The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-05-27

very mundane footing" he said un
comfortably. you talk as If 1t were
just a business arrangement"
LAS it is-to me-" she answered
And there is another thing--the
boys I can't leave them, OF
course"
He frowned.
I'VE can make some arrangement
for Them" he said quickly. 1.-THE
two older ones a 60 to a boarding
s~chool-but l suppose the youngest
is not old enough"
Nan cried out Indignantly.
Claude! Oh, I can't part from
Claude"
Il haven't asked you to part from
him. he answered. Some arrange.
ment can be made. I hear your
father is away"
Eyes; I don't know when he will
be back"
He half smiled.
"He, at least, will be pleased"
YES" said Nan. Il told him be-.
fore he went away that you had
asked me to marry you"
He looked amazed.
You're a cool hand" he said, in
faint amazement.
IF that's all you've got to say"
she began.
But it isn't" He came closer.
Man, I've brought you a ring-at
least, I've brought several for you
to choose from"
He took some little cases from his
pocket and put them down on the
table.
Nan made no attempt to open
them.
He waited a moment.
Not i~nterested?" he asked. He
opened the snap Of n case and
showed her a magnificent half-hoop
of diamonds. Most women would
go made with delight Over that" he
said, with satisfaction.
Il don't care for diamonds" said
Nan
She was wondering what she
should do with Peters ring.
Il wish you would choose" she
said again. II would much rather
you chose"
He gave a little exclamation of
annoyance.
What has happened to your" he
asked. You seem to have lost all
your spirit"
L box how'd &c che ,uould
have turned away
Don't you care a hang for me.
Nan?" he asked roughly.
Her blue eyes met his; she gave a
little SILVER.
mo" she said. You know I
don't" She tried to free herself.
There isn't any need to pretend, is
there?" she asked. You don't care
about me either, I know"
"Why do you think want you
then?"
She shook her head.
Il don't know-because you
thought I should be hard to get, per
haps: some men are like that"
I'm fond Of you" he told her
roughly. Il swear that I'm fond
Of you've never cared for anyone
else in all my life"
II have" said Nan. with a queer
little laugh.
He flung away from her impa'
tiently.
ITS that internal fellow Lyster.
... Why can't you forget him. ]
should have thought you would nave
more pride than to 90 crying for q
man who has treated you as he has.
Make up your mind to forget him"
III I hadn't" said Nan quietly, u
shouldn't have said ! would marry
you, and now If you've quite done
with me ! should like to go and put
the boys to bed"
you think more Of those little
devils than you do Of me-" he said
jealously.
She stood waiting with a sort Of
weary resignation; he had been right
when he said that she seemed to have
lost all her spirit; nothing he could
say now seemed TO have the power
to rouse her.
He swept the little ring cases back
into his pocket.
nm going" he said roughly.
But he came back almost at once;
he looked at her with a sort Of angry
abasement.
"I'd DO anything for you, Nan
anything" he said.
He did not wait for her answer.
and in another moment she heard
the front door bang behind him.
To Be Continued q