Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-03-19

Franklin Ford there, knew yo'
would; your caps In an awful state
Dick; so is your gown; only that MT
Franklin Ford. oh, how stupid yol
are. Dick! You know perfectly wei
what she said"
flung my cap upon the bench, thrus
my hands into my pocket. rested m!
chin on my necktie and stared moouii,
at my toes. There was long pause
Presently I felt the lightest toucn OF
my arm. ] took no notice. The touci
grew more insistent.
Poor boyw said Daisy. "Dick, toio
her thought Mr. Ford horrid.'
did your" cried. my hands hyine
from my pockets to-elsewhere.
Eyes and she said should know pet
ter as got older. don't see what she
means. or course, l couldn't tell mel
about you or she'd have seen that my
getting older couldn't make any diner
ence. Oh, Dick, isn't 1t wonderful!
YES" said I. soberly. for look mao
passed in the blue eyes that seemed 70
me very wonderful indeed.
Presently Daisy said in low voice:
II wish papa wouldn't insist on going
abroad all the Long. He says he can
work better there"
what does he want to work forg'
cried I.
81 don't know" said she. "Dick. why
| cont you come abroad?"
1t was bitter moment.
''I've got no money" said /. with
defiant bluntness.
Her breath caught halfway through
little laugh, and she said:
"Oh. you poor, dear boy! Never mind,
Dick. It's only till October"
only" said I. in tones a Hamlet
might be proud of.
"Will 1t seem very long," she asked.
dropping her lashes.
"As IL you didn't know
Eyes. but Dick. may like to be told
all the same. you knows?
So l told her. and aeons on aeons
of weary waiting rose before us, at the
bidding of my words.
'And in all that time," said she, "are
you sure you won't forget? oh, well.
then / believe you won't. Think, Dick,
what 1t will be when you come back!
You must look out of your window all
the first day-and perhaps may come
by"
And look up?"
Perhaps"
Perhaps you'll have forgotten"
ooh. Dick, that is horrid of you! /
never forget my friends"
Friends" / echoed. Indignantly
well. you know what l mean." said
she, indulgently.
AS she spoke the great clock in the
tower stru,k IL. She sprung to her
feet.
Don't CO." urged. Daisy. it's the
last time"
"Oh, but must; so must YOU"
We'll, then. before you go. promise,"
urged.
But l have promised, Dick"
You'll think of no one else the whole
timer" ~
"No-of no one else"
ASON VI thob itiiOWt
dick! l told you hated him. Aren't
you going to promise. too?"
The garden seemed peaceful and quiet.
We sat down on the bench again sor
1t was meant to be a mo-
ment. But such moments are endowed
from heaven with blessed elasticity.
think l promised for full quarter OF
an hour.
Then. at cry from Daisy, looked
up. A tall. stout man In gold specta-
cles stood looking down at us, curl
Gus, only half unkind smile on his face.
1t was the provost. l felt crimson all
over and sat speechless.
Pray, what's the meaning Of this,
Mr.. Vansittart?" he asked, the mixed
smile still on his lips.
/ looked at him in fright for an in
slant. Then a pride arose in me.
cleared my throat and began:
"Sir. am promising"
The demon Of irony raked up in the
mind the memory of his last
words to me. oh, that had found an ,
'ther exordium for my heroic speech.
Upon my word" said he, thrusting
me hand into his cross-cut trouser {
,ocket and pulling at his whiskers with
he other. you are promising, for ;
our age. very promising, Mr.. vansit-
art"
The bubble was broken. Daisy hung
Ter head. was very red and hot again.
Very promisingw chuckled the pro-
'ost, jingling the money in his pocket.
Very promising, indeedw
could have struck him for his mock
ng iteration.
Daisy, go indoors said he, "and
DR.. Vansittart, may / lend you my key
the garden gate? Pray be so good as
o return 1t to the porter"
He handed it to me with polite bow.
Il meant 1t, SIR stammered
You're young fool" said he. And
o held out his hand. Yes. a young
DOL" he said. again. as he shook hands