Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-07-26
TAKEN AT
HER WORD
By JOANNA SINGLE
Copyright, IsO5, by E. Q. PARCELS

N Copyright, 1905, by f. c. PARCELS n
John Mason did not slam the gate
simply because he knew that this mani
feStatlOn Of rage would surely delight
ROsalc. She was watching his depar-
turc from the window, and he was an
grlly conscious that she knew he
would. rs usual return in n few days,
although she had said she hoped she
would be rid of him for awhile. She
was so young and so beautiful so
provoking!
At the entrance to the little park, al
ready growing green In the April sun,
he met her sister. He did not know
Anne very well-he had been too busy
with Rosalie lie wished now that he
had made friends with her; her blue
eyes were 50 like and still so unlike
Rosalle's. Anne stepped in front of
him and stopped him unceremoniously.
Been trampled upon again" she OBJ
served. John Mason, for 50 clever a
man generally you're sometimes an
awful - fool" She submitted this
thouchfully, in a voice too gentle to be
insulting.
Then you and ROsalie are agreed,
and l suppose you are expert testi-
mony. May | turn and walk with
youf"
She nodded and then asked a matter
of fact question. How many times
has she refused you"
Il had not thought to keep count.
Rosalie just now Informed me that this
was the last time. | didn't know | had
been the same sort of a-fool 50 often.
But don't you think she ought to give
me credit for my persistenceI Not ev-
cry man proposes so many ttmes-to
the same girl"
Anne laughed dryly as he continued
Il would have given up long ago II
| were not uncXplainably sure that she
does-care for me. In fact, she never
has said directly that she does not. She
simply says she won't marry me.
What's the matter with me? Am l too
rich? | can give away the stuff If she
likes. Am | too successful? | might
lose a case 10 please her. Should | be
as ugly rs Satan? Perhaps she would
like Beauty and the Beast effect!
What does she want? I've said and
done everything under heaven, and she
walks on me She trails mel'
"Prccisely. That's why l called you
what | did \ girl likes TO tran
man. but hates the man that will be
trailcd Not logical, is itf To use her
underfoot You give her no time to
want you or miss you or think about
you. She's too sure of you. She
knows just where you'll be. You never
let her want anything bad enough to
appreciate it. when it comes. She has
always had her own way She needs to
be a bit afraid of you. She needs to be
buIlied."
He frowned. Il am not brute. That
IS not nv way"
no: Wen. what has your way &C
complshcdE"
He tried TO laugh. "Oh, I'll take your
advice. I'll do anything you say. II
can't be worse than it is now"
well. | hat, the responsibility. II
you get her you'll fight; if you don't,
you'll both be miserable anyhow. You
must yet her and then work out your
own salvation I'm the first place, you
must give hcr Il shock. Write her
note and accspt your dismissal. Tell
her you begin TO see that she is right
and that You wish to be friendly with
her and The family Then call some
times on tho father or on me. Don't
stay away absences of that sort are
nattering; you must be quite unaffect-
ed by her presence.
You know, that is impossible. You
know how tn" sight of her
you've got TO do it, And you must
take another Ilrl out occasionally. Be
lng naturall modest. dislike To sug-
geSt that you send me flowers some
times and ,sme for a walk with me.
That will bong things home to her. A
girl hates tn have an a3mirer transfer
himself hoc.Iy to any one. but espe-
cially to her sister"
When they had planned their cam
pai@n and ne left Anne ut the gate
she had HIM laughing. Rosalie saw
them and shrugged her shoulders.
While rem uyIng her hat in the hall
Anne remarked to her sister:
We'll dear, John tells me that you
have dismissed him for good. You
know never would have interfered If
you had wanted him, but | am glad
you do not. Now you may find time
for your music Your talent Is too
marked to be neglected 1t will be a
relief for you to have him out of the
way awhile You're too young to leave
father and me, and, after all, | think
you're right about his not being the
right man for you"
Rusalle shrugged her shoulders.
Tie next day ROsalie, without com
ment. handed Anne this note:
Dear Miss Carleton-I want to thank
you for your frankness Of yesterday, ana
| assure you that / shall not annoy you
again as | have III the past. Can you for
piy. mo for having troubled YOU so much