The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-12-27

| a very tfndcE lght hand, in Tavt Y
was necessary 10 know her for years
to really understand her. And she had
only met him about six months before,
One crisp, lovely morning about
| three weeks after ! got back, ! went
for a solitary ramble on the common.
1 / VAS striding along slashinG the
broom blossoms sayagely with my
stick. when q voice close behind me
made me start violently.
Even if you do feel cross. Tony, you
needn't vent your i'll temper on the
gorse"
And there was Prue! Prue! A mock
Ing. glowing gypsy Of d Prue!
| gripped her outstretched hands IN
triee, and we stood and laughed at
each other foolishly
"You here," gasped.
why not? I've Just as much right
as YOU she said with a .belligerent
sparkle in her eyes, \
What have you been doing all this
timer | asked ignoring her last re-
mark.
Enjoying myself And what has
my Uncle Tony been doing with him
self?"
I'm not your uncle, Prue. and !
wouldn't be for worlds"
Wouldn't you? Well. you might
have told NE 50 gradually, You should
always break that sort of thing gen
fly
"Prue. where's that guardsmah?" |
demanded, sternly
Give it up. ask me another she
replied, as she eooly borrowed my
stick TO- play with.
began to feel aasurdly llght-heart-
cd. for that guardsman had weighed
heavily
Am to buy you wedding present,
Prue?"
Dear Tony! How perfectly sweet
OF you. Why of course I'm always
ready 10 receive presents. birthday, I'M
birthday or wedding. You see, it's
never wise to refuse good offer, is
it?"
That depends on what you consider
good, said, soomily. If you refer
TO the guardsman-well, of course,
tastes differ"
How you do harp on the guards
man." cried Prue. A single string
becomes monotonous, Tony
True, / assented, You never
erred in that respect Prue.
Tony, when a lady makes a great
effort and offers to come for walk
with you, YOU should be pleasant and
polite to her At present you are
neither"
Are you coming for walk with
me. Prue?" | said, gayly.
Yes, If you ask, kind sir she said.
Tony Lets pretend The old days have
come back, and you haven't grown old,
and there's no guardsman at all, shall
we? Wen be the Old and The Young
And what about the money!"
The words had slipped ont before
was aware. Prue stopped and save
queer little, long drawn "oh" Then
sue Salu, sOllIs'
Tony, dear, let's pretend that the
money came to You and not to me,
Its too impossible a case said l.
My pretending won't stretch to it,"
Then let's pretend we are both as
poor as poor. What would you do.
rony?' I
Marry you tomorrow " again The
words had -.al!lped out before could
prevent them
There was q delicious peal of laugh
.er from Prue, au1 then she said
softly:
Shouldn't | have a voice in that
matter, sir?"
"Pruo" ! said. without looking at 1
Ter. IF we were both as poor as poor /
md | asked you to marry me, what
would you say?'
Il should say Yes, please" said |
'rue.
"Prue! DO you mean it, darling?"
cried. forgetting that 1t was a game
And l caught her to my heart and
Kissed her dear lips before she could
answer
When remem6ered, and stricken
vim shame. released her, sne stood
FLUSHING Ike Il dumaslt rose in front
# ne. then. giving me swift. shy
oob from under her long lashes, she
aid:
"lou do pretend we'll Tony. Il fell
uile real Didn't il TO you2
III dd,' 7 said. ferv6ntly, but It
vas only pretending, pruc."
That's ALL" she assented, sadly
1t was srateful and comforting, some.
ow, Tony wasn't it?'
Comforting. There's nothing like
t for comfort" / exclaimed, Juggling
uriously at my mustache.
We walked along some little way In
Hence. Then Prue's small soft hand
rept into mine and she said:
Tony, lets lose the money or bury
/. IL you dislike it so. and let's 80 o.
retending as long as We live"
Now. what are You 10 do with cir
ke thate Why, nothing, except thank
.od for herr
And. after all the money wasn't S.
DECENTRALIZATION you grew accus.
lmed TO It.