Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-21

perience for the young editor, but he &C
cepted 1t with what philosophy he could and
went to his creditors to make explanation.
They were considerable. The heaviest of
his obligations was to the press makers and
he explained the situation to them fully.
They examined into his business with great
care, listened to an outline Of his future
plans and told him that he need not worry
about the final payments on the press but
advised him to clear off all other Indebted
ness, even though payment might not yet
be due. The old mortgage which they held
would expire soon, and they told him to
come to them when it did and execute
new one. They felt that the young mans
energy and originality as already shown in
his newspaper made him safe as a creditor.
So long as he kept his interest account in
perfect shape and wiped out all his debts
except his debt to them, they assured him
that they would rather have him owe them
than pay up.
Thus he emerged from what he had fear
ed would be very troublesome dilemma,
cheered and with new energy. He took
what funds he had on hand and did as he
had been advised, paying up all indebted
ness except the money due upon the press.
This gave him handsome little property
as country newspapers go, and he began
TO dream long dreams of Mercy Cooper. 1t
seemed to him now, when he was the ac-
copied friend and actual campaign man
ager for her father, he would be unlikely
to encounter opposition from that quarter
and his success in arranging his financial
matters gave him courage. He decided that
as soon as he could screw his coura ga I'D
little he would put his fate to test and
ask her.
But there was the rubI "As soon as he
could screw his courage up was an al
most empty phrase with him where Mercy
Cooper was concerned Quiet sef-confi-
dent and competent In his work among men
always, his heart too often failed him when
ne mad to deal with women, and in Mercy
Cooper's presence he felt that he was quite
too insignificant for notice. He loved her
with devotion, but her presence. now that
he had definitely formed plan to make
her marry him, scared him almost into I'M
becility.
MY mind" he confded to the hell
box" at the Express Office, is about as
orderly and well arranged as your con-
tents are. But suppose that shall have
to dig around until, In some way. I get a.
proposal out Of the mental pi."
1t was Cooper himself who finally con-
veyed the news to his astonished and ad-
mir1ng family that in him thew saw a
Congressional possibility. but he would have
lodged the revelation If he could. He had
Deen modest but not embarrassed durin q
MS dealings with his fellow townsmen.
He had been tremendously surprised, but
not completely overcome. With his family
II was different. He blushed and felt q
tickle In his throat as If he were about to
Betsey Robin. >. .
1t was after the committee had left the
house that he realized that II he remained
ne must make the revelation. The thought
them and go with them as far as DennI-
sons store. He would wait there for an
hour. By that time Betsey Robin would
have heard the news from other sources.
Sne was no gossip, but news travelled to
her as Iron filings jump to magnets 1t
would De much easier for him IL others
toio her He wanted her to KNOWN his
secret Ser. heart he was pulled UP with pride
uon. He listened with the ears of his
imagination for some prediction OF what
her wit would fashion for 1t; but fancy
, ,a MN. He settled in his mind on
He walked toward the outer door. Pet
sey had seen the delegation when IL came
ana when 1t went away. and she knew
that nothing ordinary had caused that cere.
| monious call. She wondered why he did
not make an explanation. He knew. in
stinctlvely, that she was wondering. and
trembling inwardly. He was afraid that
she would not take the matter of his going
to Congress seriously, whereas the more
ne thought of 1t the more impressed he
was by 1t. There was glory in the compli-
ment bestowed upon him. And yet he
yearned to tell her, too But he ouictIv
reverted to his first plan as the safer one.
and started toward the door
is the fun'ral oyerg' Betsy inquired.
coming in quietly
What funeral?" he asked
Them men don't dress in black and tall,
In whispers except when some ones dead. .
she announced, and he realized that she
had seen them, after all.
Twa'n't a funeral" he asserted
She sat down, burning with curiosity
within. but outwardly quite calm.
Better hurry out to talk 1t over with
somebody you can trust" she said.
"Betsey," he said, somewhat uneasiiy,
you'd never guess what them men wanted
of me-
II amt a-goin' to try she said. stu