The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-02-13
THE FATAL SHAVING BALL

en- a proposal for a shaving bali.
She had known Dan Crosby ma2y
years and liked him wei. though size
had not guessed how well until mat
fate Thanksgiving day, three years he
fore They had been guests at house
party given by jeans school chun,
Katherine Bell. whose husband was
Dams partner in law.
Jean had been popular with girls
ana men alike, being always gracious,
/ ever ready for whatsoever fun might
( BE- proposed. She was not pretty but
she alone bemoaned the fact There
was something irresistible about her
funny little nose and wide. good.
natured mouth; and her brown eyel
beaming tenderness and gladncss upon
the world. charmed ali who met her
AS he watched her day AFTER day.
making merry with all ner heart and
soul. for it was Jeans way to 90 an
things well. Dan realized the stretch o9
his great love for her aud the deadly
gloom that would shadow his life vt,a.
out thc sunshine Of her presence
Many and many a time he had ,-ied
to tell her OF his love, bur always lus
courage had failed him. he feared
that she would laugh at his presump.
tious hopes and leave him deso,ate.
ccsides, there was Jack selstead Jean
seemed fond of him. and Jack, be
knew. was more than fond of Jean.
Only that very day he had come upon
them ia the tower-room having conn.
Dental chat, and Jean had looked con.
fused as she glanced up from the shaw.
ing ball She was fastening Tor Jack.
and YET there We're moments when bis
!. very soul grew big with Joy; moments
wnea he fell sure chat Jeans eyes held
lighr for him that was not there Cor
any other Tomorrow would be Thanks.
giving Day. and in an agony Of hope
and fear Dan resolved to do or die and
TO make an opportuulty OF doing be.
fore the day was done.
Bright and beautiful the morning
dawned; a crisp frost silvered all lbs
! earth and the air was keen and brac.
4 ting TaKing heart OF grace, Dan began
bis toilet in hopeful rrame of mind.
planning to catch Jean, who was al.
ways down before the others, and ax.
: tract promise OF a tramp with him.
s. N3,,s l,,o1. soes -,.- -u,,f1 ~ a., ,,...s a.,
i fore Jean came In with selste0d. ieok.
c ing bright 40 a robin in her scarlet
suit. and tull of enthusiasm over thei7
. walk to the river.
Poor Dan grew anxious and mser
= able as Mrs BELL informed hes guasts
: that the drag would be round sfteG
breakfast and they would have jolly
drive. getting back in time for che old
fashioned o'clock turkey dinner lt
would be impossible TO tell Jean his
sscret on the drag even were he luCky
enough TO secure seat beside her
There would be 40 time before dinner
10 and very little after; these festive din
70 ncrs hung on Cor ever and his ,Tain
lef.a, 7;10. He must make time 5eal
: snould know he loved her. and ne a!'
2 fato Anything was better than thil
tcruring suspense.
y = TO a.! but Dan the day was sue
cess. the drive and the dinner had heel
perfect song and story adding 10 10,
merry cheer To him 1t was q wretch
ed failure: the time had come to sa!
goodbye, and be had had no chance L,
speak with Jean alone. With all n,
Chcerfulness ne could command h,
3 bade goodbye TO his hostess and 1el
4 guests. but Jean was not among them
u Hurt and disappointed he hurried frOu
J. the room, and would have left ,h,
e house without a word with her, he5 no
- JEANS voice arrested him. "Oh. Dan
come back and say good-byel" sh,
+ cyied Looking back Dan saw her hal
" way up the stairs. her hands out
. stretched. her eyes alight for him.
- Dropping mis- bag he went quickly al
The stairs and taking her hands in bi
g. begged breathlessly. Jean. dear. 80,
n are good 30 every one, be good 70 iue
ie u you would make me-" DAN" call
ei his host appearing IN the hall
q Come on old man, you haven't a mo
ment to spare" Promise nae. Jean
.e pleaded Dan. And with sparkling eye
y dean promised.
y Going to aes COON. Jean watcher
:. ene dogcart cut Of sight whispering &
=. herself the while, III only Cared D.
pr sure il is myself Dan wants. believ,
sr but ! can't be certain. so l will sen.
him a shaving-ball, and give him
y chance to speak more plainly II h
z wants TO-"
- That very night she made the 1al
% and sent it with this note next day: