The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-23
HER IDEAL.
fCopyright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Co
BY F. H. LANCASTER.

e SSSaSe iS a < l "Now that is a compliment. Do ynt J know 1t is the first you have paid m'
 would your ideal man pay compli
 sYes. I think SO. A few. when h happened to think about it. What else would he do9' Well, really, I don't know. YOU st' | my ideal would be a man that l conl" not not possibly hope to understand" ''An cniematical sort of a fellow. "NJ, but broader than l am. so that ] couldn't trot around and put my hhse' | on all the points of his compass" And you expect to marry your deaI : Dent you think you ought to tell mr a little m re about him so that | S Sii' l my time has come to take back seat! The girl raised her eyebrows Ut 'hiS but said nothing. When a man mas she was in pinafores it is :, rather an an moving to hear him speaking cheerfully of taking back seat. ,,. r
 Go on." he insisted; this conun, drum of yours is to be handsome an"
 He isn't at all gallant" she inter posed rather warmly. o.
 "IsE't' oh' then you have met
 The girl seemed absorbed in the slow flowing river and made no response, but when he turned to look at her he saw that the tips of her ears were glowing
 ''Se. here," he said, quietly, If you have, I want you to tell me. When you rejected me last winter passed it over because I thought vou were too young to know good thing when you saw it.
 Not at all conceited."
 "Conceited enough to believe that Ily love is deserving of car e1ni csnslaera nei,er been carelessly bestowed. l may nJt De an ideal man. but my life has been cIean and honest and I naTe never nesleeled wife you would be protected and petteo' but I don't want you to marry me un- less you love me-.
 "I should say not. . "But I want you to learn to do that. Go to work earnestly and learn to love me every bit as much as love you: It will not be an easy task. but want you to put aside all Uni. this ideal nonsense
 Anything else?'
 Yes; when you have done that, l ex- pect you to marry me and live for the rest of your life happy. conteneed "o-
 And suppose I fail to fulfill :our ex- pectations?"
 He sat so still for moment that her resentment began to die away. When she spoke again her tone was eentler.
 Suppose I have already fallen n love with my Ideal, how could l put all that nonsense aside!
 Have you?" he questioned gently. | She nodded slowly.
 q hope. you win be very happy he said presently. then after waiting mo, ment for her to speak, arose ana walked away to the bank.
 The girl watched him wistfully as he stood with his hands in his pockets star ing down at the dim, deep water. Her lips parted once or twice. but closed
 G'Weil." he said, turning around with a smile, i've must not keep the ideal waiting. I had better take you home | Some day" he continued. extending hand for her assistance, some day you will introduce him to me. will you
 The girl put her hand into his and
 T think" she said carefully. that yoT know Tg.. him."
 T think so. You are such a grave man I could scarcely believe that you | would neglect the excellent advice that Cicero gives. Wasn't 1t Cicero who en- larged so upon the desirability of know The man paused and faced her sternly; Do you know what you are saying?" he demanded huskily.
 The flush leaped from the tips Of her her ears to spread over face and neck. She turned back and made an uncertain step toward the river only to find him in front of her. l Dlu you HledH II
 "I wanted to have another look at the river" she explained with engaging | frankness.
 Perhaps you did. But you are going | to tell me something first" l No: I'm not. Not a thing. I have | told you too much already"
 Very well, we will have a look at
 Please" she pleaded. drawing back | against his detaining arm.
 He paused with his eyes close to hers; Cant you understand how badly 1 | need it-even if l am not at all gallant?' l Later on they stopped and stared down at the river. but neither of them saw It.. HAD PASSED" by D. H. Talmadge.