Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-07-13

SHE HANDED HIM A SLIP OF PAPER.
enough insult that you should press my
hand and tell me how happy | had
made you"
"Insut?" he echoed Wherein lay
the lnsult?"
THAT you should suppose that l
would have come back just for your
sake"
"Of course" he said deprecatingly,
Il knew that your father cabled you,
but l supposed that you were glad OF
an excuse"
Mildred stamped her foot in veXa-
ton There you 90 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 thought that ! 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 We're ten
pounds Of candy against He blum
dered a little.
MY penalty was an engagement TO
you" she finished
81 had almost forgotten he con
fessed. You grew so angry when l
suggested 1t that | put It out Of my
mind"
And yet, she insisted, you appear
disposed to claim the forfeit"
Mildred" he said tcnderly. Il
thought | had won your heart through
something more than a bet"
We'll" she sobbel, you made me
feel so Inundated at the dock
Why" he urged
"SuDposing that l had come back TO
see you and that | was so anxious TO
become engaged that | was willing 10
dispense with the formality Of pro
posalT'
IN propose again now, If that will
help any" he suggested.
IT'S too late" she said between her
sobs.
Then you did care for meT he said,
with an unfortunate ring Of triumph In
his voice
Mo- She sat up very suddenly,
dry eyed and angry. Il did once think
| liked you, but when YOU were so hor-
rid this morning | realized my error
How was | horrid this morning." he
asked patiently.
"Supposing that we were engaged
Just because | came bock 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 It all for
granted" she demanded, hurt pride in
her voice. Don't you suppose that
woman wants to be asked before she
becomes engaged? Don't you know that
I'd have died sooner than come back
had | known you would put that con
struction on my actionsT
but / didn't" he repeated. Il 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 to
collect that horrld bct?" she sobbed.
Because you cabled me you would
marry me-" he explained.
Mildred rose to her feet her eyes
flashing 1T seems 10 me" she said
angrHy, you could ind better excuse
than a wicked falsehood like that"
But you did" he persisted. 4 wrote
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 | could get steamer
your father told me that you were
coming home"
Il never got such a letter" she de
rlarcd and | never would send such
cable"
We'll l wrote The letter ana got the
cable"
Il only cabIcd papa when he sent for
me"
THAT the only cablcgramE
Il sent two. The first was when I re-
ccived his message and said l would
come and the second was to tell him
the boat | sailed on"
Did you send bothf' he asked, q
smile beginning to tighten his drawn
face
Il wrote the first. The second the
steamer agent sent for me"
Would you mind" he asked, writ
ing the address againT
Dehantly she moved to the desk and
presently handed him "A slip Of paDeI