Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-09-06
FLIPPIAG the COIN.

Below was vista Of green
fields and winding white roads. Be
yond, the ragged line of hills stood
out sharply against the sky.
Isn't it splendid, DAMP" said Alicia,
with appreciative enthusiasm. II didn't
really know there were such bits Of
landscape about here"
Alton settled back comfortably on
the cushions. With studied delibera-
ton he lighted cigar and puffed
away several moments before he turn
ed to the girl.
II thought I'd stop In the pleasant
est spot know Of" he explained.
"We'Il probably stay here for some
time"
"1ndeed?" she said.
I'VE shall stay here until you de-
eide" he affirmed.
Decide what?" said she.
Decide to answer the question
asked you short time since; the one
in fact, have asked you repeatedly
during the last year"
Alicia frowned.
You develop determination rather
suddenly" she observed.
Exactly" he returned, stolidly.
WELL" she said, you may as well
20 on. I'm not ready to answer you
yet"
Alicia" he said. gravely. ITS not
fair to treat me in this way. You
should give me an answer, one way or
the other"
"And either answer would be quite
welcome after this patient wait CT
yours" she Knocked.
did say so?" he asked, quick
~.
ut is evident I'm not worth waiting
for" she said, looking pensively across
the valley.
you are worth waiting for for
ever" he declared. stoutly, "but 1t
isn't fair to keep me in suspense like
this. You know as well now as you
ever will"
''There are pros and cons to be
weighed thoroughly before l decide"
she said. "a man always thinks wo-
man can decide offhand a matter of the
gravest import.
Atoms eyes twinkled.
Heaven forbid" he muttered.
Alicia flashed him an angry glance.
I'VE may as well be going" she
said with some constraint. Its grow
ing late"
II haven't my answer yet" Alton
reminded her.
III you intend to wait for that, I'll
walk home" she said.
Alton sat erect and knocked the
ashes from his cigar. He drew pen
ny from his pocket and laid it on his
knee with exaggerated care.
1--we proposition to make" he said,
slowly. ut seems that you have no
intention Of definitely settling this mat
ter. Therefore, suppose we let Fate de-
eide 1t with the turn of this coin IL
1t comes head you'll marry me in
June; II tails I'll leave the field to
other suitors. Is 1t agreed!"
The girl turned her eyes and gazed
at him silently. There was unuttera-
BILE scorn In that look.
WED better go back she said.
icily.
Alton turned the automobile and
they sped homeward over the hard
white roads. Alicia sat silently beside
him. Her head was turned away. but
he could see the angry color in her
cheek.
Instead of being crushed, as 1t was
meant he should have been, he seemed
vastly amused. For some time he
made no attempt to resume CONVEX.
sation.
Alicia" he said at length. have l
blundered again? Are you angry?"
~ didn't think you were capable of
such thing" she said. wrathfuIly.
"You have said my answer meant ey-
erything in the world to you, but how
much do you care II you are willing to
leave it to the turn of coin?"
Everything" he said lmperturba-
bly,.
You can't. or you'd never have sug.
gested such hazard" she declared.
II was desperate he said with be.
coming meekness.
perhaps we'd best say nothing more
about It," she said.
"And, with all this haven't my an.
swer," he complained.
Alicia's face was calmly disdalnful
Dan" she said, at seems to me YOU
might guess. after what has happened
what my answer will be. II you were
willing to leave 1t all to chance"
"ChanceY' he cried.
Certainly" she cried, "the chanc.
of coins turn
Alton threw back HIS head ant
laughed heartily. Alicia watched hin
in amazement. Then his face became
grave.
pardon, Alicia" he apologlzed, .'bu
those remarks about chance are anus
ing. Did you imagine for a mInut,
that would trust to the turn of A,
ordinary penny?"
He drew the penny again from al
pocket and laid 1t in her hand.
ut wasn't coined at mint" he ex
planned. "Kindly examine 1t CAREFUL,
and tell me what you find.'
Alicia bent over the penny.
"Why it's-it's heads on both sides
Dam" she said.
That's the chance took" he said
Shall we leave it to the coin now?'
Alicia was looking across the fields.
"If-if you like. Dan," she said
New York Daily News.
Loss Msjesre.
Three Berliners. respectable men OF
business, were promenading their
Broadway. "Unter den Linden" and