The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-03-06
* TWO *
By W. Bert Foster
Copyright, 1902, by the


around and ogles me with that detest.
able baby stare Of his, and-and-
you're laughing, Jack! You are as
mean as you can be to laugh when
come to you for advice"
Esther stamped her foot. Jack Orms-
by leaned against the veranda railing
and watched her with amused eyes.
~ can't help smiling. Esther, but
can appreciate the irritation poor Hal
lowell must cause you"
Irritation" A world of emphasis
entered into the word. "And just be-
cause l was foolish enough to let him
propose to me!' she walled.
"Well, of course" Jack said slowly,
"you must expect to have your scalps
cost you little something, Esse."
HE doesn't say anything" exclaimed
chance to tell him what l think of his
logging my footsteps everywhere"
1T certainly is a case Of the villain
still pursued her." Ormsby said. what
do you want me to do, Essie-call him
out and plug him full of holes"
"Ugh! Don't be so vulgar! l don't
want you to do anything but tell me
what to do to get rid Of him."
Jack was almost the only man she
knew well who had not proposed to
her. Men had fallen before her charms,
had said their little piece land some
said 1t rather well, she had to admit to
herself, and gone their way, and until
now no man had really been able to
trouble her serenity.
do think Of something, jack" she
pleaded. Its been three months now
since he-he"-
"Since he said the momentous words
which made him-not yours, eh?" And
Ormsby laughed, but his hands trem-
bled as he shifted the cane little.
Don't be absurd! He doesn't want
me any more than other men do"
"Whew Your serene conceit is GER
tainly charming, Essie."
Don't be unkind. You know it's
true" she said calmly. ANY woman
with fluffy hair and blue eyes. can
bring men to her feet Only you don't
get foolish and propose to me. Jack"
mo, | don't propose to you," he
said quite calmly.
"And that's why like you
"Then I'll try not to make you dis
like me. But what can | do to poor
Hallowell? A cat may look at a
king But Esther interrupted snap
pishly.
'"That's no reason why a calf should
look at me all the timer
poor girl! You're finding it mighty
hard getting away from the conse-
quences Of your own sin, eh?'
"What sin have committed?" she
demanded, with conscious innocence.
SIS it a sin to refuse to marry a man
you don't wants"
moo. But how about-well, not ex-
but
She favored him with a frigid look.
II beg your pardon, Mr.. Ormsby," she
observed.
"Well, you needn't" he said quietly.
you expect plain talk from people
whose advice you ask. don't you? No
man will ever ask woman TO marry
him if she doesn't give him the Oppor-
tunity."
THAT is different; but such remarks
as you are making now are hardly in
the nature of advice, Jack"
"Well, don't see that there's much
you can do" he drawled, and his eyes
began to twinkle. There seem to be
but two courses to pursue, and two
only
"Oh, here's your Sultan and the run
aboutv' suddenly cried Esther, clap
ping her hands and springing up. Are
you going to take me to ride, Jack"
"Well, it's what / came around for
but your tale of woe about knocked it
out of my head"
The negro from the stable leaped
out and held the big bays head. Es-
Their ran down to the gate, forgetting
the beruffied parasol lying on the ve-
randa. Ormsby followed lazily.
Feeling pretty gay, isn't he, Jack
son?' he asked, pulling on glove and
looking at Sultan, who danced charm
ingly to the accompaniment of little
squeals of delight from Esther.
"Yes sab; he do sah."
"Hop in, Essie," Ormsby said, hold
ing out his hand to assist her. Then
he added, speaking Of angels, there's
Hallowell now"
A fresh faced young fellow cantered
by on a fine horse and lifted his hat
seriously. A little way beyond he
pulled in the animal and dismounted
as though he would come back to speak
to the couple at the runabout.
"Do hurry up!' exclaimed Esther un-
der her breath. what shall do to
get rid Of him, Jack? You said there
were two ways. What are they"
"Well," and Ormsby buttoned the
glove slowly and put one foot on the
step of the runabout, you might mar
ry him to get rid Of him."
mo, thank your she exclaimed,
pouting and tossing her head. Then
she started and looked toward the
house. "Oh, Jack-my parasol shall
want it."
Ormsby had already leaned forward
to seize the reins. He glanced at the
colored man. miss Dingley's parasol