Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-06-01
tuany copieu one.


picnic, but l set to work and soon got it
changed so that 1t would do very well.
Slattery seems never to have asked any
one to ride tandem. But when l had
written it, it seemed so dreadfully stiff
that had to put little beginning and
end Of my own, which seemed to bright
en- it up good deal"
II thought there was something funny
about the beginning and end"
"Did you? Fancy your noticing the
difference in style. How quick you are!
l am very slow at things like that. l
ought to have been q woodman or game
keeper or something. l was made on
those lines, but have found something
now"
"What Is that, then?"
Branching. have chum in Texas,
and he says it is rare life. 1 am to buy
share in his business. 1t is all in the
open air-shooting and riding and sport.
Would it-would it inconvenience you
much, Ida, to come out there with me?"
Ida nearly fell off her perch in her
amazement. The only words of which
she could think were, "My goodness me-"
so she said them.
''If it would not upset your plans or
change your arrangements in any way"
| He had slowed down and let go Of the
steering handle, so that the great ma
chine crawled aimlessly about from one
side of the road to the other. 81 know
very well that 1 am not clever or any
thing of that sort, but still would do
all can to make you very happy. Don't
! l. 10,
to like me little bitP"
Ida gave a cry of fright. 81 won't
like you if you run me against a brick
WALL" said she as the machine rasped up
against the curb DO attend to the
steering"
Eyes, l will. But tell me, Ida, wheth-
er you will come with me-"
"Oh, don't know. It's too absurd!
How can we talk about such things
when cannot see you? You speak to
the nape Of my neck, and then have to
twist my head round to answer"
81 know. That was why l put You
in front upon my letter. thought that
it would make it easier. But if you
would prefer it will stop the machine,
and then you can sit round and talk
about it."
'Good graciousl" cried Ida Fancy
our sitting face to face on motionless
tricycle. in the middle of the road and all
the people looking out of their windows
at u.s."
at would look rather funny, wouldn't
1t? Well, then suppose that we both get
off and push the tandem alongin front of
u.s."
"Oh, no; this is better than that"
"Or could carry the thing"
Ida burst out laughing. "That would
be more absurd STILL"
"Then we will go quietly, and l will
look out for the steering. 1 won't talk
about it at all if you would rather not.
But really do love you very much, and
you would make me happy if you came
to Texas with me- and l think that per
haps after time could make you happy
too"
"But your aunt"
"Oh, she would like it very much.
can understand that your father might
not like to lose you. Pm sure | wouldn't
either if were he. But, after all, Amer
lea is not very far off nowadays and il
ID lOb sO N1ly NAlb' NC WObiL btNiAN
a grand piano, and-and-a copy o1
} Browning. And Denver and his wife
would come over to see us. We should
be quite a family party. 1t would be
jolly"
Ida sat listening to the stumbling
words and awkward phrases which were
whispered from the back of her, but
there was something in Charles West
macott's clumsiness of speech which was
more moving than the words of the most
eloquent Of pleaders. He paused, he
stammered, he caught his breath be-
tween the words, and he blurted out in
little blunt phrases all the hopes of his
heart. If love had not come to her yet,
there was at least pity and sympathy,
which are nearly akin to it. Wonder
there was also that one so weak and frail
as she should shake this strong man so,
should have the whole course of his life
waiting for her decision. Her left hand
was on the cushion at her side. He
leaned forward and took it gently in his
Iwn. She did not try to draw it back
from him.
MAY have it," said he, "for life?"
"Oh, do attend to your steering" said
she, smiling around at him, land don't
say any more about this today. Please
don'tr
"When shall l know, then?"
"Oh, tonight, tomorrow don't know.
/ must ask Clara. Talk about something
else"
And they did talk about something
else, but her left hand was still inclosed
In his, and he knew, without asking again
that all was well.
CONTINUED ON THURSDAY