The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-08-17

uASh CuSlS I6u IndITleS i
won't stay here
He had yearned to take her in his
arms, to tell her that against his
heart she should never again know
loneliness. But he had not dared.
What had he to offer? A boys love.
Against her gold.
So he talked of Jane. ssShe doesn't
want her engagement announced un-
til she gets back. I think she's
right"
Il DON'T" Edith said lazily. IF I
loved man I'd want to shout it
to the world"
They were sitting on a rustic
bench under the blossoming plum
tree. Edith's hands were clasped
behind her head, and the winged
sleeves of her gown fell back and
showed her bare arms. Badly want
ed to unclasp those hands, crush
them to his lps-but instead he
stood up, looking over the river.
do you see the ducks out there?
Wild ones at that. A sign of spring"
She rose and stood beside him.
"And you can talk of-ducks-on a
day like this?"
YES" he did not look at her,
ducks are-safe."
He heard her low laugh. "Silly
boy"
He turned, his gray eyes filed
with linpid light. perhaps I am.
But should be fool if I told you
how I love you. Worship you.
You know it, of course. But nothing
can come of it, even if / were pre-
sumptuous enough to think that you
care"
She swept out her hands in an
appealing gesture. "Say it. / want
to hear"
She was adorable. But he drew
back a little. We've gone too far
and too fast. 1t is my fault, of
course, for being a romantic fool"
I'm afraid we're pair of ro-
mantle fools, Baldy."
He turned and put his hands on
her shoulders. Edith, mustn't.
why not?
''Not until ! have something to
offer you"
You have something to offer"
''Oh, know what you mean. But
II won't. Somehow this affair of
James with your uncle has made
me SEE
"See what?"
''Oh, how the world would look at
it. How he'd look at it."
"Uncle Frederick? He hasn't any,
thing to do with it. I'm my own
mistress"
II know. But-Oh, I can't ana
lyze it, Edith. I love you--no end.
More than-anything. But / won't
ask you to marry me-"
do you know how selfish you
are?"
81 know how wise I am"
She made an impatient gesture.
You're not thinking of me in the
least. You are thinking of your
pride"
He caught her hand in his. 81
am thinking of my pride. Do you
suppose it is easy for me to let
Jane-take money from him? To
feel that there is no man in our
family who can pay the bills? I am
proud. And I'm glad of it. Edith
! want you to be glad that ! won't
take-alms.
Her wise eyes studied him for a
moment. sYou blessed boy. You
blessed poet" she sighed, 81 am
proud of you, but my heart aches
for myself"
He caught her almost roughly in
his arms and in moment released
her. "I'm right, dearest?"
mo, you're not right. If we mar
ried, we'd sail to Italy and have a
villa by the sea. And you would
paint masterpieces. Do you think
my money counts beside your tai
ent? Well, don't"
"My>dear, let me prove my talent
first. As things are now, / couldn't
pay our passage to the other side. !"
''You could. My money would be
yours-your talent mine. A fair ex-
change"
He stuck obstinately to his point
of view. 81 won't tie you to any
promise until I've proved myself. :"
"And We'll lose all these shining
years."
1--WE won't lose moment. I'm
going to work for YOU"
He was, she perceived, on the
heights. But she knew the weari-
ness of the climb.
Coming out of the garden in the
late afternoon, they were aware of
other arrivals at the Inn.
Adelaide and Uncle Fred, by all
the gods" said Edith, as they
peered into the dining-room from
the dimness of the hall. "Oh. don't
let them see -us. Adelaide's such a
bromide"
Adelaide had been plaintive. And
she had limited for the ride. why
not an afternoon ride, Ricky?. 1t
would rest you"
Sorry. But I'm tied up"
81 haven't seen you for ages,
Ricky."
II know, old girl. I've had a
thousand things"
'sI've-missed you"
1t wasn't easy for Frederick to ig-
more that. Adelaide was an attrac-
tive woman.
"Oh, well, can get away at four.
Well have tea at the old Inn."
Heavenly. Ricky, / have a new
blua hat -