The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-12-06
GeCornplete.
Loven1aker

Copyright, 1906 By E. G. PARCELS

r
Ing up at my lady, with lazy smile
My lady had way with her-it
could be sharp and short when she
chose 1t could likewise be very meek.
Now she set her finger tips together, ask
Ing plaintivly: ''Mr. Grierson, is there
nothing else you would as soon say?
You are the ninth man to tell me that
since / came to the picnic. 1 ought to
feel my sins very deeply, but somehow
can't"
"Who says you have sins? I meant
only your PROJECTIONS, Grierson began,
but she stopped him with gesture Of
appeal.
'"That,s the very worst of ALL" she
murmured. you'll be telling me next
that you came on purpose to see and
be conquered. do wish pretty speeches
didn't run in ruts so much. If could
I'd write a book about them, telling
men what not to say
81 see! The Complete Lovemaker,' 4"
Grierson answered. his eyes twinkling.
IF you wrote from the riches Of your
experience dare say the treatise would
be most authoritative"
There wouldn't be any treatise if I
did that. You all say so much the
same sort of foolishness,', my lady
came back at him., with just the least
toss Of her head.
NV lady Of course had 8 name, pref
ty one-Elinor Clare Only strangers
and the older people ever called her
Elinor. Somehow. at school she had
been rechristened my. lady, and my
lady she was likely to be to the end of
the chapter.
A very pretty girl, with money to
her name and much more money in
prospect, withal sprightly and good
hearted, she was easily the belle of
the countryside. She had had beaus,
indeed, before she was out of short
froclzs. One of Them who as tall
lad had carried her on his shoulder
and Graded her asleep in his arms,
was still constant, Notwithstanding he
was thrice eligible, and the kindest,
most unsuspicious soul alive.
Grierson had heard of him likewise.
Indeed, Philip Darcy, the constant one,
"PhiPs the man you have got to
beat" Grandfather Grierson had said
in explaining the situation.
Grandfather liked my lady, but not
nearly so we'll as he did her posses
sions. Therefore he had sent impera-
lively for Arthur, his grandson, and
hidden him as imperatively court the
girl and marry her.
Grandfather's was moneyed avarice,
therefore the more eager. He had
piled up a fortune and held on to it
like grim death. Because his only
son liked to spend money even better
than to make it the old man excused
his clutching-at least to himself.
Since that young gadabout Arthur
had no knack of making money, being
worse III that respect than his father,
1t was but right he should marry it.
Grandfather Grierson said this over
and over, in SO many keys and lenses,
Arthur had been tempted to run away
before anything was begun. He would
have run away, indeed, but for catch
ing glimpse Of my lady. The glimpse
sensibly his estimate of grand paternal
wisdom.
Suppose we write the book togeth-
err" Grierson suggested valiantly. 81
can make myself understood on the
typewriter-can say any more than
that-but you-you have reams of wis
dom, I'm sure, all ready to your hand
Do take me as secretary. I promise
you shall find me willing and obliging
with no objection to long hours"
81 have a great objection to them. ]
couldn't stick at anything half day
unless it was to save my life,'' my
lady confded, adding gayly: 81 don't
believe you could either Confess
Don't you love to go and do the things
you didn't intend2"
simultaneously sometimes Grier
son said, smiling down at her. ''This
is one of them. 1 meant to ask con.
sideration as a possible husband, vel
see how you have reduced my soaring
ambitionw
My lady met this with look of wide
eyed innocence and said appealingly
''Can't you understand I'm not the sort
Of girl you have to talk love to? There
are so many other things better worth
talking about"
"For instance, Philip Darcy?" Grier
son said, with a keen glance.
My lady laughed joyously. "No, not
Philip" she said. 81 know him-al
about him-more and better than any
body can tell me. He would be saint
On earth if he were not SO much of g
man.
'H-m! The most part of saints
were men," Grierson supplemented
Then, most irrelevantly: "You have re-
:ieved my mind wonderfully. No girl
Of today can possibly love a saint. II
Is the weirdly wicked fellows who bowl
over our sweethearts-even now and
then our wives
Dear me! And you are not weirdly
wicked-just an ordinary. sinner my
lady interrupted, her eyes twinkling
merrily.