The daily Alaskan., 1906-11-08
SPRING HATS
LOTlEiral l


 didn't know al the time that it was of any importance whatever. had put Dick of from one date to another In the matter of our wedding. aud he was becoming importunate. He said he couldn't settle down to anything i'll We We're married and once more in the humdrum of life. The humdrum of life! l was bound that if he pro posed a humdrum married condition for Us I did not. But I said nothing 10 him of my intention I did not ap- pear 10 notice the objectionable word. simply told him that a rousseau was essential to a bride and rousseau would require months to procure. Then. with malice prepeuSe. l remarked that the style of spring hats was not becom- ing 10 me and l might decide on that account to wait till autumn. l said this with such uaruralueSS that he believed me and knit his brow. When he left ny common sense told me that had gone too far with him. But had no fear. He had tried so hard to get me that there seemed little chance Of his giving nc up for d tride.
 One evening in June was sitting on the p,azza steps. The air was delicious ly balmy. and It was the season for dredies. The children on the lawn be meath me were dtrting hither and thith- CT. laughing and shouting as they tried 10 catch the lightning bugs" graSpiug at a Hash. then turning on seeing an other in a new direction. I heard the gate. which was behind a clump of low trees where couldn't see it. shut with a click and d quick step coming up the winding walk. I recognized Dicks step and knew by # that he had some thing of importance for me.
 Alas. that he came at such time! When children arc naughty we tell them that a bad spirit has got into them. A bad spirit had certainly got into me. The sweet scene before me. Instead of making we plastic. hardened me We are unconscious Of the causes of our moods. but causes are always there Perhaps in ny case the hum drum of life" grated upon this first bloom of summer. AT any rate, when DicS reached roe l was sJeeled against persuasion.
 Beatrice" le sad. we must be mar ried al once
 That with ne is impossible" re piled
 "Iupu>s.J.ee T1.-e IS uo such word"
 How would I will not suit you:"
 Much better. There IS something ir that. D r1y o-ner yhc-e Is nothing"
 Ills lone wa, v-' ot irritation. and it had ,4g san. e@ect on me. "TU glad I've tou"I woyls to suit you" l remarked roii.y
 See arre. Beatrice with Dick See here" always preceded something dis. agreeable, ...s you .a,eud 10 marry me there ar- rra~gn~ very good reasons why you should d., so at OnCe-that Is, within 8 week. The world treats us seriously and wlI not always walt for US. Al least l cant make a success of 1t and indulge your whimS What do you say Jo.'-
 If you are in such hurry for the humdrum ot l,s- an uot. Aud as for wL.mS. marriage iS loo serious an aEal- for us 10 m.ngle whims with our decisions. l will not marry now because 1 have not made up my mind"
 oh. you have uot male up your mind. Well. l have made up mine. Goodby. If you make t up before Saturday next. write u". After that it will be too laJe"
 h another moment l heard the gate click and his footsteps rapidly growing less distinct.
 The gate doesn't click now; I per suaded father 10 take it od It's hinges. I couldn't endure to hear It. I spent a week struggling with my pride, for Dicks -esolute manner had told me that he was iu earnest. But I could not conquer 1t. The week expired. wrote him as though nothing had hap peneL between Us. addressing him at hls lodgings in the city aS usual
 That's two years ago, and since that time | have never had a letter from Dick. ! have known that about the date of our break h. went to Mexico to establish some agency or other. Three months after his departure my letter to him came back to me from the dead letter office [ didn't write another. Dick had not given me hls address. Besides. he had told me aft CT that 1t will be too late" For two long years I wished the dead heart office" would send me back mine.
 And now, the second June after Dicks departure. We are sitting on the steps watching the children chase the freales. heard step on the walk and knew It was bis. The first thing be said - be had to say something - was.
 whats become of the gateT'
 Father took it away because 1t was s,,,L o ,,ofsv O0e " God forgive the lieI