Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-02-27
'"I won't talk about it if you 4

= : n
lin Ford-y you'll break the corner Of
your cap in a, minute, Dick only
that Mr.. Franklin Ford there,
knew you would! Your cap is in
an awful state, Dick, so is your
4 gown only that Mr.. Franklin Ford
\ -oh, how stupid you are, DickI
4 You know perfectly well what she
said!"
| / flung the battered cap upon the
bench, thrust my hands into my
pockets, rested my chin on my neck
tie and stared moodily at my toes.
There was long pause. Presently
felt the lightest touch on my arm.
| | took no notice. The touch grew
more insistent. 3
I "Poor boy!'' said Daisy. 'Dick,
1 I told her that / thought Mr.. Ford
horrid."
Odd your" l cried, my hands fly
ing from my pockets to elsewhere.
81 wish papa wouldn't insist on
going abroad all the long vacation.
! He says he can work better there.
| Never mind, Dick. It's only till
/ October"
/ "Onlyw said I in tones Hamlet
might be proud Of.
'WiH it seem very long?" she
asked, dropping her lashes.
Gas if you didn't know
''Y es-but; Dick, I may like to be
told all the same, you know"
| So told her, and cons and cons
of weary waiting rose before us at
the bidding Of my words.
"And in all that time," she said,
care you sure you won't forget?
Oh, well, then I believe you won't
Think, Dick, what it will be when
you come. back. You must look out
ofeyour window all the first day
and perhaps | may come by !.
Sand look up?"
"Perhaps."
"Perhaps you'll have forgotten"
ooh, Dick, that is horrid of yous
I never forget my friends" s~
"Friends!" I echoed Indignantly.
"Well, you know what | mean,"
said she indulgently.
AS she spoke the great clock in
the tower struck H. She sprang to
her feet.
Don't CO." I urged. <sDaisy, it's :
the last time"
ooh, but | must. So must you"
She seemed resolute.
swell, then, before you go prom
isep' | urged.
"But r have promised. Well,
then, yes, promise, Dick" !. :
you'll think Of no one else the
whole time2''
'No, of no one else"
The garden seemed peaceful and
quiet. We sat down on the bench
again for a moment-or it was
meant to be moment. But such =
moments are endowed from heaven
with blessed elasticity.
Then, at cry from Daisy, | look
ed up.
A tall, stout man in gold specta-
cles stood looking down at us,
curious, only half unkind smile on -
his face. 1t was the provost. | feltNi
crimson all over and sat speechless.
"Pray, what's the meaning Of
this, Mr.. Vansittart ?" he asked, the
mixed smile still on his lips. ].
/ looked at him in fright for an
instant; then a pride arose in me.
/ cleared my throat and began, "Sir,
l am promising
The demon of irony raked up in
the provost's mind the memory Of
his last words to me- Oh, that
had found another exordium for my
heroic speech!
upon my word said he, thrust
ing one hand into his cross cut
trousers pocket and pulling at his
whisker with the other, ''you are
promising, for your age, very prom
ising; Mr. Vansittart."
The bubble was broken. Daisy
hung her head. was red and hot =
again.
"Very promising!' chuckled the
provost, iingling the money in his
pocket. avery promising indeedw
/ could have struck him for his
mocking iteration.
"Daisy, go indoors said he, "-~
Sand, Mr.. Vansittart, may lend
yoas my ,skey of the garden gate
Pray be so good as to return it to
the porter
He handed it to me, with polite
bow. Daisy was in retreat, hurry
ing in sad shame toward the house. -
took the key.
81 meant it, sir" | stammered.
"You're a young fool" said he
nd held out his hand.