The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-07-19


naughty one, almost Historically.
Then l am to understand that our
short engagement Is severedY said,
with a lightness which by no means
felt as | turned TO go.
AT once" said my Olive tragically,
from this minute. | never want TO
see you or speak to you again"
In her excitement she stopped To pick
up the luckless bonnet. / was bent on
the same act, and our fingers and eyes
met simultaneously. Olive gasped,
and both of us turned away In con-
fusion. There was an embarrassed
pause. and then the naughty ones ST.
lence made me bold.
"Olive," began nervously.
Don't" said Olive blushing, and
averting her face.
| caught one of her hands, and i'm
p.isoned il softly. "Olive, it's no use
fighting against 1t. 1t is case OF mag
netic attraction. love you, but don't
know why. 1t is not because you are
pretty, although you are-very-but
there are thousands OF pretty women
in the world. 1t Is not because you are
lovable and sweet, since there are
other girls as charming in this respect.
1t is something we don't understand
something which is as Irresistible as it
is powerful. That is why, dear l do
not think il is strange that you have
given your heart To me; for you do love
me, do you not, Olive, in spite of ALP
My fiancee looked up with the tears
standing in her pretty eyes.
ooh. yes, Ted; indeed, indeed do"
she murmured.
THAT is the proper sort of love-" l
said, kissing her triumphantly. at is
wonderful holy. inspiring"
IF it is not absurd" broke in Olive
reproachfully.
| laughed heartily. 81 only had a
little revenge for the naughty remarks
you made about my personal appear
ance," | confessed. although, do YOU
think l cared. Not bit. 1t only
made my triumph the more complete;
for, in spite Of all-my ugliness. stout
ness, baldheadedness, everything-you
can not help loving me. It's delicious"
My fiancee picked up her roses and
smOothed them out poutingly Still
there are limits even TO love-" she
said, land / think | quite disliked you
when you said looked 80 and that 1
was marrying you because | couldn't
get any one else. Why, | could have
married a Dozen" she put in defiantly.
"Of course you could, little Mormon"
| laughed. But you knew | was only
teasing. and even had it been true
should have adored you just the same"
But don't look 80, do l, TedY' she
persisted.
Not any more than | look ugly and
old to you. dearest" said, determined
not TO give way. Come, Olive. / am
only %. Is my face so very plain to
your
Its the loveliest old face in the
world" declared Olive" and / wouldn't
have another hair on that stupid old
head for all the wealth in the Indies.
There
And with this | was more than con-
tent. | was radiantly triumphant.
wanted to go up to every goOd-looking
fellow | met in the street and console
him for his misfortune.
| took. too, a cheerful delight in look
ing at my singular countenance in the
glass and comparing my personal de-
fectS with the attractions Of the many
suitors who had vainly appealed for
my Olives hand.
But this conceit was soon knocked
out OF me by my wife. After our mar
riage she used to sit opposite me at
table and regard me affectionately, but
ofttimeS with that intent scrutiny
knew SO well
Once l asked her what was the prob
lem.
"Oh, the old one" she said laugh
ingly. Dear Ted, do make "a grimace
now and again, just 20 let me see how
much uglier you might have BEEN
The Rambler.