The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1906-06-28

| with II. | told him that the editor
said il was too crude. and he agreed.
| was offended, and | expect he
saw II, for he went on as quickly as
possible TO explain what he meant
He said a great deal, but as far as
] can remember the meaning of IL all
was that | had had no experience OF
getting engaged and that sort of
| thing and that the tale showed this
weakness. He said | had much to
learn and before | corrected the story
| ought to try to improve.
| Did you ever hear anything so silly?
How could | gain experience in day
or two? Who was there to help me?
told Mr.. Kingswell what thought
of his idea. OF course it would be
useful, but impracticable.
| always knew he was a fine chum
| had known him for ever so many
years but | think he was just trump
| for what he suggested 1t was that
he should be my lover for a fort.
night, so that | might see how a man
would act If he loved somebody.
Since he didn't mind the trouble,
was Of course perfectly willing, and
soon after we had arranged it he left,
But no sooner had Mr.. Kingswell
gone than | began to feel wretched.
1t was about his last book. | read
it. There was such a nice girl in 1t,
about like me should think. | won
dered If she pretended to he his very
dear friend while he wrote the book.
1t wasn't a nice idea somehow.
Next day Mr.. Kingswell wrote me
a little note asking me to go skating
with him that afternoon On the lake.
went, and did enjoy myself inn
mensely. He looked after me and
talked so nicely that was sorry
when he had to go back to dinner.
Dad was laughing when he. met us in
the hall. | didn't see why, for l
hadn't told hir1 about our plan, and
didn't seem to want to; but sud
denly he kissed me and went off in
a hurry, which ] thought was rather
funny of him.
had always felt wee bit jealous
that Mr.. Kingswell always came to see
dad and not particularly me; but now
when | knew his visits were really
mine it was delightful. | had a love
ly time and the days just flew by.
The fortnight began to draw to the
end. counted the days as they
passed l couldn't help thinking how
should miss a lover. For he was
splendid actor; anyone would think
he really meant it.
| remember once we went for a
walk-dad, Mr. Kingswell and /
when one of those harum-scarum
Graham boys dashed up on his bi.
cycle Just as we were crossing the
road | cant tell how it happened,
but the next minute Mr.. Kingswell was
lifting me up all covered with road
dust whilst dad was anxiously en-
treating me to tell him if were hurt.
| wasn't, and said SO; and really it
was a good thing dad had turned TO
speak to the boy, for it took my
"lover" quite a long time to realize
there was nothing the matter. He
kept on holding me as il he would
never let me go and ! distinctly heard
him murmur: Thank God for that
my darling" when l said | was all
right. exactly as If 1t really mattered
to him.
At length the last day came and Mr..
Kingswell did not appear till the even
ing after dinner. Dad had gone to his
study; he wouldn't let me go with
him, but said | had to amuse myself
till he came back. l took my violin
and tried to play-but couldn't, was
, too lonely So | just cuddled up on
, the big settle and tried not to cry.
q Some one came in. ! thought 1t was
I dad until looked up and saw-Mr.
= Kingswell.
. He looked so stern, | wondered what
D was the matter till | remembered the
fortnight was really over now, and of
;. course he would go back to being just
dads friend" | didn't know there
4 was such a difference wished | had
a never learned. Everything seemed
( miserable now; and really our expert
\ ment would not be of much use. for
vowed | would never write about Mr..
\ Kingswell in a book|I would just re-
: member him myself.
OF course the right thing for me to
2 do was to thank him for his kindness
III utlplI6 llc, Dul Wdo dlu w.
t He was looking at me SO unmerciful-
a ly, indeed, that daren't try, especial
ly as / knew my voice would be sure
/ to shiver as If l had just been crying
Z? and of course | hadn't. So | just
b waited and longed for dad to come in
till at last he spoke.
t "And SO our acting is over. Mar
h jory?"
n 1t was the first time he had called
me that. and | liked TO hear it.
r couldn't think of anything to say, and
d neither did he for a moment; then he
o said quite suddenly:
"You think me a good actor. DOM
" you? Marjory-darling-it was real.'
r, | found my voice and gasped out:
/. "Oh! / am so glad"
But | hadn't time for any more, for
/, Mr.. Kingswell was only little way
Il from me. and he takes such big
@ strides!