Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-03-21
A MISUNDERSTANDING
BY KATE NJ. CLEARE.

ID hAL1~ CA6Ah2-
Going to the literary tonight"
Bob Benham nodded
''Who are you taking?"
"Sylva Merigold."
ooh" said Reuben Bassett.
The single word was uttered so de-
spondently that Benham looked up at his
cousin IN a manner half questioning, half
quizzical.
Blushing 1.-The girl Reuben met the
glance.
"You seem to have all the luck, Bob ="
81 don't think it's so much luck as
pluck" averred young Benham with a
laugh
The mirth of Christmas was over. The
milder exhilaration of New Years Day
was also thing of the past. January
was contemplating abdication in favor
of February. The day was bitter and
brilliant. The glitter of the frozen snow
and the intense and cloudless blue of the
sky made ones eyes ache. 1t was Sa3ur-
day, and the main street of the little
country town was crowded with teams,
saddle horses and ponderous farm
wagons.
Just outside the postoffice-which was
also a general storc-Benham and Bassett
had met. They were typical young west
ern farmers, high-booted, SLOUGH hated,
roughly clad. But their attire belied
their prosperity. They were singularly
alike in appearance. Both were tall and
heavily built. Both were beardless, and
had the same regular, if rather heavy feat
ures. And both spoke in the same deep,
quiet voice But while Benham's whole
manner and expression indicated jaunty
self-coEfdence, Bassett's were gentle to
the verge Of timidity.
'Lo0k here, Bob" said the latter sud-
denly, ''are you in earnest in that quar-
ter?"
"Why?"
comfy this: I had an idea you we're
engaged to Lille Dix, that pretty little
schoC lma1m back in Illinois,"
Yes" answered Bob, simply and
squareIy, Il am. -
Then why" demanded Reuben in
quick transportation, care you taking Syl-
via Merigold around?'
''For several reasons" avowed Ben
ham promptly. lin the first place she is
a nice little girl, in the second, the Meri-
colds are our nearest neighbors; in the
third, she has no one but me to take her
anywhere. Her folks don't want Der to
90 out with the Corey boys, and she
likes amusement. So | take her. But
I'm not in love with her and she's not in
love with me-"
Reuben looked relieved, but not con-
WINGED
Does she know about Lillie?"
me, but I'd just as soon she did. I'm
to be married in spring"
THAT so2" cried Reuben, with a de-
lighted smile.
They shook hands heartily.
"Se YOU needn't trouble yourself to be
Jealous of me-" declared Bob, nOdding
pleasantly. why in the world don't
you ask her to go to meeting, and to the
literary with you? I shan't stand in your
way"
son, she wouldn't"
Glow do you know"
':She never has word to say to me.
Gas far as I've seen, you never have a
word to say to her! You are dumb as an
oyster when you meet her. And l notice
you hardly ever ask her to dance. What
you need, RUDE, is nerve!'
Reuben laughed, thrusting his hands
deep down in his overcoat pockets.
perhaps So"
Tell y on what" said Bob, suddenly
struck with an inspiration, ''you go to
the literary tonight and take Sylvia"
''I'' With a gasp.
lyon. We can fix it in this way: I'll
call and tell her that [ have to go to
Grassland tonight, and that you will
take her in my stead. How,s that!"
Reuben had grown radiant.
'.G7and-for me. But She" STAN
merine sadly, ''she wouldn't like it.
TRY, suggested Benham, dryly.
Some further conversation they had
On the subject. Then they separated.