Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-05-11
A SPRAINED ANKLE.
n ABEL AND BOB are going to
II Eastsea for October, and they

"A n ABEL AND BOB are going to
NI Eastsea for October, and they
have asked me to 60 with
them. l must say I'm not In ecstasles
over the affair. The seaside in late
autumn Is a bit "off." All the nice fell
lows have gone back to town; there is
no band; the pier is deserted, and you
may walk the entire length Of the
parade and meet nobody Of more i'm
portance than q boatman.
Still, l may as well 60. There is
nothing on at home at present, and i
feel trifie seedy. Mabel, too, COM
plains of being dull. Was she ever any
thing else! OF course, It's a waste of
time taking any smart frocks, and as
tell Jane to pack my new cycling cos
tune DTS just lovely, l sigh, for l
know its sweetness will b. thrown
away at Eastsea.
can't say how thankful am, when,
having seen my "bike" safely in the
van, find myself In a first-class COM
partment and know that at last l am
rid OF mamma. Mamma Is trying at
the best Of times, but when I'm going
away BY myself she's really awful. All
the way to the station she was telling
me to be careful every other minute.
She seems to think I'm a perfect child.
The journey Is uneventful. Some
times one has delightful little adven-
lures when travelling. l remember
how-but never mind that now. man
age to beguile the time pretty well with
q novel and box of chocolates.
Bob Is waiting for me on the plat
forn. He says look very well.
rather like Bob. To be sure he is alb
surdly infatuated with Mabel, and pets
and spells her In way that Is quite pre-
posterous, but suppose he can't help
1t. When ask him how she is, he says
not very well, and he says must try
and cheer her up. nearly laugh In his
face. OF course, l know there Is
nothing the matter with her. The fact
Is, the more you humor Mabel the worse
she is.
AS l expected, l find her with that
martyred expression Of countenance
she adopts when she wants mollycod-
ding, and after dinner l march her Off
to bed. Bob, who makes himself a
pitiable slave, says he will sit with her
little If don't mind being left alone
say not bit, and tell him I'll Just
have short spin on my wheel before 1t
gets dark. At this Mabel nearly goes
into Mysteries. She calls me 'impru-
dent" However, l get away by prom
Ising to keep on the Parade. Really,
Mabel Is getting quite old womanish.
1t is a pleasant evening, and l have
the road nearly to myself. As expect
ed, the place is almost deserted-almost,
but not quite. Going down 1 pass a
gentleman on foot. like the look Of
him. He Is tall dare say my head
would rest comfortably on his shoulder
and as / steal a glance at his face as
skim by see that he is good looking.
Meeting him as l come back see that
he is very good looking. l see that he
thinks the same Of me. Our eyes meet.
He stares-in admiration-and, al
though don't look back q don't know
how / resist the feeling, 1 know he
stops and looks after me. After all, It
Is lucky brought my new costume.
shall probably see him again. or
course l say nothing to Mabel about
him. She would only begin about my
"imprudence."
His eyes haunt me all night.
do see him again-the following
evening This time do look back, and
he has stopped, and he is watching me.
I am vexed with myself for looking,
and know l shall blush the next time
we meet.
1t happens the ensuing morning. Com
Ing out Of the gate nearly run against
him. In my confusion drop my glove.
He stoops to pick It up. SO do 1. Our
hands touch. He Apologies. 30 do l..
Then he raises bis hat and goes on his
way.
As luck has It, Mabel is a witness Of
this encounter from the sitting room
window. Her face is just awful, and
when get In she begins"
"He stood and stared after you for
IuHy nFe minutes, bne says, nearly
choking with Indignation.
"Did he, reallyT I murmur, feigning
establishment. OF course ! knew he
had. How rude Of him"
"Rude! Mabel echoes. Carrie, you
mustn't go out again alone. / shall tell
Bob"
Well, this Is shocker! / don't want
Bob tackled on to me whenever go out,
and make light of the matter and tell
her not to be absurd. It's positively
appalling how staid and proper Mabel
has become since she was married! II
i thought that marriage would have the
same effect on me I'm very sure moth
ing on earth should induce me to 60 to
the altar.
Well. she tells Bob. and as che" hap
pens to be on the parade opposite. she
points him out.
isn't he a communicating fellowY'
she says.
That's the worst Of Mabel, she will
allow herself to be prejudiced.
Looks like q barber out for . holi-
day" Bob rejcins.
Mabel laughs Silly. Her infatua-
ton for ~ really amusing.
L. 4ek