The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1903-01-09
A Desperate
y Re m e dy
[Original.]

From my bedroom came a clear, me
lodious whistle. The air was, ooh, lis.
ten to the hooking bird" and after the
chorus came an excellent imitation of
the birds notes. When it was finished
u sweet feminine voice said:
"Why don't you do your part. Billyy'
My name is not Billy, and | never
did any part in the song of The Mock.
ing Bird"
What occupied M mind was who
had taken possession of my bedroom
to give such a concert l got up from
my chair and proceeded to find out.
The door between the two rooms open
ed, and there stood Il very pretty girl.
We stood looking at one another for
a moment equally astonished. Then
she executed the feminine device, tax.
ell doubtless from the bird which bur.
les it's head in the sand to avoid being
seen, Of clapping her hands to her
acc.
"rhere is evidently some mistake"
remarked,
An awful miStake.'
How did You get into nv bedroom?'
Il thought it was Billy's."
"Who is BiIlyl'
"My brother, Billy Fanning."
why. he's my chum. His rooms are
mex to mine"
lhcr" was Il knock at my sitting
room door. The girl shrank back in
to my bedroom, and | closed the door.
Turning. thrr" was Il read looking in
10 the room my mother.
"DrAr boy
Dear mothpr.'
Oh. if there were only a door open.
ing from my bedroom into the hall.
But there was no such door. The girl
could not leave ny room except by the
one we were in.
"You are tired, mother, at climbing
the stairs. Sit in this chair and rest"
| put her in the chair and listened to
and asked the usual questions after a
separation.
Il haven't any rc"reshment to offer
you, mother, dear. but if you'll just step
next DOR to the rooms Of my friend
Billy Tanning | dare say | can find
something"
II don't want anything. | have only
an hour to spend with you and must
get right to work at our linen"
There's not a break in it. | looked
over everything carefully last night"
and I'll look over everything care
fully this morning"
She arose and was going to my bed
room. Indeed she had her hand on the
doorknob when | stopped her.
Mother" | said. with a trembling
voice.
"Oh, my boy, what's the matter?'
Mother, before you 90 in there |
have something of importance to COM
municate."
DO tell me, quick! Has anything
happened|'
Mother, Im engaged"
Engaged and without consulting
your poor mother. oh, Roger, how
could your"
And, mother, my fiancee is in that
room now attending to my linen"
Your tiancee in there! Then III
never speak to her!"
But, mother, it's worse yet. | haven't
told you all. I'm married. It's my wife
who is in there"
Poor mother sank into my arms and
groaned.
Mother, when you see her you'll be
delighted She's lovely, She's Billy
F%anning's sister"
Il don't care who she is. IN have
nothing to do with her"
Now, | had purposely talked suffi-
GENTLY loud for the girl in the next
room to hear. She did hear and lent
herself to my desperate makeshift.
She opened the door and stepped bold
ly out.
Mother, this is Miss mean my
she will love you"
The girl walked up to mother, kissed
her and asked in a voice into which
she contrived 10 throw a tremolo, Can
you forgive us?'
you are a very sweet looking girl"
said my mother, somewhat appeased.
Yes, mother, and when you've
known her as long as | have you'll ad-
NIT she's as lovely as she looks"
II Shl lIGu away SuuuellIy.
Mother supposed it was to hide her
bushes at my encomium. | caught a
glimpse of her face in a mirror and
saw that it was to hide laughter.
well, Roger, you've been a very
bad boy to do this clandestinely, but l
dare say when l hear the explanation
I'll understand it all and not blame
you"
Eyes, mother" Then I said to my
supposed wife, who was making for
the sitting room door, Must you go so
soon. dear"
Eyes, but I've not touched your linen.
Your mother won't have to give that
up for some time yet"
When | got mother off, l went lex
door, where l found Miss Tanning.
This is a serious matter" l said to
her, "and ! see but one way out of it.
l offer you my heart and hand and ask
you to consider my proposition as long