The Monmouth inquirer., 1925-11-12

"Thanks, can manage. Hadn't you
better join the others, Mr.. Hanson?"
Marjory said, with unmistakable
hauteur. constance will be wait.
ing for you"
Phil stared; then he saw Noel
across a messy slope struggling with
refractory tea basket He turned
away without a word The month
was. passing swiftly, and the challange
was never referred to. The day ar
rived, and he sat on the boulder. He
felt the gloves securely in his pocket
when the familiar figure came in
sight.
Marjory walked slowly and answer
cd his greeting with faint smile.
@Well, what about the bet2" she said
Il have not brought the cigars. You
see, l knew had won"
@You knew" he queried passionately.
aHave / hidden it so badly9 sup
pose ! am fool. know now why
you blame me So"
Hardly blame you," Marjory said
quietly; but was it wise to lose con-
troll Of your feelings so completely
Yes. believe me, did not mean you to
suffer"
Don't" he said sharply, "After
all, It was bet, and you won. Here
are the gloves. / suppose there will
never be any hope for me?" Marjory
shook her head
81 am sorry, although the word
sounds inadequate" she said. "But
there never will be. !" Philip straight
ened himself resoIutely.
HOf course, / knew" he said, as
brightly as he could. @You must not
mind; will get over 1t, suppose.
Other men have done SO, but 1t Is
hard"
Marjory sat on the boulder and as
her gloves slipped from her grasp,
Phil mechanically picked them up
Their hands met for q moment, and
when Marjory drew hers back
quickly he paled and spoke bitterly.
II suppose you think Pm dishon-
orable to have succumbed?r
"Not dishonorable only natural,
Marjory answered deliberately. Phil
turned on his heel. He was striding
along the shore when Constance's
voice on the cliff above reused him
from his reverie.
miss Martory? Yes, she is along
the sands opposite the Point, he
called back in answer, using his hands
as a trumpet. "Will tell her? Yes,
II you like. Visitors? All right"
He retraced his steps with mingled
feelings. but all thought of himself
was forgotten when he found Marjory
flung on the sands beside the boulder
sobbing as though her heart would
break. What is 1t, Marjory? Tell
me-" Phil knelt beside her, and put
his arm around the slender figure.
Don't cry. Oh, don't. can't bear
that love you SO. Oh forgive me,
but let me help YOU"
"You love rne7" Marjory drew away
from him, and looked steadily at him
through her tears. "Then what about
Constance?"
constance, Phillip repeated i'm
patiently. "Good heavens, Marjory;
you did not think loved Constance,
surely? You could not think that
Why, lost my heart to you month
ago, and on this very spot. Then,
when you told me there was no hope
for me you did not mean" His
eyes glowing with sudden tender
ness. @Ah but with sharp remem-
brance-" there is still Noel Dering
You are not free"
Marjory raised her face. "If told
you he did not matter" She began
what do you mean?"
@That we only arranged our engage
ment to please his uncle until
should meet the man / love-" SHY.
4Then was to break 1t off and Noel
would not be to blame; otherwise his
uncle threatened to disinherit him."
And have you met the man you
lover
Marjory was clasped in his arms,
for already her eyes had answered
him.-Joseph R. Reham.