The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-25
DOLLY AND AND GEORGE
By LESLIE w. Qu1Rn

20, you merely have hopes. Is that it?
Well, some OF the rest of us also have hopes"
! swear never minded how 1t soun6sA till
George began to curse Na2 isMH in his throat.
AFTER that was in MS mood to explain. So
II chanced that when he asked, with fine
sarcasm, if intended to marry Miss Dolly,
myself, told him fatty that did. A fool
does such things just to be contrary.
BEFORE | could comprehend the situation,
george mad me by the arm and was half
way across the room. moment later and
Miss Dolly, without pink rose-I knew she
never wore pink roses-was smiling up into
my sullen face, and George was sneering at
me loud enough for the girls to hear:
You see, Brown, Miss Dolly is not the
wearer OF the pink rose in spite Of your dec
larations.''
Dolly glanced up quickly, and I met her
eyes squarely. We had been playmates, Dolly
and l., not so many years before. l remen-
Der she told me once that she liked my brown
eyes; that they were like a horse's-dumb
mirrors that revealed my every feeling. Now,
as she looked at me, she must have seen
something in those same eyes, for she smiled
reassuringly.
II did wear tn. rose when 1 came" sh.
fbbed PRETTY TO George bit later gave
it to my siscer.
George swallowed once or twice in help
.ess stupidity. H. kne ye.y well she was
thoose to lie when 1t would di.eoucert hill,
made him furious. He grew SO red that
began to rack my brain for FIRST aids in
apoplexy." He turned to me. and I tried to
smile cheerful]y to relieve him. Well that
silly smile ended it all. He turned to her
and blurted out like great schooboy:
Dolly, he says he is going to marry you'll
sometimes I am glad was created bit
dull witted. George had fed, and Dolly had
blushed dozen times before comprehended
| it all. Then the heat of the room stffed me-
turned about despairingly, ran my fingers
through my hair and pulled at the collar that
was choking me.
At last found my voice. miss Mayton,"
begged, won't you walk outside with me,
where can explain the whole horrible blum
der?''
She looked up at me half shyly, half
angrily, for a full second had almost de-
SPARED OF gaining an audience, when she rose
and without tremor Of embarrassment took
my arm
''Dick" she said kindly, eve were chums
together few years ago. I know you are
able to explain this matter"
But couldn't. A dozen times began and
stopped. At last shame voiced and halt
ing, made a last start.
Dolly" I said, all unconscious Of how I
addressed her-"Do!ly, you-you-know It
was mistake
stopped short.
"a mistake about your saying that's" ques-
toned Dolly.
MOO" said slowly-"that is, you'll
well I doundered hopclessly.
You didn't mean it?" persisted Dolly. She
was shivering with the cool night air.
But I did, - said quickly. It ought to
have been a noble lie, but somehow there
was no sacrifice. J. should have given my life
just then to have said it truthfuly.
Dick she said after a long silence, lit
is very dark here under the trees
Yes; it is said gloomily. sr-
"And very cold" .- ..,..
Yes ..-.. d.
t. Il don't believe they could see us from
the house." she went on.
George is the only one who would care
| to-" l said, my heart burning with sullen
rage. -
IL don't believe even he is looking
Maybe not l remarked, turning toward
! her. -a ...s.....-- .~-
Dick" she pouted. ''you are foolish old
| dear. Can't you see
| The moonlight drifted through rift in the
| trees overhead, and a ray fell upon her
| face. 1t met two pursed lips and fingered
| there till a great fool in his moment Of
wisdom blotted it out =
| Then I plucked pink rose. and after she
| had twined it in her hair We went in to seek
i George-poor chap!