The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-21
EXPERIMENT NO. I.

well. little girl, what's the trouble?
Has someone stepped on a spider or
said .d-n'?"
Nov. you're laughing at me. Dick,
and if you laugh l shant tell you any
thing. Besides. hilarity is out of place.
This is a grave matter
Then it isn't about yourself?'
Certainly it is
about yourself and grave? Really, I
did not think such thing possible. oh,
you need not pull those faces. With
all the frankness of a privileged friend,
allow me to say that you are quite
plain enough as it. is. Now, sit down
and tell me all the grave matter.
Nan heSitated moment, then, grow
ing as red as poppy, flung herself
into chair and stammered
| Dick, / want to-to-fall in lOvei"
"Phewi" said Dick. Then, throwing
back his head, he laughed uproariously.
And the loud laugh that spoke the
vacant mind" quoted Nan, reproach-
fully.
It's awfully rude. Nan, 1 know, but
/ couldn't help it. There, just see how
solemn 1 am now. Not twinkle any
| where, is there? But I'm afraid this
grave matter will be the death of me.
What on earth ever put that into your
| head?"
1T is funny, isn't it?" said Nan,
1
good stories, and how can l write about
| love when 1 don't know anything about
| it? 1t is all very we'll to say, Darling.
| he cried. sinking upon his knees and
pressing her lily fingers passionately to
his quivering lips but how do l know
what she thinks about it? Instead of
saying, Rise, my beloved and melt
| ing like a snowwreath into his embrace.
| she might murmur, oh, don't be so
| spoony. You're rubbing all the wax off
your moustache.' Now, these are a few
of the things / want to find out for
myself, and the only way to do it" she
went on, conclusively, lis to fall in
love-
You fall in love! Oh, oh, oh. Nan,
you couldn't"
II could try
"How would you begin?"
81 shouldn't begin at ALL" answered
Nan, with dignity. 1t isn't girls
place. He must make nae fall in love
with him. and my part will be to an
alyZe the quivers that go through me-"
'Oh, you ridiculous girl, And VINO Is
the leading man in your farce?"
LAY, there's the rub, as the washer
woman remarked-no, it wasn't, it was
Shakespeare, or else it was SHAKESPEARE,
one of the two, who said that. But to
come back, you are the only boy l like,
so the difficulty will be to find"-
why not try me?"
Nan looked infinitely amused.
why, you are my very best friend.
1 couldn't even pretend with you"
play was someone else, then. Just
till You get used to the thing, you
know. You haven't an idea what
passionate lover l could be under the
circumstances said Dick. eagerly.
And you could call me Mr. and be
very formal
What a brain you have, Dick. cried
Nan, admiringly. why haven't you
made it manifest before?"
Then you CONSENT?
"Why, yes; it will be great fun"
"Well, remember, then, that for a
month you must forget your friend
Dick, and give every thought to Rich
ard Altree. your lover"
Richard Altree, my lover, repeated
Man. How queer that sounds. Well.
goodbye, friend Dick she said, hold
ing out her hand, but don't forget to
come back at the end of the month"
81 will come back with my shield
upon it. Now, suppose that I make my |
first call?"
Delightful Wait a minute. Do you |
prefer to find me pouring studiously |
over Browning. or sewing industriously, |
or may I sit in this rocking chair and |
just be comfortable"
You are the LATEST girl 1 ever saw.
suit yourself
Then l shall be comfortable. Indus
try isn't my forte. and you must love
me for myself alone. All ready One, |
two. three, begin!''
Fare thee well, and if forever,
adieu, adieu, my native land: back
slave, 1 will return, etc, etc" said
Dick, and left the room.
Soon there came a gentle rap-tap-
tap. 80.
Go around to the back doorl"
Nan.
A slight pause, then more decisive
knock.
Come in" she called, in a quieter
tone, and in walked Mr.. Altree, stove
pipe hat, cane and ALL carrying an
enormous bouquet of burdock leaves
and hollyhocks. tastefully arranged In
a holder of scalloped newspaper.
Nan rose bashfully. How do you do,
Mr. Altree?" she said. Fine weather
we're 'aving. Nav hain't to hum, but
if you'd like to set a spell. I-I-won't
you take cheer?"
Dick gave her a whitening glance,
but Mr.. Altree continued. politely
'I thank you. Knowing you to be
fond of flowers. / brought these unpre-
tentious blossoms. May l hope that
you will accept them?"
Mans embarrassment became pain
full.
"Oh, L don't like TO, Sne Ialtereu
Nav wouldn't let me. She says as
how it amt right to accept presents
from no gentleman you're not engaged
to-"
Mr.. Altree's desire to laugh was
clearly getting the better of him, but
he continued, bravely:
II think your mother would not OBJ
ect to your receiving flowers. / should
also be pleased if you would allow me
10 escort .xou to the dance this even
ng"
I'm awfully sorry. Mr.. Altree, but t
said I'd go with Dick"
"Oh, l say, Man," exclaimed the
young man, forgetting his role for the .
you mustn't refuse TO go
With me the first time l asS you
Nan drew herself up haughtily.
II must remind Mr.. Altree that it is
,uite unusual for strangers to address
ne as Nan"
Mr. Altree duly went down on his
Knees and bumped his head three times
IN the floor as a symbol of his abject
and then they both fairly
with laughter.
Nan. you're old enough to know bet
err" gasped Dick. !
Don't twit me with my age. sir.
You're two years older than /. Dick,
IN afraid the scheme isn't going to
,e successful"
It's all your fault. you little wretch.
You must behave yourself better. From
his time on, henceforth and forever,
10 nOnSenSei Do YOU hear madam"