Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-06-09
IN D4tt9 5F-HE 49, ltf /, g y -
AS BY A ;
NARROW CHANCE
(Copyr1eht, 1901, BY Daily story Pub. Co..
y :. ETHEL N. couLsoN

S1SI he Two men, OuCly euouSu, ueAA'oAou
sH4 each his ultimatum on the same
evening. #:% ..~H
St5.,m" alice said Jim Benson, addressing
the woman he had loved silently for 10
years and over, II won'tEwait any longer
for my answer, and won't take no. I'm
coming to see you again" to-morro"
morning, and if you haven't told MISS
Laura that you're going to marry me-
Nwill.'''& s'''' 81. ~ / d, .'''' ~,
Y ut isn't as If you didn't love me" he
continued, taking advantage OF the sur
4. prise and amazement that held her
speeches.. you do love me, dear, and
.tyou know it., and you know that know
it; you know I've. known it-humbly-
for years Eve never dared say this be-
Tore, but you'd have let me ask you the
" question I've always .longed to ask, and
maybe said yes Ito it years ago it 1T
} shadnt been for your sister Laura. Now,
It's worse than foolish for us to do with
out or wait for our happiness any long
!. er just because she objects to my person
al appearance and family. I'm not hand
:, some, admit, and know don't show
u up we'll beside her friends and associates,
u but then-I'm not asking her to marry
qme And you 'llforgive me all the short
'comings can't help, l know. You never
Y did mind appearances as much as MISS
- Laura. I've the greatest possible respect
for your sister, dear as, Alice flushed
hotly and regarded him with dawning
Indignation; II think she's wonderful
woman, and love her for the care she's
tried to take of you: But she doesn't
really need or desire to claim yourentire
life, Alice-and do"
It was the longest speech Jim Benson
had ever made, and it left him GREATNESS.
He looked at the woman before him for
aslong, moment of tense silence, as she
blushed and quivered girlishly, her wide
eyes soft and alluring. Then, suddenly,
he caught her close to him, and kissed
her cheek. - e.-@ 1' '''~r}
Then, with a murmured reminder Of
Tomorrow morning" he was gone.
well, you mise slble IDIOT" he
apostrophized himself on the way back
to his hotel, there's a hard job over.
Talk Of wars and battles! San Juan was
nothing to it. I'd rather face whole
army of Filipinos than do that again.
But-after tomorrow morning.,
And he lost himself in happy dreams.
sss Said Arthur Huntley, addressing his
nervous image in the mirror:
'You'resa wretched coward, man, but
you'll do it this evening! It's now or
never, and it mustn't be the latter. Think
Of your foolish, cowardly waiting! Think
of how it would seem to have some
drawer man secure her, and never know
what might have happened If you'd
plucked up courage to ask her first! AS
1t sis--who knows what she thinks of
your waiting, even if she has caused it?
And II she should say no"
ButsAe utterly refused to consider a
possibility so dire and dreadful. Life
without the Ion g-held dream OF some day
having La ira Starrett for wife would
be scarcel, worth living. He felt that
the question he had for three years
lacked courage oask in. face of her de-
termined opposition could be postponed
no longer A groundless rumor in re-
gard to her tacit encouragement of an
other man had filled him with forebod-
ings Yes, certainly, he must speak.
Three ties, five collars, much time, and
unlimited effort at last turned him out
sufficiently neat and immaculate to seek
her presence. Once in it, he was shy and
embarrassed as she had never seen him.
Her woma7's intuition told her that the
decisive moment so long postponed was
close upon her. With the departure of
her earlier callers her last hope of re-
spite vanished. He took her hand as
one who will not be gainsaid.
Dear" he began, using almost the
same words as had used Jim Benson an
hour or two earlier in addressing Alice,
"Dear, must have my answer-and l
won't take no.. I've tried for three years
to ask you to marry me, and you've never
allowed it. Now feel that hearing is |
due me, and I-you must say yes, Laura.
I love you gpassionately, dearest, and
feel-sometimes-th you-don't dis
like me, although you do keep me at such |
u distance. Can't you make up your
mind to be my wife, dear woman, and
let me try to make you half as happy as
you'd make me without any trying at
all ?''5s"'& . s''-E' T. ny
= Don't answer now" he urged her, as
drawing her hand way, she would have
spoken in unmistakable manner; don't
say anything, dearest, until you've
thought it, all over And don't believe |
there's any reason for no. If you like
me, even little, believe could teach
you to love me, and believe, moreover,
that we belong to each other, that we
have no business apart"
.'As to your sister," forestalling her
unspoken thought and again using al
most the same words as Jim Benson, ito
dream of sacrificing our happiness for
her sake would be foolish and unneces-
sary. should be glad to have her share
our home, always, SO she would not miss
your companionship. For the rest, she
is fully occupied with her philanthropic
work and charities, she has her own life
to live. She does not really need rou,
dearest-and do!'