The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1901-08-15

at is only a sentence. and I wish
but one word in reply-Mind, dear,
only one word. You shall not evade
the question as you have all my others.
will you be my wife?" The words
were spoken under his breath, but like
a man.
eyes, or nor he demanded. tsIf there
are conditions / do not care to hear
them. The woman who will be my
wife must take me unequivocally,
without clauses"
She drew her hand from his con-
f~usedly, like a frightened school girl,
he thought, began counting hurriedly
on her fingers.
I'm waiting, dear little JAP" he re-
minded-"Yes or nor
She looked at him ~appealingly and
murmured, Next Saturday week"
Tonight and now! I must have my
answer. Why, child, / cannot rest. /
am beside myself. / must know. Do
you not love me a little?"
mot a %little,'' she answered, WITH
n of her odd infections.
Then it is 'yes'?"
IN" She hesitated. For the life
of her, no appropriate word beginning
with IN" could she think of. His
| constant suggestion of one wore had
quite upset her, and before the right
one had presented itself, he gave her
a look of r%eproach, half Of anger, and
strobe down the hall. With a little
cry Miss Sheldon started after him,
but he would not look back.
That night a very d~isconsolate, for
eign-looking little figure rocked itself
back and forth in a huddled heap in
the middle of a diminutive bed in a
certain hall bedroom.
Idiot" The girl was calling herself
names. Fool that l was to carry it
SO far, and now he'll never come back.
l meant to say yes all the time, only
l wanted to see if I could say it be-
ginning with an N He is rich, too,
awfully rich. Oh, idiot, idiot"
Slowly and tearfully she climbed
down from her exalted position and
betook herself to fast writing. Pages
were scrubbed owe at a tremendous
rate and in large black letters. On each
the word Gerald stood out with glar-
ing frequency, following round, warm
adjectives. The entire system was
laid bare before him."
EARLY in the morning I will post
it," she promised herself, adding as an
afterthought, "anl he is worth most
a million!'"
Miss Sheldon slept late the next
morning and was still in her lounging
I robe when her most intimate friend, q
soprano in the Nettle-Graves Opera
Company, rushed in upon her.
Shelly, dear, l was on my way tt
rehearsal and just could not resist
running in to tell you the goot
news"
"Yes?" inquired the Jap sleepily,
I'm engaged" The rosy faced on
held forth a glittering finger, continu
ing: ITO the very man you've beer
flirting with so cruelty, too. l didn'
tell you before, but he's been so swee
about calling for me after the pla.
lately, and I just knew it would come.
10 WHO'LL ulu you soy N1lSo ohCI
don was sitting up very straight.
why Gerald Lahey, of course"
The rosy face grew roster, as Mis-
Sheldon's took on a somewhat ashe.
. hue.
Well, 1 must be running along,
chirped the warbler. Thought you
be dying to know, and as you are m
very dearest friend, I've told you tn
first one. Oh! and Shelly, he say
you're the cleverest girl-except me, {
course-that he aver knew. Says yo
can converse alphabetically. Fame
now. Do you know, you had hi
completely leased with curiosity abot
you, until you struck the Gs. But
i, simply must be off. Congratulations
), Thanks awfully dear. Au revoir."