A Social Meteor — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

206 A SOCIAL METEOR. of your own accord? You are all really most kind, in either case, and I thank you sincerely for the interest you still take in me, but I must inform you once and for all, that you are wasting your time and efforts, for Iam a hopeless case, I assure you. ‘To start with, I much prefer New York to R.— and so does Pauline. Now, as we expect to be married before many moons, why should I waste my time in such a miserable country hole? You see——”’ “Stop,” she cried, laying her hand on his arm. “IT swear to you that your father and mother have nothing to do with my coming here—I haven’t spoken to either of them in months,” “Well ?” “I came of my own free will,’ she said. “TI came,’ and here she flushed painfully, “because I do still take an interest in you, as you say. I caine because I believe I still Jove you, and my heart is breaking.” “You love me?” He repeated her words as if he scarcely understood them. “Yes, and,” bitterly, “unfortunately you still have the power to wound and hurt me, so be as light upon meas you can, gears for that reason if for no other.” Gomichbooks (EO)