Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1901-04-06

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The girl was looking out Of the win
dow, humming softly, with fine air
of indifference. The man was leaning
his back against the mantelpiece,
gloomily observing the points of his
boots.
They were good boots, but hardly
worth the amount of serious obserVa-
ton he was giving them. To any per-
son of moderate understanding the sit
uation was obvious. To the two actors
in it it was becoming embarrassing.
The man moved first.
'You are sure your mind is made up,
Georgiew
The girl stopped humn1ing abruptly
and turned round.
"What is the use Of beginning
again?' she said, with an impatient
movement. "You know one cannot
serve two masters. am going to give
my life to my art"
"But, George, you know what it
means to me. mean you know /
could never change or forget"
"Why notT' she returned quickly.
''That is just what wanted to speak
to you about. You see''-and her proud
head was raised trife higher-"you
only want wife who can see that you
get a good dinner every day and sew
the buttons on your shirts. You have
known us all for years. Why do you
expect me, the impractical one of the
family, to snatch at the offer Of this
post? You would have shown more
sense in asking Madge or Lillian, and
y dare say one of them might have had
you"
For moment there was dangerous
CLEAN in his eyes, but it changed to a
tender look of amusement as the girl
flung herself viciously into chair
with the air Of a sulky child.
81 suppose it would have been more
sensible" he agreed, "only don't love
either Madge or Lillian. If you will on
ly have me" he continued, twinkle in
his eye and abject humility in his
voice, II will do my best to overcome
my disgraceful appetite and dine off
sentimental song if you deem it best.
/ will also look out for some patent
shirt fasteners which will save you the
trouble of sewing on buttons"
George looked up quickly.
"You needn't try to be funny, Rexw
she said severely. "You know quite
well l should have to become domes-
ticated woman if / married, and
won't. am going to devote my life to
music, and if were to sacrifice that
and marry you | should stop loving
you in fortnight and hate you in a
month. There; that's all"'
Rex looked up quickly.
"You would stop loving me in fort
night?" he asked. ''Then may infer
you have begun already?"
''You may infer nothing, sir" she re-
torted sharply, but her face was Grim
son.
"By Joye, that's the nearest I've ever
gotv thought Rex. Il believe she does
half like me, but must make her cave
in before she'll respect me-"
There was moments pause, then b.,
Ell gently:
Il beg your pardon, George be. 4
lteve you may be right, after all,
the sh it is hard to think of giving you
up" And he sighed softly, but resign
edly. IF you are not too angry with
me. will you tell me which you think it
would be best for me to try to like.
Lillian or Madge?"
II am SO glad, Rex, you are sensible
at last! Really. have thought it out
and, though Lillian is awful
" sweet and-and everything, / think
Madge is the one best suited to you.
You see; she cooks splendidly and
knows exactly how everything ought
to be done in house and would be
perfectly satisfied If you kissed her
once a month or so and occasionally |
said the. dinner was excellent. She
really would, she is so easily pleased.
While + Well, you know what / |
am"
Yes, know what You are" he re-
Piled quietly. you are very young"
She misunderstood him, as he had
Intended she should, and assented
eagerly.
Yes, am young only 19-and you
ire nearly 80. Madge is nearest you
n age, and | believe you could make
Ter love you IL you tried"
"Shall try? Do you want me tor
Yes, of course want YOU to. 1t fs
or your own sake. She would make
'ou a better wife than because /
lon't want even to be loved 1 am
atisfied with my life as it isl
'All right, George. In month l
hall have made up my mind, and
will tell you. Goodby.''
"Goodby,' she murmured, vaguely
fraid Of what she had done. She
ried to reason out the cause of her de-
ression, but it seemed to have no
ause, and with a tagging step she
1ade her way to the sunny den which