The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-01-16

LUZ. IL WIS linz tOtlculuS NY dSCiuSh1
the hidden spring of some secret door,
which opened into new atmosphere,
a new fairy-land. We were more like
old friends than chance acQuaintanceS.
and it seemed as if neither could tell
the other too much. Points Of agree
ment were noted eagerly. We had
read the same books. visited the same
places, and wherever we turned there
was new ground for sympathy.
She'had only been in London a week.
and had not visited any place OF
amusement I wondered if l could
find a chance here of pushing my ad-
vantage, and approached the subject
with delicacy and caution.
But at this point it seemed that the
mutual confidence stopped, for she de-
clined to understand my tactics. and
remarked that her time was too fully
occupied to go about much.
Only too soon we reached the place
where ! had decided to aligAt. We
shook hands warmly, and thanked
each other rather vaguely and ncrv-'
! ously, and then l found myself once
more on Il nasty, wet London pave
nlent.
had a glimpse of fairyland but it
was only a glimpse. l Went back again
in the practical, uncomfortable world.
with living to be earned and Il will
to make.
The gates of fairyland were closed.
for, like donkey, l had omitted to
find out the fairy's name and where
! she lived.
1t seemed impossible to bring ones
mind back to the legal subtletics of
will-making; but it had to be done,
and l trudged hevily on my way to our
| clients house. finding, to my infinite
disgust, that l had got out of the onl-
nibus much sooner than l need to have
done.
Imagine my surprise when. on reach
| ing the house, and being shown into
the dining room, l found there the he
roine. Of the lost shoe.
That settled it.
| ] felt that heaven had decided that
was to marry that young lady, and
| formed the pious intention then and
| there of giving heaven every possible
| assistance, and made such Il delightful
hash of her aunt's will that it required
some six or seven visits to put matters
| straight.
Curiously enough, though, from the
moment we met in the house, her
friendship ceased. Every time l came
she was more cold and distant, and l
was almost in despair. The cOnversa-
ton, which had flowed so merrily in
an uncomfortable omnibus, seemed inn
possible over the dining room fire. and
she refused to go beyond the most
commonplace civilities.
She calmly ignored the drive which
had found so delightful, and treated
me with ordinary politeness. due to
f! the representative of her aunt's solicit
Ors.
The position grew desperate, be-
! cause l couldn't continue to make
t; plumbers over the old lady's will forev-
er. Already the firm had reprimanded
me for stupidity, though, to be sure,
the old lady herself bore with me with
wonderful patience and good temper.
The crisis came.
1t was my last visit about the will,
which was now ready-absolutely cor
rect and the dear old lady had APP
proved of every word of it.
1t only required to be executed. She
| said she would take her niece and me
much better and able to get up, we
assembled, solcmnly. in the library.
But she was funny old character,
and secuted the idea of solemnity,
ringing the bell for the servant to
bring up some champagne, so that we
might drink success to her will"
I'm thankful to say that. though l
was. by this time, helplessly in love
with the niece, l had sufficient pres
ence of mind to say: Success to the
will, and may it never have to be
proved!' which pleased her immense
ly. and before l left l was invited to
dinner the following Sunday.
From that moment things went pref
ty smoothly, though it was only last
evening that. in talking over our court
ing days in the far-away past, my wife
| explained the meaning Of her eXtraor-
binary GOODNESS to me.
1t seems that when. after the drive
in what she pleased to call the fairy
omnibus l walked into her aunts
dining room. she quite recognized that
must be her destiny, and so, with
feminine perversity. she felt called
upon to struggle against fate as much
as possible.
But you ought to be very thankful
to me for one thing" she added; lit
was who-but never mind.o
Nonsense" said. go on; we are
too old-fashioned to be romantic any
longer"
WELL" she said, ut was I who sug-
gested that you should be invited to
dinner"
Which Just shows what contradict
ory creatures women are-HOuseholl
Words.