The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1907-03-06
'Cbe Great
Unknown
-. BY.
Martha McCuIloch.Wi Williams
Copyright, 1905, by Ruby Douglas

deep.
Her suitor Calvin Burrows, ESQ.
laughed heartily.
Don't you think you'd accept me il
1 got myself made over into Christ
mas card?" he asked, his eyes twin
king.
Nora turned her back to him.
"Some people are pigs for obstinacy-
yes, pigs-and binder than moles into
the bargain. They never can see when
their room is better than their com
pany."
Dear me! How distressingy' Bur
rows said equally. He had notion
that he had brought Nora up, and sc
knew everything about her. 81 know
whom you mean," he ran on. Its that
tiresome ninny Jimmy Dolan. Next
time he comes and tries to wear out
his welcome you have Hannah blow
the horn for me-"
Nora laughed in spite of herself.
Jimmy Dolan is never tiresome. He
knows things to talk about-news and
funny things-and even books. You sit
mum-chance half the time. When a
man has nothing to talk about, don't
you think he had better go homer
"And leave the prettiest little girl in
the county all by her lonesome? Not
much" Burrows said, reaching toward
his pipe pocket.
Nora eyed him with fresh disdain
You're regular chimney" she said.
"What is the saying about smoking
chimneys?
"Oh, it goes on to mention scolding
wivesw Burrows interrupted. He had
by this time filed the pipe and was
crowding the tobacco well down in
the bowl When it was packed to suit
him he lit it, puffed once or twice,
then stood up, faced the door and
said: II shall have the paper with the
birds put on the parlor, Nora, and that
pink Powered pattern in the halls.
think that's what you said you'd like
best?" pausing with his hand on the
knob, his lids downcast, but yelled
twinkle behind them.
you know l said no such thing. If
you SO StAu DlN lIlOSc ldSSy SlcCA
birds, I'll never set foot in your new
house-not while they're on the walls"
Nora burst out. And pink roses in a
hall! My heavens! That's just like a
man. It's nothing to me-nothing in
the world-but l do hate to see good
money wasted, so I'm going with you
to town and pick out something de-
cent
I'm obliged to you; so will my wife
be-" Burrows said civilly, turning back
to her He had the look of one pom
dering a new and strange idea, but
came out of his daze quickly and said
with a good humored smile: mora,
I've thought all along you were in fun;
that after awhile you'd agree with me;
that you might as well take me. But
today you've shown me better. l don't
deny it hurts to admit it, but then I'm
not the sort to whine. So let's make
bargain, right here and now-you
help me fix my house up SO any other
girl will be glad to take me for it,
and I'll do my very best to bring Aunt
Rena round about Jimmy DOlan. jim
my is not such d bad sort. The worst
that can be said is that there isn't
much to him. That won't matter in
the least seeing he has money enough
to insure rations for two. You-any
girl-might do lot worse than to take
him"
"Why, you've said many time the
reason he was no worse was that he
hadn't sense enough" Nora broke in.
Burrows gave her a quick look, but
went on steadily: Maybe 1 did; but,
then, you must allow something for
jealousy. l was Jealous of Jimmy, but
l am not any more The case stands
just thus: You won't have me, not for
anything l can say or do or be, and
wife Pm bound to have. It's dead
lonesome living on big place in new
house all by yourself. But have got
to get out of living by myself, and you
must help me. Women know each 9TH
er as men never can. Tomorrow morn
ing I'll come over bright and early,
and as we drive to town you can tell
me who is worth having and where is
my best chance"
Nora stared at him, hard. In all her
life Burrows had never made half
so long a speech to her. After he went
she was quiet for full hour. She had
leased and tyrannized over and fouted
him so long, so merrily, it gave her a
start to think the occupation was soon
to be definitely gone. By way of get
ting over the shock she ran to her
room and spent the interval before
supper in trying on her prettiest frocks
and combing her hair three ways. She
wound up by choosing blue linen,
two years old, yet Burrows especial
admiration. She also decided to wear
her hair loosely waved about her face.
Burrows had said it was sin to
strain it back in a set pompadour.
Naturally when she stepped into his
buggy she was a vision of delight--at
least to his unworthy yet rather pro-
sale eyes. s
But he did not tell her so. Indeed,
the conversation was for the first mile
or two decidedly fragmentary Then
there fell absolute silence while the
black span went slapping pace over
a long level stretch. 1t ended at a
sharp rise. Burrows refined in as they
came to it and spoke to the horses in a
soft regretful voice 'They know
who's behind them most as well as I
do he said to Nora. Poor lassies!
To think they'll soon have to be taking
some one else to town. ~,
"Who?" Nora said GROSSLY. "Of course
you know. That was all make be-
lieve, your wanting me or wanting me
TO tell you things. You wouldn't heed
a word I'd say. l know men-oh.
whole lot better than they know them
selvesr'
mo doubt. That's a woman's priv
llege," Burrows said, smiling. "But |
really have not made up my mind.
There are six girls, any of whom would
do mighty well. Trouble is-will any
Of the six have me? l doubt it."
81 don't, not the least. Girls are