Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1912)

66 THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE stood like one helpless, with everything in the world just out of reach. Nell nodded her head, and he gave a sigh of relief, and what was meant for an expression of joy sounded like a sob. He drew nearer, trying in vain to restrain his longing to take her in his arms. "No! no! Not here!" she begged, pushing back her chair. ' ' But, Nell ! Nell ! I love you ! ' ' he protested. "But you must think — think what all this will mean. You must think of what your father will say ! ' ' "Oh, what do we care, if we But do you love me, then, Nell? If you wont let me come near you, at least tell me, or I '11 go mad ! ' ' "Be patient, only be patient. This is all so serious," soothed the girl. "But I've told you everything — give me just a little in return." Richard was making a very pitiable effort to restrain his impulsiveness. "Richard " "Yes, yes!" he urged, hungrily, his face now no longer anxious. "I will tell you anything, but I cant bear to think of what every one must say — that I came here, your father's stenographer, and — and " "His son fell in love with you. I cant see anything that you can be blamed for in that, ' ' insisted Richard. ' ' But you, and every one else, could, if I accepted your advances in your own house?" "Perhaps they would think differently if you accepted them in some one else's house," pursued Richard, evasively. ■ But cant you see ? We must not ! ' ' She was sobbing now, in the ferment of her emotions. "There, there, little girl!" cried Richard, distraught with all that a man feels the first time he sees the woman he loves in tears. ' ' I promise to say no more — now. But tell me at least that I may come and see you, and then we can talk it all over." " No ! no ! It should — it must — end now!" said Nell, shaking her head sadly. "But I tell you, girl, it cant end now — except in one way." The girl looked at him intently for a moment. "And your father?" "If my father, or anybody, should try to get between us, why — why " "Very well, I'll agree," said Nell, quickly, frightened at the tragic, threatening look in the boy's eyes. "Let me come tonight — at your home?" he pleaded. "I'd rather you met me at my aunt's." ' ' Why ? " he asked, almost jealously. "I have a brother who takes very little interest in anything outside of his crazy inventions, except to regulate who shall call on his sister. I think he would seriously object to you." "I'll take my chances." There was a step in the hall. "Very well," she said, resignedly. Mr. Johns entered, casting a keen glance at the two faces as he strode to his desk. He usually set about a definite routine immediately upon taking his seat, but now he sat, with wrinkled brows, tapping the desk almost nervously. Suddenly he turned on his son, with a frown. 1 ' After this, Richard, I shall require all of Miss Lane's time. I'll have to ask you to make other arrangements for your dictation. Sorry." He wheeled round to his desk again, with his son's angry eyes fastened upon him. Then Richard smiled, as the truth dawned on him. The admonition had come too late. "Very well, dad," he said, leaving the room, his last look at the pretty face, now overcast with anxiety. That evening, at seven, after Nell and her mother had washed the supper dishes, they went to the cozy living-room. Nell had been trying to tell her mother the great secret, but Dave, her inventor brother, had been within earshot all the while. Richard was due within an hour. "You're not looking well tonight, Nellie. Is that boss of yours overworking you?" asked her mother, solicitously.