St. Tammany farmer., 1906-06-02
It was the usual thing

Win IL. l TOLD MIN that the editor
said 1t was too crude, and he agreed.
was offended, and I expect he
saw it, for he went on as quickly aa
possible to explain what he meant.
He said a great deal, but - far 10
I can remember the meaning of it 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
I ought to try to improve.
Did you ever hear anything so silly? ?
How could I gain experience in day
or two? Who was there to help met
told Mr.. Kingswell what / thought
of his idea. OF course it would be
useful, but impracticable. 81
I always knew he was q fine chum.
I had known him for ever SO many
years, but I think he was just trump
for what he suggested. It was that
he should be my lover for fort
night, so that might see how a man
would act IL he loved somebody.
Since he didn't mind the trouble. l
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.
It was about his last book. read
it. There was such q nice girl in 1t,
about like me should think. won
dered If she pretended to be his very
dear friend while he wrote the book.
It wasn't a nice idea somehow.
Next day Mr.. Kingswel wrote mo
a little note asking me to go skating
with him that afternoon On the lake.
went, and did enjoy myself i'm
mensely. He looked after me and
talked SO nicely that I was sorry
when he had to 30 back to dinner.
Dad was laughing when he met us In
the hall. / didn't see why, for |
hadn't told him about our plan, and
/ didn't seem to want to; but sud.
denly he kissed me and went OF 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 I knew his visits were really
mine it was delightful. l had love-
ly time and the days just flew by.
The fortnight began to draw to the
end. I counted the days as they
passed. l couldn't help thinking how
I should miss lover. For he was q
splendid actor; anyone would think
he really meant it.
l remember once We went Tor q
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. I can't tell how it happened,
but the next minute Mr.. Kingswell was
lifting me up all covered with road
dust whilst dad was anxfously en-.
treating me to tell him If were hurt.
I 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 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 II 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. took my violin
and tried to play-but couldn't, I was
too lonely. So just cuddled up on
the big settle and tried not to- cry.
Some one came In. ! thought 1t was
dad until I looked up and saw-Mr.
Kingswell.
He looked so stern, wondered what
was the matter till I remembered the
fortnight was really over now, and Of
course he would 60 back to being just
dads friend.", didn't know there
was such a difference wished I had
never learned. Everything seemed
miserable now; and really our expert
ment would not be of much use. for I
vowed would never write about Mr..
Kingswell in a book would just re-
member him myself.
OF course the right thing for me to
do was to thank him for his kindness
in helping me, but I was afraid to.
He was looking at me SO unmerciful-
ly, indeed. that daren't try, especial
" as knew my voice would be sure
to shiver as If had just been crying
and of course I hadn't. So just
waited and longed for dad to come in
till at last he spoke.
"And 80 our. acting Is over. Mar
jory?"
It was the first time he had called
me that. and liked to hear It. I
couldn't think OF anything to say, and
neither did he for a moment; then he
said quite suddenly:
"You think me good actor. don't
you? Observation-Disclosures was real!"
I found my voice and gasped out:
"Oh! am SO glad"
But I hadn't time for any more, for
Mr.. Kingswell was only little way
from me. and he takes such big
strides! 49,
Open Thine Eyes.
Open thine eyes, love, smile on the morn:
Reach, for my hand. love, ask for kiss.
Here isyour doll. love. speak to her. dear