And"--the downright and straightforward young woman
continued--"because I know that Brian Kent is trying so hard not to love
me is the real reason why I have not permitted myself to love him."
But the clear-thinking, practical Betty Jo protested quickly: "You must
remember that you are wholly ignorant of Brian Kent's history, except
for the things he has chosen to tell you. And those things in his life
which he has confessed to you are certainly not the things that could
win the love of a girl like you, even though they might arouse your
interest in the man. Interest is not love, Betty Jo. Are you quite sure
that you are not making the mistake that is most commonly made by young
women?"
Betty Jo was compelled to answer that she was not mistaking interest
for love, because had such been the case, she would not be able to so
analyze the situation. Betty Jo's quite womanly prejudice is admitted,
because the prejudice was so womanly, and because Betty Jo herself was
so womanly.
"Very well, Miss Betty Jo," the young woman continued inexorably, "you
are not permitting yourself to love Brian Kent because Brian Kent is
trying not to love you. But, why is the man trying so hard not to love
you?"
Betty Jo thought very hard over this question, and felt her way
carefully to the answer. "It might be, of course, that it is because he
is a fugitive from the law.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181