San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-06

was flushed. which may have been
from The lowering of his head. III,
antcd 50 laugh but lie realized that
this would be utterly objectionable
He rose. and set the pieces of th,
broken pipe on the table. Standing
thus. his shoulder to her, he spoke
gently. horribly embarrassed.
Il had 10 notion of
| OF your meaning :" And there
he broke down.
but his embarrassment encouraged
her. Again she came close.
And now that you know it,
Colonel:" she whispered.
II ! don't know what to
say"
His mind was beginning to recover
its functions. He understood at last
why n person of his shabby exterior
, and obvious neediness should have
been given unlimited credit in this
house.
Then say nothing at all. Colonel.
dear" she was purring. Save that
You'll mt from you all notion of sail
ing TO the Indies"
But but my word is pledged
already Ii was straw mt which
he clutched desperately. And it was
not very fortunate one. for it sug-
gested that his pledged word was the
only obstacle.
The effect vas TO bring her closer.
She was almost touching him. as he
stood there. still half avertcd. and
she actually leaned against him. and
set a hand upon his shoulder as she
spoke. coaxingly. persuasively.
But it was pledged before
before YOU knew of this. His grace
will understand. He'll never hold you
to it. You've but to explain"
Il 49,, / couldn't. | couldn't"
he cried weakly.
Then | can"
"YOu:" He looked at her.
She was pale. but rcsolute. Yes.
me-" she answered him. If your
pledge is all that holds you. I'll take
coach at once and go to Whitehall.
George Monk'll see me. or if he won't
his duchess will. ! knew her well in
the old days. when | was n young girl.
and she was a semptress glad to earn
Il groat where she could. Nan
Clarges'll never deny herself TO an old
friend. So if you but say the word,
IN soon deliver you from this pledge
Of yours"
His face heightened He looked
away again.
That it not all, Mrs. Quinn" he
said, very gently. The truth is
am not OF -. a nature TO make
a woman happy
This she deemed mere coyness, and
swept it briskly aside. I'D take the
risk of that
But but. you see I've
lived this rowing life of mine so long,
that ] do not think | could ever set
tie. Resides. maam, what have | to
offer:''
IF ! am satisfied with my bargain,
why take thought for that:
Il must. The fact is. | am touched
deeply touched. | did not think !
had it in me to arouse the affection,
or even the regard. of any woman.
Even SO ma'am, whilst it moves me.
it does not change my purpose. /
an not marrying man.
He raised hand. dominantly, to
check her. He had found the correct
formula at last, and he meant to keep |
to it. -'
'Iselcssto argue ma'am II know |
my mind. Ny reasons are as ] have |
;aid and so is the fact. am touched !
am prodiously touched, and CRATE |
ful. But there it is
His firmness turned her white with |
To have offered her
self, and TO have been refused. As |
she considered him now with her |
vivid blue eyes, her face grew mot |
led. She was moved to sudden
hatred of him.
She walked to the door. moving n
little heavily. She opened it. and
hen paused under the Intel Over
her shoulder she spoke to him aain.
Seeing that things is like this,
perhaps You'll make it convenient TO
lind another lodging not later than
tomorrow"
He inclined his head little in
agreement.
Naturally he was begin
ming, when the door closed after he:
with bang and he was left alone.
'Phcw.." he breathed as he sank ]