It had better stop now."
"Very well, George; it can stop now if you like; but I never could
have lived without talking it out with you and telling you how glad
I am for your gift to the Society."
"Look here, don't you go and make any mistakes on that line. I'm giving
nothing to the Society or the church. That bit of land goes to the
poor, cold, hungry fellows, who are down on their luck, like Dick here
was. I tell you what though, Clara, if you'll say yes, I'll add the
house and enough to furnish it besides."
The girl hesitated for just a moment. Here was temptation added to
temptation. Then she pulled on her rubbers and rose to go. "No, George,
No, I cannot. You know you would not need to buy me if I felt it right
to say yes."
"But I'm going to keep on asking you just the same," said George.
"You won't get angry if I keep it up, will you?"
"I--guess--not. I feel rather badly when you don't. I don't like to
say no; but I would feel awful if you didn't give me a chance to say
it. Good-bye George."
"Good-bye dearest. You can't forbid me loving you anyway, and some day
you'll take me for what I am."
Clara shook her head. "You know," she said.
As the door closed, Dick wheeled around from the press, holding out
his ink-stained hand to George.
"What's the matter?" said the other wonderingly, but grasping the
outstretched hand of his helper.
"I want to shake hands with a man, that's all," said Dick. "Why don't
you join the church and win her?"
"Because if I did that I wouldn't be worthy of her," said George.
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