The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1905-07-28

The hush Of the bright July night
was broken only by a rich baritone
voice singing a southern love song to
a banjo accompaniment on one Ofthe
nearby hOuseboats.
From the room below there came
every now and then the jarring sound
Of no trumps-' May play 30 HAY
ing nOne2"
The girl turned to her companion.
I really believe that when mama dies
she viii turn into a bridge maker
The man gave a short laugh Yes,
it's almost sacrflege to play bridge on
a night like this. In such a night
Media gathered the enchanted
herbs -
"Oh. Bob. don't get pOeticaI; be-
sides, I hate Kipling.''
Il can't help being poetical and I
was quoting Shakespeare, not Kip
ling" he remarked.
''Oh, well. it does not matter, they
are so much alike. But seriously, Bob,
I don't think mama has an idea in
life beyond bridge and getting me
married"
HIN, suppose not" he answered,
obviously. thinking Of something else.
Silence followed and the man began
to ddget
The girl turned to him. Bob, dear,
please spare me the trouble Of saying
I viii be a sister to you"
Why, what do you mean?" he
asked.
well, you see know the symp-
toms. When you are going to pro
pose you take your handkerchief out
Of your pocket, put it back with the
utmost care, then find your cigarette
case and suddenly remember that you
cannot decently ask permission to
smoke while proposing"
''Oh, come, Madge, you're a bit
hard on a fellow"
do you know" she continued, that
If I had not stopped you this would
have been the seventeenth time that
you have proposed to me?'
why won't you marry me"
Really, don't see why should. -
But surely I'm as good as most
other fellOWs?"
That's Just it. You are exactly
like other fellows. There is nothing
to distinguish any Of you except your
waistcOats-"
That's rather cruel" he observed.
Because it's true?" she said.
But what on earth do you want
me TO dO?" he asked. You say I
ought to be different Well, IL il will
please you will put on a frOck coat
and silk hat tomorrow and punt you
down to Henley in a canoe"
Don't be f1ippant," the girl re-
marked, half laughing, half annoyed
Look here he said, what do you
really want me to do? I have dab
bled in most things and"--
'Dabbledi That's it, she cried.
You read for the bar; you stand for
parliament; the war breaks out, and
you electrify every one by eniisting
and going to the frOnt-for six
months. You write half a play-yOu
l-yOu-Oh, you just dabbI's. Rob.
There's nothing determined or per-
manent about you" Then laughing
y she continued, NO, I really don't
mama says, Lord DaventTy is a much
better match"
What he exclaimed You don't
seriously mean to tell me that you
are going to marry that young ass
Daventry2"
'I fail to see why shouldn't" she
answered, cOncealing her amusement
You are much alike (here she near
" laughed outright) and he has the
advantage Of being a viscOUnt and a
future earl. while you are merely Mr..
Robert Langley"
Yes; but you cannot be in earnest
about marrying him You shall not
marry him. I say you shan't," he ex-
claimed, and getting up, began to
pace the deck
BE careful, Bob" she answered
You are going just the right way to
work to make me want TO marry
him.
Look here" he said, coming back
and standing in front Of her, at the
risk Of becoming tedious have to re-
peat, Miss Heathmere, that you shall
never marry Daventry.'
Looking up at him the girl sudden
~ realized that she loved him. It
had needed Just this touch OF master
fitness on his part to bring the long
suspected clearly before her
Lord Daventry has invited mama
and me to tea at Ranelagh on Tues
day. He is going TO drive US down in
his new car"
well, Of course you will not go
now he remarked
Why not. pray2'' she asked
Because I don't want you to
Madge; really ] don't"
Just now her mama nObly an
nounced her intention Of sacrificing
whole afternoons bridge to my inter
e-Lc EcA4 4 AO4A4 lAgL 81 DNN INV
since you forbid il, Master Bob, I
most decidedly shall
Please, Madge-as the first favor
that have ever asked beg Of you
not to 60 Let me drive you and
your mother down"
Don't be absurd OF course I shall
go with Lord Daventry," she answer
ed
VERY we'll, then L shall stop it"
How, pray2"
That viii be as I may think fit
But be certain Of one thing, Miss
Heathmere, that you shall drive down
to Ranelagh with me and not with
DaventFy. and you shall take tea with
me and not with Daventry-"
On the following day the weekend
house party broke up. and Bob Lang
ley Travelled back TO town with moth
er and daughter, much 70 the form
eF's annoyance
Mrs. Heathmere sat in one corner
OF the carriage and wondered why
she had lost that last rubber and in
eidentally why people who were not
wanted could never take a hint when
they were given one 1t was a well
known fact that Langley had ten
thousand a year, but then Dayentry
had as much and a title as well Yes,
she must snub Langley well.
The other two talked common