The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1903-03-06
HOW HE WON HER.
BY WILLIAM j. HAMPTON

| ~ pretty girl, and 80 graceful that the mon
LOON tea, not because they liked II for their
tastes were more virile. but because sbe
| poured 1t with such iReffable charm thar
they forgot their prejudiees in the faseina.
ton OF watching her.
a dozen or more had come and gone. not
one OF whom would not have freely been
her slave for life, for her financial charms
were not less than those mental. moral
and physical projections which in the olden
ilms were woman's chief attractiveness.
but they did not speak, fearing to lose 5,
| much.
How do you do, Miss Brent?v
lie voice was deep and mellow and mu-
seal. A faint tinge OF red rose to Madge
bfents face, "a ii some rising sun were
painting pink presage OF dawn upon a
happy sky. She looked up quickly. smiling
welcome to the newcomer.
One lump OF sugar" she relied in greet
ing, and little lemon. You see. Mr.. Nor
ton, | have not forgotten =
tie watched her quietly, intensely. as she
deity brewed the drink.
Delightful" he said, tasting IT. "And
what have You been doing since | saw YOU
asst he asked, with the spoon poised in
his fingers
Many Things, but mostly discuss ing new
question that has arisen among Us brain
workers OF society,"
1t must be very fatiguing," he laughed
But what Is 1t, pray?"
Something most profound to-wit: How
long does friendship continue before action
begins?'
But this isn't the silly season." pro-
tested Morton
Still society must do something" she
argued.
But why this
ooh, they have been doing it in London
until everybody who is ANYBODY has brain
flag. Could you expect less of US on this
side?"
Morton's face took on an almost tragical
seriousness.
Let me Sec" he said with judicial de-
liberation, :" row long does action
mo, no. she interrupted; that isn't
right. How long does friendship con-
tinue"
Thanks" he said, II see. But what does
it mean? What is action? Is it to make
ties, or break them? To go on or stop To
hold fast, or to let go? Tolove, to" Nor
ton broke off sharply. What does it mean,
What is the correct answer
"No one seems to know" she laughed.
That is why it is so delightfully."- discuss
able. We have debated it by the hour. |
have asked every man who has been here
this afternoon, and each one has taken the
question home with him to deliberate upon
and report to me at the Assembly to-mor-
row evening. They said trey needed time
You will be there. of course, and possibly
you would like few moments OF thought
before giving an opinion?'
Size had never been quite so irresistible
as she was when size looked at him, half
quizzical, half serious, to receive his answer.
The question. | believe" he said slow
y, as If feeling his way, Is, How long does
friendship continue before action begins?
You have il right this time she laughed.
"You are a promising pupil Mr.. Morton
He ignored the compliment, and putting
his empty cup on the table, he drew his
chair nearer to her.
Il shall not wait until tomorrow to
answer" he said. II think have it now"
Good, she cried, clapping her hands.
"What is it: :"
How long have we known each other,
Miss Brent" he asked, with such unex-
pected divergence from the question at
issue that she looked at him in astonish-
ment.
"Why, I met you first at brothers we'd
ding" she hesitated, land that was two
years ago this month";
"And how long have we been frends?"
From the beginning, | hope she
laughed nervously.
81 am sure he said, ''and we are safe,
therefore. in saying that friendship has con-
tinued two years.
Yes
Mortons meaning would have been APP
parent now even 10 an unwilling woman,
and the warm color dashed its pink mist
across Miss Brent's face
"Wnl you marry me- Madge. darling:"
he pleaded, his whole manner changing
with the loyelight in his eyes. and the heart
note in the music OF his voice. Il love you.
and"
.Madge. dear" exclaimed Mrs. Van, ap-
pearing suddenly, ''have the rum ready for
Gen. Ander>on's tea He has just arrived
with two of his staff-and, Madge, dear,
have plenty of it, she added in stage
whisper.
In her excitement she had not seen the
bushes, nor had she noted the manner OF
Norton A moment later the officers came
in. and Morton rose to GO Miss Brent put
her hand in his and looked into his eyes.
They spoke TO him the unutterable He
smiled to her. ana with a bow to the others
about the table he was gone.
At the A., emily dozen eager gusssers
crowded abe at Miss Brent.
Really she laughed, radiant, happy.
nroyoEino II don't think the ouest ion
can be al swered definitely. l know of one
man witt whom action began at the end OF
two years'
"AnG the woman" they asked, curious,
yet fearful.
"She 100" she smiled, and left them to
bear the burden OF tie problem among
themselves.-N. y. Times.
All the Difference.
The school board officer was inclined to