Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-03-03
FILIPINO THE COIN.

white roads. Beyond, the ragged line
of hills stood out sharply against the
sky.
isn't 1t splendid, DAM" said Alicia,
with appreciative enthusiasm. T
didn't really know there were such
bits of landscape about here"
Alton settled back comfortably on
the cushions. With studied delibera-
ton he lighted cigar and pulled
away several moments before he
turned to the girl.
II thought I'd stop in the pleasant
est spot l knew Of" he explained.
"We'n probably stay here for some
time"
"Indeed?" she said.
1--WE shall stay here until you de-
cide," he affirmed.
Decide WHAT" said she.
Decide to answer the question
asked you a short time since; the
one, in fact, I have asked you repeat
eddy during the past year."
Alicia frowned,
"You develop determination rather
suddenly" she observed.
Exactly" he returned, stolidly.
WELL" she said, you may as we'll
go on. I'm not ready 10 answer you
yet"
Alicia" he said, gravely, cts not
fair to treat me in this way. You
should give me an answer, one way
or the other"
And either answer would be quite
welcome after this patient wait of
yours" she Knocked.
did say so?" he asked, quickly.
ut is evident I'm not worth waiting
for" she said, looking pensively
across the valley.
you are worth waiting for for
ever" he declared, stoutly, "but It
isn't fair to keep me in suspense
like this. You know as we'll now as
you ever will"
There are pros and cons to be
weighed thoroughly before l decide"
she said. "a man always thinks
woman can decide offhand a matter Of
the gravest import.
Atoms eyes twinkled.
Alicia flashed him an angry glance.
I'VE may as well be going" she
said with some constraint. cts
growing late"
81 haven't my answer yet" Alton
reminded her.
"If you intend to wait for that, I'll
walk home" she said.
hA
ashes from his cigar. He drew a PEN
ny from his pocket and laid it on his
knee with exaggerated care.
1--WE a proposition to make" he
said slowly. 1T seems that you have
no intention of definitely settling this
matter. Therefore, suppose we let
Fate decide it with the turn of this
coin. II it comes heads you'll marry
me in June; IL tails, I'll leave the
field to other suitors. is 1t agreed?"
The girl turned her eyes and gazed
at him silently. There was unutter.
able scorn in that look.
Wed better go back" she said
icily.
Alton turned the automobile and
they sped homewards over the hard
white roads. Alicia sat silently be-
side him. Her head was turned away,
but he could see the angry color in
her cheek.
Instead of being crushed, as it was
meant he should have been, he seemed
vastly amused. For some time he
made no attempt to resume CONVEX
sation.
Alicia" he said at length, have I
Numbered again? Are you angry"
81 didn't think you were capable OF
such thing" she said wrathfully.
you have said my answer meant
everything in the world to you; but
how much do you care If you are will.
ing to leave it to the turn of a coin?''
Everything" he said imperturba,
bly,.
"You can't, or you'd never have
suggested such a hazard" she de-
clared.
81 was desperate" he said with be
coming meekness.
perhaps we'd best say nothing
more about It," she said.
"And, with all this, haven't my
answer" he complained.
Alicias face was calmly disdainful
"Dan," she said, "it seems TO me you
might guess, after what has happened
what my answer will be. If you
were willing to leave it all tc
chance"
"Chance?" he cried.
Certainly" she cried, "the chance
of a coins turn"
Alton threw back his head and
laughed heartily. Alicia watched hin
in amazement. Then his face became
grave.
Pardon, Alicia" he apologized
"but those remarks about chance are
amusing. Did you imagine for min
ute that would trust to the turn o
an ordinary penny?"
He drew the penny again from hi