Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1905-09-01


enough insult that you should press my
hand and tell me how happy l had
made you"
"Insult?" he echoed. 'Wherein lay
the insult?'
That you should suppose that
would have come back just for your
sake"
"Of COURSE" he said deprecatingly,
Il knew that your father cabled you,
but | supposed that you were glad of
an excuse"
Mildred stamped her foot in veXa,
ton. There you go again." she fumed.
"Why should you suppose that l would
be glad of an excuse"
Why" vaguely, ''to get back, to
see everybody-and me-"
Il suppose you thoughts that l paid
attention to what you said when I
went away"
"What was that?" he asked interest.
edly.
You wanted to bet l would not be
gone six months"
Il remember" he said, with sudden
enlightenment. The stakes were ten
pounds Of candy against He blum,
dered little
MY penalty was an engagement to
you," she finished.
81 had almost forgotten" he con-
fesscd. you grew 50 angry when
suggested 1t that put it out of nsy
mind.'
And yet" she insisted, you appear
disposed to claim the forfeit"
Mildred" he said tenderly, Il
thought had won your Eeart through
something more than n bet"
"We,l,' che sobbel, "you made me
feel SO humiiiatcd at the dock"
"Why?" he urged
"Supposing that had come back to
see you and that l was so anxious to
become engaged that was willing to
dispense with the formality of a pro-
posalf"
"fll propose again now, II that will
help any" he suggested.
ITS too late" she said between her
sobs.
y
with an unfortunate ring of triumph In
his voice.
Ne" She sat up very suddenly,
dry eyed and angry. II did once think
| liked you, but when you were so hof-
rid this morning l realizel my error"
How was | horrid this morning?" he
asked patiently.
hnt 4
| just because came back sooner than
| wanted to-"
But | did not suppose that" he
denied Il knew that your father had
cabled for you"
"Then why did you take II all for
granted?" she demanded. hurt pride IN
her voice. Don't you suppose that q
woman wants TO be asked before she
becomes engaged? Don't you know that
I'd have died sooner than come bach
had l known you would put that con
| struction on my actionsf"
"But didn't" he repeated. II knew
| you had to come home because they
were afraid poor old Bob was worse.
"Then why should you suppose We
| are engaged If you are not trying t.
collect that horrld bet?" she sobbed.
Because you cabled me you would
marry me-" he explained
Mildred rose to her feet, her eye!
flashing. "It seems to me-" she sait
RngrIy, you could find Il better excuse
than a wicked falsehood like that"
| ,,t Il Ia 4nI 70
and told you that | simply could not
get along without you and asked If
could come over and make your tour
our bridal trip. You cabled back Yes,
md then before l could get steamer
your father told me that you were
coming home"
Il never got such letter." she de
clared, "and never would send suct
cable"
"Well, l wrote the letter and got the
cable"
Il only cabled papa when he sent fol
me-"
''That the only cablegram"
81 sent two. The first was when re
ccived his message and said l woult
come and the second was to tell hin
the boat sailed on"
"Did you send bothi" he asked, ,
smile beginning to tighten his drawn
face.
II wrote the first. The second tn
steamer agent sent for me-"
Would you mind" he asked, writ
ing the address againf"
Defantly she moved to the desk ant
presently handed him slip Of pape