Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-01-05

easy little scratches on a card that he had
picked UP. Iettie poked the end of her
parasol in the sand and felt relieved that
he stayed where he was. He was not go
Ing to be silly.
He went on calmly enough, yet with
little nervous bitches between his words
that showed the listening girl that he felt
what he was saying.
You lay been such an inspiration to
me this summer VIII you not continue
TO be that? ant you learn to low met
Lettie. will you be my wife9"
or course she could not. and would not.
But he seemed so much In earnest that her
conscience gave her some painful twinges
as she told him so. She grew quite soft
hearted about il, and cried a little. think
ing a blow il must be to the poor
man.
But to her unspeakable establishment he
seemed rather relieved than otherwise at
her refusal, He tried manfully not TO
show 1t, but II was plain to be seen that he
had feared she would accept him and was
glad that she had not. She was puzzled
and Inclined TO be angry.
Miss Elarson," lie said, seeing her as
constituent, you have a right to be angry
with me. | must make a confession, and
h you will see that / do not deserve
even your friendship. I painted n picture
which | called The Wooing.' But the ex-
preston was not good; it was not real, AMI
l could not make ii so. Then / met you
and found your face just what / had been
longing for for my picture. / studied you
for that. l really got 10 thinking a great
deal OF you. you know. so 1t was not all a
pretense. But there is no excuse for me.
There, you know Ii ALL"
As ne finished speaking he tossed the
card into her lap. 1t was a cleverly accur-
ate sketch of what her face must rave
hnayn faRN n.YY AnHn,Nl uIA t,nAnnu
dashes were not from nervousness after
all. She locke at the man. His head was
In his hands, and his eyes bent OF the
ground, n most abject picture of humilia-
ton. She looked at the card again
and thought how completely she had been
duped. She need not pity him, at all
events. Then the righteousness of II all
struck her. and she burst into a hearty
laugh. 1t was Mr.. Whitney's turn to won
II don't see anything funny in It." ne
said. gloomily.
You have confessed very frankly, Mr..
Whitney. / shall ave to confess now,
though / did not intend to. You do not
owe me anything for this"
What can you mean?"
II mean that / write stories and cop
my heroes and their pretty sayings from
life when l can. / have found you a very
obliging model"
You mean" he said, with rising anger,
that you deliberately led me on to make
love to you so the public might have the
benefit of it?'
Il didn't lead you on, and you know II.
Mr.. Whitney, l simply let you. You wanted
me for you picture
True" he said. a smile taking the place
of the show of temper in his eyes.
II think we're even," Lettie said, holding
out the card. Use your sketch. am sure
| am very grateful for the help you nave
given me-"
And you really do not mind my using
this?" he asked.
mot I'm the least sho answered, smil-
ing.
Then followed half ah hours animated
discussion of the story aud picture before
they went back to the house.
Mrs. Lands was still o. the lawn when
her niece and Mr.. Whitney returned. The
glance that passed between the two young
people as they separated at the steps told
that astute lady that they knew something
which the world did not. She followed
Lettie to her room.
MY dear" she said, kissing her, ''you
need not tell me a word. / have eyes, and
l have seen it all along. I see by your face
that 1t L. all settled
Yes, Aun Kate said Lettie. looking
dow demurely and trying not to laugh,
lit II all settled"