The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-20
A CHANGE OF HEART.
BY JEANNE 0. L0IZEAUx. ,pyright. 1905, by Daily Story Pub.

N$oPyht6Het ~N~St "one reason that like you, Ken is that you make me feel little! It a great thing to weigh one hundred and forty pounds and to find man that makes you feel snali!' said Elaine dabbling her hands in the wa ter. Renwick Hardy laughed as he padded up the river.
 Now" he retorted, find some one to make you feel like the lily-maid your name requires. and I suppose you'll be happy" I'm too hopelessly brown and healthy. and practical: I shall never feel like a Iily-maid." she sighed.
 No. you won't--you1 feel nothing sit mighty still. This little shell ale most ships water now with two such heavy weights as we are-not 10 speak of this coffee pot full of steak and this can of cream. Why didn we make Jack and Elsie take the eat- abies?
 There's enough for a dozen cou- ples instead of three. Ken. Let's cook the steak ourselves--look out there! Your sweaters trailing sleeve What made you bring it?''
 instinct. college man doesnt [ go outing without sweater. Elaine, he said abruptly, why didn't you marry Billy PrestonT
 .Because-I didn't want to--not that it's any business of yours! Though he was a fool to tell he asked me. I never tell.'
 q know you don't-thats one req son like you. though I do not be- lieve in telling you so. because you're so badly spoiled now" Her eyes scorned him, but he padded serene- ly on
 us until we reach the landing place. Elaine. why didn't you marry Reginald Kent?'
 None of your business; but 1t was because I didn't want to! Isn't that reason enough?"
 "Yes. Is that also why you didn't marry half a dozen others that could name? Is it? Then, while I am ask ing questions, and also padding so as not to waste time, let me humbiy in- auire why you always happen not to want to?' ,, "Your impertinence passes all hounds. Rem" But her dancing eyes showed her lack of anger
 ''The reason I ask he went on iEn- perturbably, Ifs that would like to | know" in a general way. why you would refuse me if should ask you! I haven't asked you, and perhaps ] never shall. but am curious to know | why should be turned down like the
 other fellows. Now. Elaine, here am. big and healthy and good Joking -oh yes, you do think so! You told
 Mary Treasham so--it's nothing to blush at, Wait till I finish. Good looking, and with plenty of money
 and a good law practice. Why
 wouldn't a sensible girl of your tastes that fit in so finely with mine, be
 willing to marry heT"
 You're splashing my skirt" she said calmly, and you talk folly-as ] usual. But if you want to know-its | because you-all of you, sooner or later make yourselves ridiculous. ] have a fine sense of humor. but can't laugh at the man-I love. couldn't care for him if he was IT. diculous. man is always ridiculous when he proposes. and then nothing on earth could make me marry him. Since I am telling. well. Billy got down on his knees, and the back Of his neck looked so funny that l sim ply fled-I couldn't help laughing liked Billy, too. Reginald got rcd and perspired, and his eyes popped out Jack Townsend always moved me to call him Fido, he was so devoted. They were all funny, and l was sure others would sooner or later see 1t, too. Just magazine being tied to a man that people laughed at! should hate him." Blaine shivered prettily. Now. you, Ken, can't make yourself ridiculous-nature saved you the trou- ble. and you're so big that you always seem to dignify any fool thing you do or say"
 Don't flatter me, EIaine-I don't intend to hang from your belt with the others. Not that I can help-lov- ing you" he said frankly. "I do, but since I can't ask you without being ridiculous. and cant be ridiculous without making you hate me, that seems to end it 1t was good of you to tell me"
 The girl flushed. for she loved the man. and she knew he would not cas- fly be dangled like the others-that stern self-respect lay beneath his jok- ing; she did not know what to say. It was sunset. and the autumn woods were red and gold as they drew near the picnic grounds where they were to cook supper on the rocks They floated a moment till the other two couples padded up. As they ap- preached he said under his breath;
 Elaine. the others were funny be- cause you did not love them. Wait til you really love a man, and any thing he does will seem serious to you HI, there. Jack! We land first, In spite of your boast! Look out there. Not so closet"
 | In his endeavors fo .faar Fror, lack s