The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-10-04

He takes delight in thwarting all nv
wishes, he makes my life wretched. Inject
you-you are kind and don't swear at me
when tumble against you, and you pick
up my bundles. which Is something so for
eign to all my experience that l fall in love
with you at once. But Of course I don't
know 1t, people arc not apt to know those
things-in stories-soI don't dream of it.
Then by series Of condolences which
couldn't happen anywhere except in stories
we'll fill in the details after we've sketched
out the plot-we met accidentally several
times, and all the time out Of Difference to
the opinions and prejudices of the reader I
still don't suspect the state of my feelings,
and you of course are equally in the dark.
swell, now, about that time, something
must happen to reveal to us as by lightning
stroke that we love one another, tor by this
time you, moved by the spectacle of, not
beauty in distress, but by more distressing
exhibition Of ugliness suffering trifle more
than her just deserts, are feeling that pity
that is said to be akin to commoner SEN
timent.
will reveal all this to US without shocking
the delicacy OF the most rigidly conven-
tlonal reader, who must be made to see and
admit that we couldn't have done differ
emily.
'Let me see, the presence OF death gem
orally comes in to countenance people in
similar situations"
I'VE might be drowning" suggested Mr..
Dunlap. "You fall in, rush to save you,
you know, an jist ez we was sinkin' for the
last time, while every thing in our past lives
was comm up before US, we both re-
member the time when 1 rescued your
bundles and then it comes to US both that
we love each other. Folks couldn't find no
fault with that, couldn't theyr
SWELL no." said the lady, thoughtfully,
~ don't think the most rigid moralist could
object to two people finding out that they
love one another when they are sinking for
the last time with their lungs full Of water,
and theproverbial straw of thedrowuing man
is slipping from their nerveless grasp. But
what object to is that it makes the story
too short. haven't suffered enough yet to
satisfy the practiced reader. We must be
brought near enough to the verge of this
world 50 that we feel ourselves beyond the
reach of ordinary regulations and still
be left with articulation enough to reveal
our innoxious love. Then there must be a
rescue and reconciliation for the purpose of
overwhelming - with shame, contrition
and remorse."
''Somebody can come along and pull us
out of the WATER" suggested Mr.. Dunlap,
who felt that he was not contributing his
share to the story, land bring us to by roll
ing US on barrels"
'Rolling on barrels may be the scientific
method of resuscitation, but science is no.
toriously unavailable for poetic purposes
Besides" she continued, with extreme
gravity, ''it seems to me that two we'll
meaning persons like ourselves are going to
suffer sufficiently from our consciences
without the additional anguish of being
rolled on barrels. Let us be Just before we
are generous even in punishments. Now,
think, as OH acquaintance began in rail-
way station, we might preserve the unities
whenever we can. A railroad accident at
this point is necessary to the evolution of
the story. Can you arrange one that will
be about what we require?'
The lady had been talking so rapidly that.
Mr.. Dunlap had followed her in rather q
gasping condition. This would never do in
a man who prided himself on his conversa-
tional ability, and he dashed boldly into the
breach.
1.-THE train must be derailed and thrown
down steep embankment. We are caught
together under the seats and debris. (Mr
Dunlap rhymed this word with remiss), and
to add to the horrors of the situation the
car takes fire from the overturned stove,
and there we are! clasp yo1 in my arms
and say Il would save you if could, darling,
but as I can't we will die together;;'" and he
paused for breath, convinced that he had
established his reputation as man who
could say 'pretty things as well as the next
one when he took q notion tor
''That's it exactly" replied his compan-
ion. Il murmur some appropriate reply,
and just as the fire is getting 80 uncomfort-
ably hot we hardly know where we are,
some one breaks in the window and rescues
US. am so mortified at my ill-timed con.
fession don't know what to do, and you
say that as we can never forget our declara-
tions, suppose that we go to Europe to-
gether. Now there's strong situation. A
horribly brutal husband in the background
and love and Europe urged upon my &C
ceptance. Europe, that l have always pas
sionately longed to see and the man love
to 60 with me-ah-"
She drew q loag breath and her keen,
restless eyes grew soft with look of mex
pressible gentleness; her odd, anxious feat
urcs wore an expression of infinite yearn-
ing and tenderness.
Though not vainer than the generality of
men, Mr.. Dunlap felt that perhaps this story
was not wholly make-believe as far as her
love for him was concerned. 1t was barely
possible that she had fallen in love with
story to test his feelings. He was strangely
moved and murmured: "And we 70 to Eu-
rope and are happy forever after"
$vlo In 0oi,
never do. Have you forgotten the scandal
sadly but steadfastly, and turning away
with q look Of stern resolution and renun-
citation part from you forever, and go to
look after my fellow travellers who are less
mortally wounded than myself. The bored
reader lays down the book and says with a
yawn that the story didn't come out we'll.
The husband ought to have died."
The short rainy afternoon had drawn to a
close, and the lamps about the station were
all lighted.
swell, have had q pleasant afternoon
but suppose it's most time for US to part,''
said Mr.. Dunlap.
Eyes," she answered, sadly.
The sparkle had all died out of her face
and tones; she looked worn, discouraged and
woe-begone. Her companion was more and
more convinced that her story was founded
on her love for him and the fact of an inhu-
man husband. He was filed with pity, but
could think Of nothing to say.
''It'u be rather dismal going to Montrea,
In the dark, i" he said, after pause. II HAD
counted on seeing something Of the country"
"Why not wait till tomorrow or next
daya" she asked, with suppressed eagerness
10, must 60" he answered, vaguely.
She looked down ct the floor for some
time with = look OF tue4pressible sadness,
She scanned trying TO make ditlcult Fesolu-
ttop, A. )ast she Looked up With . strange,
taeeyvteble expression, and satd IN 4 low,
{epped tone! ::
"y'eass dent ~ fss Q day Or tive, 3wsut