All-Story Weekly, March 1, 1919 — page 170: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“Yes; very much,” he aided, staring at the floor between his solidly planted feet. “T was too much excited to explain things that morning. I didn’t take time to say that I fell in love with you up at the lake—the. first day you went out fishing with me. “But I did, for a fact, Miss Dean. I think you’re the finest woman I ever met.” She raised a protesting hand. “Tm not,” she said. ‘“ I know I’m not.” “T’m the judge, Miss Dean—and you are. I’ve been thinking it all over and there isn’t any question about it. You’re the one \ woman. And I’m asking you if you will marry me, just for that reason.’ Miss Dean’ s face was grave and her eyes kindly as she studied him. “T’m very -nuch honored, Mr. Higgins,” she said, after a pause. ™“‘ Oh, yes; I am. And particularly because you don’t really know a thing about me.” ‘IT know enough,” said Higgins, quickly. “T’m satisfied.” She shook her head. “No; you don’t know enough,” she an- swered, — “Plenty,” he affirmed, stoutly. “ I know you’re the finest woman in the world.” Miss Dean sighed again. “ But if that’s all that’s worrying you,” he added, ‘‘ you can tell me about yourself. I'll be glad to listen.” Slowly her head moved from side to side. “Tt doesn’t make any difference what you tell me,” he said, “it won’t change anything; that’s certain. So you can go right ahead; that is, if you like.” “ T—I can’t tell you anything,” she said, and watched the effect of her announcement. Higgins neither winced-nor showed sur- prise. “That’s all right,” he said, nodding. “Ym not asking it; I just thought maybe you’d sooner say something. I love you just the same, Miss Dean, and I’m still ask- ing you to marry me,’ There was an instant when it seemed that _ Miss Dean was about to lose her poise. There was a mixture of trouble and com- passion in her eyes. “Tt is fine of you,” she murmured. “Truly. Understand, I mean that; every word. But—” ~ALL- STORY WEEKLY. He halted her with a sudden gesture. “* Wait,” he said. ‘“ I don’t see where it’s fine of me. I’m just asking for what I want; that’s all. The trouble is, Miss Dean, I don’t: know how to go about it right. T hat is, I can’t make it—well, I suppose what they call romantic. . “Tm not built’ that way. I can’t do it the way they do it in plays. And I suppose a woman expects it, too. But for all that I want you to understand that I mean it just as much as the fellow who says it better.” ‘‘T know you do,” she said firmly. “ And I think you say it as well as anybody pos- sibly could. But—” She hesitated on the ominous word and Higgins braced himself. ‘You can go ahead now,” he said grimly. “T can’t marry you. é: They sat in silence for half a minute and then Higgins lifted a solemn face. “Ts it all right for me to ask why?” he said. rT Why, , 7 Miss Dean was having real difficulty, and it caused her some misgiving as well as surprise. ‘* Say it right out,” he advised.. “ Well, I don’t love you, Mr. ‘Higgins. v He pondered that for awhile. ‘“‘ Perhaps not yet,” he ventured. “ But I’m willing to wait. And Ill be patient, too.”’ She shook her head. “Tt wouldn’t be any use to wait, Mr. Higgins. I’m absolutely certain of that.” “Ts there anything — particular — about -me—I mean anything you don’t like?” ‘Not at all! Why, I like you very much indeed,” she exclaimed. ‘“‘ But that’s very different from loving somebody. And, of course, I couldn’t marry anybody I didn’t love.” ‘““ T suppose not, ” he said. “ No; I sup- pose not. But you might love me, after awhile.” It is often difficult for a lady to tell a gentleman she does not love him. Miss Dean was finding it a rather painful affair. But it is’ even more difficult to tell him that by no possibility can he ever hope to be loved, no matter how long may be the fu- Se th CL pee ae ; lets 4 MIATA cal ch Veale tL wi ee feet mw ‘ ; A dh ON | vi ra The an ro if in ft , Wide i als m, (Ahab ff «= - a Pul'h P Wi i i ae ‘ it ee | . iy ; ay ND a rh yi ND) Wii har Bir h ee UAH ANN Mek a haat ib