Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-05-27
HE ASKED HER FIRST

her little round Of household duties |
At II o'clock Mr.. Winterfood came to |
tune the piano. He had wrestled with |
the drawing room piano, once a quar-
ter, for fifteen years, and the little |
old man, with his red pocket handker-
chef and black bag. was a particular
favorite of Margarets. Her mother,
having learnt on the telephone that the
gittering Monty would arrive soon af-
ter II. was anxious to send the old
fellow away, but Margaret wouldn't
hear of it.
suppose somebody calls" said the
older lady, not daring to tell the truth.
Nobody is at all likely to CALL" said
the girl lightly
SO Mr. Winterflood proceeded to his
irritating task, tapping note after note
in vain attempt to adjust an instru-
ment on which certain healthy young
lady delighted to play comic opera with
the loud pedal down.
Margaret sat by his side. ut gets
worse and worse" said the old man,
sadly. Some of the notes in the bass
are almost dumb"
Al lldl DlOlHcll MIS- DuSu tnltI0O
the room with an expansive smile of
triumph on her face. Monty has call
ed, and wants to see you particularly"
she said.
Monty" said her daughter with a
frown. What brings him here?"
Then she remembered with a start
her reckless words at the breakfa st
table. and her heart sank.
IF you are a wise girl you will seize
the chance" said her mother; then
she added piously, 'but I don't wish to
persuade you. l think you said you
intended to accept the one who asked
you first"
The girl sighed. and swept rather
angrily out of the room. 1t was really
too bad to have ones words taken VI
like that. She didn't want to accep
any one just now. Whoever heard O
a man proposing before lunch?
=. She found the glittering youth in tn
library. His attire was as nearly per
feet as the most expensive tailor coul'
>, make it. but it was easy to see b
was nervous.
= "What a funny time to call" sal
the young lady rather rudely, but oh
= was not in gracious humor. g
D.. thought you were busy in the city q
: this time in the morning"
= $50 am as a rule" he said with
q, somewhat vapid smile. But ] had
telephone message
. "Of course, it's awfully nice of yo
70 look in" she said hastily. "Yo
=, didn't come to the concert last night
" mo" he stammered. 1.-THE fact
understood that you-you were goiI
with some one else"
The young lady frowned. 1t WI
=, rather q sore point. Jack had proI
; ised to take her and he had not turn'
v IN so that she had been obliged to
+ with her parents. Monty had unco
. sciously scored one, and her mind !
- vcrted to the furs
It, az wanted to ask you something"
=, began.
Do "I'm Just going shopping" she sa
10 with sudden energy. You can col
10 too If YOU like and then you can
me as we go along" With true fe
ar i,ine demonstration she was trying
a. nostpone the evil moment, for she b
i-I an insane feeling that she would ha
,or TO keep her word, and accept him
he succeeded in asking her the gu
he ton.
,ro az want to know, if" he beg
led desperately.
lie "What about umbrelias?" she ash
od severely. as it likely to rain?"
'va at don't think So" ne said. ~
question was going
&c "Of course, yes, you. were going
nd ask me a question:" she said swee
mo "Now. isn't it funny? Whenever +
- - nle ask me questions, / always
me the wrong answer"
nv. Her eyes were sparkling with
~ c,tement. She had obstinately made
her her mind that If he succeeded In
ont nosing. and forced her "a give an