Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-03-24
A Modern John Alden.

"a TUB" Van Alan's rotund visage
~ doomed dimly through a cloud of
tobacco smoke, for all the world
like the sun lost in fog. This was
not an unusual phenomenon. certainly,
but the fact that my generally ire
pressible friend had been in my room
ten minutes and had neither smiled
nor attempted any of the atrocious
puns for which he was justly infa-
nous. was a hitherto unknown state
of affairs.
whats the matter with you, old
man?" l queried. The cloud of smoke
became denser, threatening total
eclipse. Nothing" came forth pres
emily from the blueness; Eat least moth
ing you would care to hear about"
II like that" 1 replied. a little
touched at his manner. 'Since when
have 1 been in the habit of passing
by on the other side like whats-his
name In the parable. and you in trou-
ble?"
Cant say you ever did" said Stub,
removing his pipe, ''but 1t isn't-er-
ordinary trouble; suppose l may as
well tell you. though-I'm in love-"
"In love?" l echoed, beginning to
laugh. us that all? imagined from
your looks that you We're about TO be
hanged. Was there ever a time when
you were not in love-with some one?
Who is it this time?'
'You needn't laugh" said Mr. Van
Alan, Indignantly. This isn't a joke;
I'm Ia dead earnest"
'Who is it?" 1 demanded, seriously.
''Helen Lorrington," said Stub, dart
ing a queer glance at me. If he had
suddenly Eurled chair at my head
IT would have dumfounded me less. l
became interested all at once in look
ing out of the window. 1 wasn't anx-
ious for Stubb to see my face.
1t was no joke. as he had said-to
me at all events. | had been in love
with Miss Lorrington for two years.
madly. hopelessly; fluttering about her
beautiful. stately presence. as the pro-
verbal moth about the candle flame,
and with about the same result. 1
have never been accused. even by my
enemies. of lacking nerve; but some
how, under the spell of Miss Lorring-
toms gray eyes. could never screw up
my courage to the sticking point and
nut my fate TO the touch. l had fan
cied at times that Helen was not alto
gether indifferent. There had been
a memorable day on the links that she
however. at other times was miSer-
ably certain that had no chance.
"Of course"-Stub was speaking-''I
know she's much TOO good for me;
she's better. nobler than"
Have you said anything to her?"
managed 10 say. l knew how perfect
the lady of my heart was, without
Samuel Payton Van Alan telling me.
No" he said, ruefully. IL can't
Whenever I'm with her l feel like an
overgrown boy and nearly make an
idiot of myself: she has way of look
irg into fellows SOUL with those big
eyes of hers. that makes him think
OF his sins l made no comment; i
understood perfectly.
Look here. Ken" said Stub. as If
suddenly struck with bright idea.
You and Hel- Miss Lorrington-are
great friends. aren't you? remember
hearing her say once that Kenneth
Sears was one Of the incest men she
knew. Why can't yOu-er-er-sort OF
say a word for me? Tell her how Il
is with me. aud that i am not really
such bloekhead as l appear in so
ciety. Tell her II love her-just as
if ii was yourself "a know; maybe
If she thought l cared for her she
might"
DO you take me for matrimonial
agenty' l asked. sternly. do your
own proposing. Do you suppose q girl
Ike Helen Lorrington would think
twice OF ma4 who was lacking in
corrage:"
II don't know" said stub: that's
what you arr going to find out"
~rm not. sail l.
Don't be c.lump," remarked my
friend. in eOntesnptuous tones. Prom
Use you'n speak 10 her tonight If you
get chance. at Mrs. Applebee's
dance"
Stub and / had been friends since
college. would do more for him than
for any man alive, and. Well, I ar
rived at Mrs. Aprlebee's that uighi