
e glow of the freight. and as the
ynlficance of her words sank In upon
m Grant marveled at that wizardry
the gods which could bring such
mage to the foot Of man. A tender
IS such as he had never known suit q,
sed him her very presence was holy
Bring the boy over and let him
end the night with me. We are tn
eat chums and we shall get along to
endidly." be