Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1925-10-13

Mans heart melted. The motherli
ness which is the best part of the
love all women bear to man rose
uppermost in her heart. She for.
got everything but her pity for him
''You imagine these things" she
said gently. Its because you know
there are some things you have for
gotten that you are always dread
ing to come across them" She
tried to smile.
at must be ages since | started
to clear away the tea ," she said
briskly. Are you going to help
me?"
1t was q daring challenge to her
self; a mighty effort to get back to
normal.
Peter agreed with her at once; he
picked up a pile Of plates and fol-
lowed her to the kitchen; he joked
with the surprised maid there; when
the last cup had been carried out he
looked at Nan laughingly.
Il shall apply for the job Of bat
man if I'm no good for anything
else" he said.
Mans eyes grew startled.
"But-but you won't ever have
to go back" she said quickly.
His face sobered.
Pm hoping to-I'm tired of be
ing on the shelf already. At the
present moment I'm going about
looking for some kind friend who
will give me a tremendous shock.
he said banteringly. "They told me
before | came home that shock
might give me back what a shock
had taken away. -. - He stlfied
a sigh. 'T'm not very sangulne
though. / must admit.
Don't think about it," Nan an
swered hurriedly. "And now ! am
going TO turn you out. Mrs. Nears
will be angry with me for keeping
you so long as it is.
She spoke purposely, hoping he
would say that he did not care; but
Peter only laughed.
ooh, she'll forgive me, ne SAID
lightly.
They went down to the gate to-
gether. 1t was when Nan shut 1t be-
tween them that Peter said sudden
$50 there is no truth in-in what
Seton says?"
Mans face famed.
what do you mean? What has
he been saying?" she asked quickly
"Only that-that you are engag-
ed to him, Mrs. Mears heard it IN
the village last night. 1t was she
who told me-"
was that why you came here today
Eyes"
His eyes met hers steadily
through the dusk. "But as you say
it isn't true.
Nan stood very still. She knew
now how sure of her Seton must
be and her whole nature revolted
against him and his so called love
for her.
She would never marry hlm-she
hated him. She was not afraid OF
him he could not force her. i
"As you say it is isn't true,
Peter began again.
Nan raised her eyes. Across Pc
ter's shoulder she seemed to see
harley Sefton's eyes threatening
her.
"But-but l never said it wasn't
true" she faltered.
They looked at one another with
out speaking; to Nan, at least, II
seemed as if a great emptiness had
settled down upon the world-as II
the words which she herself spoken
had stunned the still spring night
into silence, hushing even the
sleepy song of the birds and the
soft voice of the breeze in the trees
overhead
Then the stamp of feet sounded
down the still path behind her and
Claudie's shrlll voice called her
her name.
"Nan-Nan
She turned at once
Excuse me, won't you-and
good bye"
She did not look at Lyster; she
fled back to the house; there was a
curious singing noise in her head
she passed Claudio in the doorway
she drew some water from the tap
and drank it off thristily.
Nan went up to her hoom and
locked the door.
1t was useless to deceive herself
that anything more than ordinary
friendly interest had prompted Pc
ter's visit; she went carefully over
every word he had said, every look
ne had given her, and she knew
that there was nothing-nothing &c
long to hide in her heart.
1t was nothing-nothing.
out forever" she thought; 81 car
| can go on eating my hear