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<v Speaker 1>Chapter sixteen of Wide Love by Ella chi Va Thayer.

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<v Speaker 1>This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

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<v Speaker 2>O Kay.

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<v Speaker 1>Leaving Clem on no arrival at the hotel to bear

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<v Speaker 1>the burden of the green stuff they had brought from

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<v Speaker 1>the woods, Sin, with a trace of melancholy on her

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<v Speaker 1>sunny face, followed Natty to her room for Sinn's joyous picnic,

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<v Speaker 1>with its gay beginning, had ended sadly enough for her.

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<v Speaker 1>I want to ask you, something, Syn said with frank directness,

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<v Speaker 1>as she carefully closed the door behind them, and that is,

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<v Speaker 1>are you can you be foolish enough to imagine that

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<v Speaker 1>Clem and I are in love with each other? The

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<v Speaker 1>small basket Natty held in her hand fell to the floor.

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<v Speaker 1>At this unexpected question. Had Sin drawn forth a bowie

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<v Speaker 1>knife and playfully clicked off her nose. She could not

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<v Speaker 1>have been more astounded. If you can possibly reduce your

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<v Speaker 1>eyes to their ordinary size and give me a candid

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<v Speaker 1>yes or no, I will be obliged, Seinn said, rather petulantly,

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<v Speaker 1>after waiting in vain for an answer. The events of

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<v Speaker 1>the day had sorely tried her usually even temper a

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<v Speaker 1>little tremulously, while a burning flush covered her face. Natty

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<v Speaker 1>answered her, I I have heard it intimated. You've heard

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<v Speaker 1>it intimated. That means yes to my question, said Syn. Then,

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<v Speaker 1>sinking despairingly on the lounge, she added, here is a

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<v Speaker 1>crisis of which I never dreamed. Not understanding very well,

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<v Speaker 1>and moreover much agitated by the subject, Natty knew not

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<v Speaker 1>what to say. This is awful, went on Sinn, savagely

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<v Speaker 1>beating the pillow with her fist. What contrary things love

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<v Speaker 1>affairs are fearful of having in some way betrayed her secret?

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<v Speaker 1>The only conclusion she could draw from Syn's extraordinary outburst.

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<v Speaker 1>Natty stood looking guiltily at the floor a few moments, Then,

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<v Speaker 1>recovering herself, she went to Sin and said, in a

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<v Speaker 1>voice full of emotion, I do not just comprehend your meaning, dear,

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<v Speaker 1>But it may be you think I might not quite

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<v Speaker 1>like the idea on account of that that first affair

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<v Speaker 1>on the wire. If so, dismiss the thought you and

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<v Speaker 1>clam are suited to each other. And Natty stopped, unable

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<v Speaker 1>to continue. Syin, who had been beating the innocent pillow

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<v Speaker 1>as if it was the cause of all this while

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<v Speaker 1>Natty was speaking, now threw it across the rooms. She exclaimed, Oh,

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<v Speaker 1>the perversity of human nature. Oh, you degenerate girl. As

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<v Speaker 1>if I cared for Clem in that way, I not

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<v Speaker 1>from the first set my heart on this real life

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<v Speaker 1>romance ending in the only way it could rightfully end.

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<v Speaker 1>A sudden light came into Natty's face, but it died

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<v Speaker 1>away in a moment. Then you do not care for him,

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<v Speaker 1>poor Clem, she said in a low voice. Poor Clem, indeed,

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<v Speaker 1>cried Sinn, pacing the floor excitedly. I cannot no, I

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<v Speaker 1>cannot believe it of him. He certainly has sagacity enough

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<v Speaker 1>not to run his head against a beam in broad daylight,

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<v Speaker 1>even if Joe had not. He was about to add,

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<v Speaker 1>but checked herself suddenly, not for the world which she

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<v Speaker 1>betrayed Joe's confidence. What had passed between them to day

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<v Speaker 1>should be a secret, always, never again to be mentioned,

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<v Speaker 1>but never forgotten in the friendship and companionship of after years.

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<v Speaker 1>You must be very difficult to suit, dear, if you

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<v Speaker 1>do not like Clem, said Natty with unconscious significance, after

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<v Speaker 1>waiting in vain for Sin to finish her sentence. It

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<v Speaker 1>is not that, replied Sin, somewhat sadly, do you not

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<v Speaker 1>know I have only one love? Music? Poor Clem, again,

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<v Speaker 1>said Natty from the depths of her tender heart, for

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<v Speaker 1>I know he loves you, dear could not help it.

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<v Speaker 1>Who could? Such words would have been sweet to the

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<v Speaker 1>vanity of an ordinary woman, but on Sin they had

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<v Speaker 1>a very opposite effect. Things have come to a pretty

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<v Speaker 1>pass if one cannot laugh and joke and enjoy one's

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<v Speaker 1>self with friends without being made love to, she said, annoyed. Then,

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<v Speaker 1>looking scrutinizingly at Natty, she asked, and you did you

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<v Speaker 1>really wish Clem and I might love each other? Natty

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<v Speaker 1>played nervously with a fringe of her dress, hesitated, then

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<v Speaker 1>replied in a low tone. I fear I did not sin.

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<v Speaker 2>Then it may come right, yet.

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<v Speaker 1>Exclaimed Sin hopefully. Natty shook her head, and he loving you?

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<v Speaker 1>Oh no, she said, I shall never be able to

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<v Speaker 1>say okay to what you term your romance of the

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<v Speaker 1>dots and dashes sin. In fact, I have made up

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<v Speaker 1>my mind that there are some people born to go

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<v Speaker 1>through life missing both its best and its worst, and

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<v Speaker 1>that I am one.

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<v Speaker 2>Pray do not say.

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<v Speaker 1>That urged Sin, too disturbed to bring her easy philosophy

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<v Speaker 1>to bear on the situation of all things do not

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<v Speaker 1>get morbid. But it is the truth, persisted Natty. Even

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<v Speaker 1>my name, for instance, proves it. I was christened Natalie,

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<v Speaker 1>a very fine poetic name, but in all my life

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<v Speaker 1>no one ever called me by it. I was always mediocre, Natty,

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<v Speaker 1>and I have could tell you down to nat said

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<v Speaker 1>Sin with whimsical remorse.

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<v Speaker 2>But what a tangle we are in. First it was

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<v Speaker 2>the mound of musk and bear's grease who came between you?

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<v Speaker 2>Then when he was explained away, came blundering eye. Why

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<v Speaker 2>did you not lock me out of sight somewhere? I

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<v Speaker 2>would have done it myself had I known, ironically what

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<v Speaker 2>an extremely fascinating and dangerous person I was. At this,

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<v Speaker 2>Natty could not help smiling.

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<v Speaker 1>It was not your fault. It was fate, she said,

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<v Speaker 1>her smile becoming a sigh that Sin echoed as she

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<v Speaker 1>thought of Joe. But yet unconvinced, she said.

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<v Speaker 2>Fate, No, it cannot be. I think better of Clem

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<v Speaker 2>than to believe he too has made a mistake like

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<v Speaker 2>Quimby and fallen.

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<v Speaker 1>In love with the wrong woman. Then, starting up, she exclaimed, tragically,

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<v Speaker 1>who ah, who shall cut to the Gordian knot and

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<v Speaker 1>bring about a crisis that will cause this wired love

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<v Speaker 1>to terminate in o kay as if invoked by Sinn's words.

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<v Speaker 1>There came a sneeze from outside, and Miss Kling pushed

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<v Speaker 1>open the door unceremoniously. I wish to have some conversation

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<v Speaker 1>with you, Miss Rodgers, she said, in a tone of severity,

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<v Speaker 1>some of the time, if you please. Natty replied impatiently,

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<v Speaker 1>for her talk with Syn had unerved her. Just now

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<v Speaker 1>I am engaged. Miss Kling drew herself up and said,

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<v Speaker 1>with even more austerity, there is no time to make

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<v Speaker 1>the peasant, and since miss Archer is here, it may

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<v Speaker 1>not be miss for her to hear what I have

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<v Speaker 1>to say. Natty frowned, but Sinn, not unwilling to be

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<v Speaker 1>diverted even by miss Cling from the topic that was

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<v Speaker 1>so annoying, her said, very well, we are listening, miss Cling.

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<v Speaker 1>Miss Wadgers proceeded Miss Kling solemnly after a preparatory sneeze.

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<v Speaker 1>I knew all the emphasis on the last word was

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<v Speaker 1>truly tremendous, and Natty started astonished, while Syn looked up

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<v Speaker 1>with awakened curiosity. I inquire what you mean by all,

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<v Speaker 1>inquired Natty stiffly, yes, repeated Miss Kling, without heeding the question.

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<v Speaker 2>I know all. I have some times suspected that something

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<v Speaker 2>and the handed was going on. Now I know what

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<v Speaker 2>it is that has been so carefully concealed for me.

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<v Speaker 2>I have long objected to your associates, Miss Wadgers. But

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<v Speaker 2>pardon me, but that certainly does not concern you, interrupted

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<v Speaker 2>Syn disdainfully. Miss Cling looked at her and sneezed a

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<v Speaker 2>sinister sneeze. It concerns me to know what kind of

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<v Speaker 2>people I have in my house, she replied. And since

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<v Speaker 2>you force me to speak out, Miss Archer, I will

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<v Speaker 2>say that, in my opinion, no truly modest and proper

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<v Speaker 2>girl would become intimate with those who pad their legs

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<v Speaker 2>and paint their faces and show themselves to the public.

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<v Speaker 2>This insinuation struck sin so comically that she could hardly

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<v Speaker 2>suppress a laugh. My suspicions to return to what I

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<v Speaker 2>was about to zay, Miss Waters were first awakened by

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<v Speaker 2>hitting that that instrument.

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<v Speaker 1>Sin and Natty exchanged looks of intelligence you.

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<v Speaker 2>Have are gearing when I knew you were not in

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<v Speaker 2>the room, And now as I said, I know all

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<v Speaker 2>I pass over the audacity of such proceedings of my princess,

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<v Speaker 2>but the atter immoralities too much for me to bear. Yes,

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<v Speaker 2>I found a wire, and I know old leeds into

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<v Speaker 2>the room of two young men. That any young woman

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<v Speaker 2>should so immodests to establish telegraphic communication between her bedroom

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<v Speaker 2>and the bedroom of two young men is beyond my comprehension.

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<v Speaker 2>Syn felt a mischievous desire to inquire howel struck her

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<v Speaker 2>had it been the bedroom of one young man. Natty,

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<v Speaker 2>who had flushed Crimson at the first knowledge of Miss

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<v Speaker 2>Kling's discovery, now drew herself up and replied, with dignity,

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<v Speaker 2>will you, miss Kling? I think this extravagance of language

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<v Speaker 2>utterly uncalled for. I admit it was not exactly correct

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<v Speaker 2>for me to allow the wire to be won without

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<v Speaker 2>consulting you, But beyond that, there was nothing reprehensible in

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<v Speaker 2>my conduct. Miss Kling held her hands up in horror.

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<v Speaker 2>Nothing reprehensible in being connected by a telegraph wire with

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<v Speaker 2>two young men, she exclaimed, nothing excuse my intrusion, but sin,

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<v Speaker 2>will you please'm for me if I understand all night

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<v Speaker 2>loaded with green stuff like a farmer on a market day.

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<v Speaker 2>At this point, the merry voice of Clem interrupted as

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<v Speaker 2>he came hastily in, still bearing the burden sin and

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<v Speaker 2>piled upon him. Then, becoming aware of missus Kling's presence,

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<v Speaker 2>he added to her, I beg pardon for my abrupt entrance.

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<v Speaker 2>With the outer door being open, I made bold to enter. Then,

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<v Speaker 2>explanatory to sin, your door was locked, as also was mine,

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<v Speaker 2>of which Quimby has the key, and as Celest has

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<v Speaker 2>not yet been able to part with him. There I

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<v Speaker 2>have been standing in the hall like patience with a

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<v Speaker 2>load of dandelions. We were having such an interesting conversation,

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<v Speaker 2>Sinn answered, with a scornful glance in Miss Kling's direction.

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<v Speaker 2>But I quite forgot you, and the lapse of time.

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<v Speaker 2>Clem instantly became aware of something amiss in the atmosphere

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<v Speaker 2>and glanced around inquiringly. Miss Kling immediately enlightened him. There

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<v Speaker 2>were many things you make bold to do, young man,

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<v Speaker 2>she said, putting telegraph apparatus in my house, for instance,

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<v Speaker 2>ah exclaimed Clem comprehensively. Years went on the aggrieved Miss Kling.

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<v Speaker 2>You and at Quimby, I suppose did it? The idea

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<v Speaker 2>originated with you? Of course he hasn't brains enough if

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<v Speaker 2>he had the not marry Celeste, and Miss Ling sniffed

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<v Speaker 2>in auta contempt of poor Quimby. Thanks for the compliment

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<v Speaker 2>to my intellectual abilities, said Clem with a mischievous look.

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<v Speaker 2>Then advancing towards her, he answered in his own frank,

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<v Speaker 2>manly ways. And so you have found us out, but

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<v Speaker 2>I trust you will not be offended with us. It is,

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<v Speaker 2>after all a trifle. And we said nothing about it

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<v Speaker 2>merely because we wished to have a little mystery of

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<v Speaker 2>our own. It was, as the newsboys would say, a

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<v Speaker 2>lock of ours, Locke, repeated Miss Kling, drawing herself up stiffly.

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<v Speaker 2>Young man, you will oblige me by not using slang

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<v Speaker 2>in my presence. Pardon me, said Clem, good humoredly. And

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<v Speaker 2>in regard to the wire, blame me if you must

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<v Speaker 2>blame any one, as you say, it was all my doing.

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<v Speaker 2>And I induced Miss Rogers to allow the wire to

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<v Speaker 2>come into her room. And I too, added syn propitiatingly,

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<v Speaker 2>for Natty's sake. I wished to learn the business you knew,

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<v Speaker 2>but Miss Kling would not propitiate Miss Rogers, I have

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<v Speaker 2>no doubt, was very ready to be induced, she said,

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<v Speaker 2>with an effort at sarcasm. I have heard of young

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<v Speaker 2>females so much in love that they would run after

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<v Speaker 2>and pursue young men, But never before of one so

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<v Speaker 2>carried away and so lost to every sense of decorum

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<v Speaker 2>as to be obliged to have a wire, would run

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<v Speaker 2>from the room to his in order to communicate with

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<v Speaker 2>him at improper times. This accusation, far fetched and ridiculous

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<v Speaker 2>as it was yet being uttered in the presence of Clem,

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<v Speaker 2>overwhelmed poor Natty, and she sank on the lounge, burying

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<v Speaker 2>her face in her hands, at which Clem made a

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<v Speaker 2>hasty motion, and then, as if aware any interference of

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<v Speaker 2>his would only make matters worse, checked himself, but syn

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<v Speaker 2>came to the front with striking effort. You ought certainly

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<v Speaker 2>to be well informed on the subject of old females

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<v Speaker 2>who run after old men, she said, witheringly. If one may.

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<v Speaker 1>Believe that the tour what mister Fishblait says, this shot told.

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<v Speaker 1>Miss Cling turned livid with rage and mortification, and burst

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<v Speaker 1>into a terrific spasm of sneezing. Miss Rogers, she said, wrathfully.

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<v Speaker 1>As soon as she recovered sufficiently to speak, Your conduct

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<v Speaker 1>and that of your associates is such that I can

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<v Speaker 1>no longer allow you to remain on my premises. Miss Kling.

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<v Speaker 1>This is is very unjust, said the agitated Natty. It

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<v Speaker 1>is against the wishes of her friends that she has

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<v Speaker 1>remained as long as she has cried syn hotly, Miss Kling,

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<v Speaker 1>your proceedings are infamous, exclaimed Clem, not able to contain

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<v Speaker 1>himself longer, rather afraid to draw out Sin any more,

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<v Speaker 1>Miss Kling gladly seized this opportunity to attack Clem, young man.

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<v Speaker 1>What right of you to interfere? She inquired majestically. Clem

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<v Speaker 1>bit his lip, sure enough, what right had he? He

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<v Speaker 1>glanced at Natty, where she sat pale and disturbed that

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<v Speaker 1>the scene threatened to end seriously for her, and then,

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<v Speaker 1>obeying a sudden impulse, seized the key at his side

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<v Speaker 1>and called N N N. Natty looked up quickly, and

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<v Speaker 1>while Miss Kling, who supposed he was wantonly drumming on

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<v Speaker 1>the obnoxious instrument to exasperate her, vented her indignation and

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<v Speaker 1>also the outraged feelings caused by the torpedo wound inflicted

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<v Speaker 1>by Sin. Still Rankling in a wrathful homily, to which

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<v Speaker 1>no one listened, for sin was watching Clem curiously, he

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<v Speaker 1>wrote rapidly, his eyes on the sounder, He says, I

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<v Speaker 1>have no right to interfere. If you had not so

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<v Speaker 1>changed towards me, If I could hope you loved me

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<v Speaker 1>as I have ever loved you, I would ask you

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<v Speaker 1>to give me the right and let me put this

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<v Speaker 1>pernicious discredit to her sex on the other side of

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<v Speaker 1>that door. As these words and dots and dashes came

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<v Speaker 1>to her ears, Natty forgetting Miss Kling, forgetting everything except

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<v Speaker 1>that she loved Clem, And Clem declare, could it be

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<v Speaker 1>possible that he loved her? Arose hastily, with a quick

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<v Speaker 1>joy suffusing her face, and then their eyes met, and

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<v Speaker 1>neither words or dots and ashes were needed. Love, more

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<v Speaker 1>potent than electricity, required no interpreter, and that most powerful

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<v Speaker 1>of all magnets drew them together before the face and

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<v Speaker 1>eyes of the amazed Miss Kling, who had just delivered

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<v Speaker 1>herself of a sentence intended to be crushing and could

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<v Speaker 1>not conceive why her victim should suddenly look so happy

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<v Speaker 1>over it, advanced to Natty's side, clasped her hand, eagerly

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<v Speaker 1>and tenderly, then, turning to Miss Kling, said, whilstin surmising

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<v Speaker 1>the truth of the matter, embraced herself fervently, Miss Kling,

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<v Speaker 1>and if other observations you may have to make, you

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<v Speaker 1>will be good enough to say to me hereafter and

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<v Speaker 1>now will you oblige me by leaving the room? And

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<v Speaker 1>he politely held open the door. What gasped Miss Kling,

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<v Speaker 1>hardly believing her own ears. I cannot allow you to

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<v Speaker 1>annoy Miss Rodgers, the lady who is to be my wife.

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<v Speaker 1>Clym added, and if she and I choose to have

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<v Speaker 1>twelve telegraph wires, we will let me bid you good evening,

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<v Speaker 1>and he pointed significantly at the open door. Your wife,

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<v Speaker 1>Miss Rogers, echoed the discomfited Miss Kling, and glanced at

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<v Speaker 1>the blushing natty, at sin and disguisedly exultant, and at Clym,

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<v Speaker 1>determinedly waiting for her to go out. This was something

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<v Speaker 1>she had not expected, and it took her aback, though

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<v Speaker 1>with a sneeze. She drew herself up gave a spiteful

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<v Speaker 1>parting shot. Well, she's worked hard enough to get you

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<v Speaker 1>had to bring the telegraph to her assistance, and then

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<v Speaker 1>retreated before Sin could retaliate with the torpedo. Retreated to

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<v Speaker 1>her own room to nurse her wrath and envy, and

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<v Speaker 1>to dream hopelessly. However, more of that other her self,

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<v Speaker 1>never to come nearer than now. The discreet Sin, comprehending

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<v Speaker 1>that miss Cling had brought about that crisis, and at

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<v Speaker 1>something had been said by the wire to the right purpose,

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<v Speaker 1>followed her out and left them alone. Tis hardly necessary

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<v Speaker 1>to mention that as soon as the door closed behind

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<v Speaker 1>Sin plem took Natty in his arms and kissed her.

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<v Speaker 1>It was an inevitable consequence. And now explain why you

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<v Speaker 1>have treated me so you contrary, little girl, he queried. Tenderly,

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<v Speaker 1>I thought, Natty replied, raising her gray eyes from which

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<v Speaker 1>the shadows were all gone, now to his That you

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<v Speaker 1>loved Sin, You did, he said, surprised and reproachful, And

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<v Speaker 1>that is why you have been so cold and distant.

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<v Speaker 1>How could you? But Sin is so handsome, and I

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<v Speaker 1>do not see how you could help it, pleaded Natty

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<v Speaker 1>in self extenuation. Of course, she is handsome, talented, brilliant,

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<v Speaker 1>fascinating everything that is nice, claim answered, but in a

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<v Speaker 1>low voice, Sin was not my little girl that b m.

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<v Speaker 1>Of course, after this there was another inevitable consequence, and

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<v Speaker 1>then Claire masked, and did you care because you imagined

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<v Speaker 1>your naughty, jealous girl that I loved Sin, Yes, Natty answered, blushing,

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<v Speaker 1>But honestly I was very unhappy. Indeed I was Clem.

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<v Speaker 1>I think I loved you from the first when you

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<v Speaker 1>were invisible, you know, And I said, Clem should have

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<v Speaker 1>given myself up a victim to despair like Quimby, if

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<v Speaker 1>it had not been for one thing. Joe made me

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<v Speaker 1>a duplicate of that picture you destroyed, and the fact

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<v Speaker 1>that you never even mentioned the cupid overhead gave me hope.

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<v Speaker 1>And his own roguish look was in his eyes as

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<v Speaker 1>he saw Natty's confusion, and laughing his merry laugh, he

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<v Speaker 1>clasped her in his arms. I beg pardon, said Sin,

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<v Speaker 1>tapping and entering after a cautious interval. But I come

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<v Speaker 1>to inquire if nat I mean Natalie still thinks, as

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<v Speaker 1>she did an hour ago, that Clem and I ad

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<v Speaker 1>just suited to each other. Natty laughed and blushed. You see,

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<v Speaker 1>I set my heart on this the beginning, said Syn

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<v Speaker 1>to Clem, not thinking it necessary to define to what

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<v Speaker 1>this referred. It was such a perfect romance, you know,

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<v Speaker 1>as she has been frightening me by declaring that you

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<v Speaker 1>were in love with me, and was so positive that

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<v Speaker 1>you almost made me believe it, notwithstanding my natural sagacity,

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<v Speaker 1>as I certainly should have been replied clem gallantly, only

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<v Speaker 1>for a prior attachment. You see, I loved Natty before

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<v Speaker 1>ever I saw you. Why I used to pass the

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<v Speaker 1>most of my time when at x N in wondering

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<v Speaker 1>what she was like, and wishing I was as near

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<v Speaker 1>her as I am now, for instance, And how miserable

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<v Speaker 1>I was when she dropped me so suddenly, and how

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<v Speaker 1>happy I was when I came upon her at that

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<v Speaker 1>blessed feast, and the red hair was all explained away.

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<v Speaker 1>And then came another cross on the circuit of my

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<v Speaker 1>true love. And had it not been for that dear

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<v Speaker 1>Betsy Cling with her invectives, we should have been mixed.

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<v Speaker 2>Not at a cue.

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<v Speaker 1>Now exclaimed Syn, I declare I could hug her, but

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<v Speaker 1>Betsy Cling not being available, just then she substituted Natty

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<v Speaker 1>and gave her a most emphatic squeeze. It was your

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<v Speaker 1>shot about the torpedo that finished her, Sin laughed, Clem.

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<v Speaker 2>It was effective. I flatter myself, Sin confessed, and that

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<v Speaker 2>reminds me. You must not stay here now, nat You

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<v Speaker 2>know so I've seen missus Simmonson, and you are going

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<v Speaker 2>to live with me for the present, glancing archly at her,

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<v Speaker 2>until that book is written. For instance, it will be written, now,

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<v Speaker 2>I know, said Natty earnestly, her eyes shining. You remember

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<v Speaker 2>what you once said, Sin, I see now you were right, yes,

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<v Speaker 2>said Sin, seriously, and thank Heaven that it was love

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<v Speaker 2>and not disappointment that came. Love shall not calm in vain,

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<v Speaker 2>Natty said, as seriously, I will be worthy of it.

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<v Speaker 2>The after years only could prove her words, But in

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<v Speaker 2>Clem's face, the belief in them was written as plainly

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<v Speaker 2>as if those future possibilities were acknowledged results. We must

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<v Speaker 2>have another feast to celebrate events. Sin then said, gaily,

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<v Speaker 2>you are happy. My romance is okay, Celeste is ecstatic.

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<v Speaker 2>Quimby as joyful as circumstances permit the victim of a

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<v Speaker 2>mistake to be do. And I hope will of future fame.

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<v Speaker 2>And we certainly must have a feast with plenty of dishes.

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<v Speaker 2>This time, laughed Clem. Er, there shall be no more

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<v Speaker 2>crosses on the wire, and bless my heart ejaculated sin,

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<v Speaker 2>there you too are making love like ordinary models. At

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<v Speaker 2>this Natty hastily withdrew the hand Clym had taken Quimby

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<v Speaker 2>and Celeste, for instance. This will never do. We must

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<v Speaker 2>end this romance of dots and dashes as it commenced,

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<v Speaker 2>to make it truly wired love. True enough, so we must,

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<v Speaker 2>answered Clem merrily, and rising, he went to the quay

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<v Speaker 2>with his eyes looking straight into Natty's, and wrote something

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<v Speaker 2>that made her blush and seize his hand in sly

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<v Speaker 2>and unnecessary alarm, saying, suppose Joe should be over in

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<v Speaker 2>your room, he might be.

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<v Speaker 1>Able to read it.

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<v Speaker 2>Very well, replied Clem, as he laughed and kissed, regardless

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<v Speaker 2>of the spectator, I am quite content to make love

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<v Speaker 2>like a common mortal's sin. And I hope, my darling Natty,

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<v Speaker 2>that we are done now with all brakes and crosses,

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<v Speaker 2>as we are with wired love. Thenceforth ours shall be

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<v Speaker 2>the pure, unalloyed article genuine love. And Natty, half laughing,

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<v Speaker 2>half serious, but wholly glad, took the key and wrote,

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<v Speaker 2>ou Kay. If any one is anxious to know what

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<v Speaker 2>Clem wrote when Natty stopped him here, it is my

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<v Speaker 2>little darling, my wife. End of chapter sixteen, end of

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<v Speaker 2>Wired Love by Elle Chiva there read by Edmund Bloxam

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<v Speaker 2>in London, UK,