The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-05-12
The FATAL SHAVING BALL

Jean Gregory wss 80 and unmarried
Not because she would not, nor yet De.
cause she could not. but because. with
monumental stupidity, she had mistak-
en- proposal for a shaving ball
She had known Dan Crosby many
years and liked him well, though size
had not guessed bow well until ,hat
fato Thanksgiving day, three years be.
fore They had been guests at a house
party given by jeans school chuln,
Katherine Bell, whose husband was
DANG partner in law.
Jean had been popular with girls
and 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 eyes
beaming tenderness and gladness upon
the world, charmed all who met her
AS he watched her day after day,
making merry with all her heart aud
soul, for it was Jeans way To do all
things Wen Dan realized the stretch q
his great love for her, and the deadly
gloom that would shadow his life wi,h-
out the sunshine Of her presence.
Many and many a time he had tried
to tell her of his love. bur always hls
courage had failed him. He feared
that she would laugh at his pres. mp
tious hopes and leave him desoiate
Svsides. there was Jack Selstead. Ieau
seemed fond of him, and Jack, be
knew, was more than fond Of Jean
Only that very day he had come upon
them In the towerroom having a conn
dental chat, and Jean had looked con.
fused as she glanced up from the shaw.
ing ball she was fastening for Jack.
And yet there were moments when his
very soul grew big with Joy. moments
wnel he felt sure that Jeans eyes neld
a lghi for him that was not there for
any other Tomorrow would be Thanks
siying Day, and in an agony OF hope
and fear Dan resolved to do or die and
10 make an opportunity Of doing be.
fore the day was done.
Bright and beautiful urs morulns
dawned; a crisp frost silvered all The
earth and the air was keen and brao
ing Taxing heart Of grace. Dan began
bis toilet in a hopeful uame of mind.
planning 70 catch Jean, who was a.
ways down before the others. and ex.
tract a promise OF a tramp with him.
But breakfast was wen on the way he-
fore Jean came in with selstead. look.
ing bright ao a robin in her scarlet
suit and hii Of enthusiasm over then
walk TO the river
Poor Dan grew anxious and miser.
able as Mrs. Bell informed her guests
that the drag would be round after
breakfast and they would have a Jolly
drive, getting bacl, in time for the old
fashioned 2 o'clock turkey dinner. Il
would be impossible TO tell Jean his
secret on the drag even were he lucky
enough 10 secure a seat beside her.
There would be 40 time before dinner
and very little after; these festive din
ners hung on for ever. and his train
lef al 7;l0. He must make time Jean
should know he loved her and be as
fate Anything was better than this
torturing suspense.
TO al bat Dan the day MAS a sue
cess. the drive and the dianer had heea
perfect song and story adding TO The
merry cheer To him It was a wretch.
ed failurei the time had come TO say
goodbye and be had had no chance 20
speak with Jean alone. With an he
ehcerfulness ne could command be
baoe goodbye TO his hostess and aef
guests, but Jean was not among theta
Hurt and Disappointed be hurried non,