The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-08-10
ALL A MISTAKE.
BY Frank A. Myers.

"You will trust me now:''
you've only taken back your word.
I'm sure, but not the motive that
prompted you to offer your friendship.
You do it for policy's sake-the worst
thing Of all: You wish to stand we'll
in my opinion. Your action has low
cred yourself"
why do wish to stand well In
your opinion-desire your good Will"
Il don't know. Foolish to ask. You
know
rs it because i've no regard for
your good oplnion?"
AS like as not"
you're wrong. I wish your good
opinion. Have got IT."
He knew he had not lowered htm-
self in her estimation, despite her plain
words. - 8:
Il hold no i'll will toward anyone"
THAT don't answer my question.
Ill will is one thing, and good opinion
Is quite another" =:
"You want to argue the point, I see,
against wish or2feeling," she said in
a gay mood that was void Of offense.
Mel shifted on his seat uneasily, II
not nervously, and gazed at the light
with an aimless stare. Unconsclously
he run his fingers through his hair
and leaned back. He felt like a man
held up by the cuff Of the neck, who
could only dangle his feet In the move
less air swing his arms In unavailing
resistance.
Il guess I d." he said at length.
Don't you want it SOP"
want what?"
THE argument"
1--WE not said didn't
Then what did you say%"
THAT you wanted to argue the
point"
What did you mean by that?'
Must diagram my jokes for your
I'D rather you would"
II gave you credit for more sense"
You overest1mated me-"
II believe you."
Il sometimes tell the truth"
Intentionally? half inquiringly.
1T could do you, no good to know"
You don't know. But why would
mt it,"
"You don't care enough ito know"
he said.
Again you're off,
You're not interested enough in one
not your friend to find out anything
about him."
You don't mean .that-you can't.
| How can you? I'm blessed with some
| degree Of curiosity, and I'm always In
terested in the study of animals"
Quite complimentary, 50 mixed in
his feelings that he did not know him.
self. She burst out into a. great
laugh, and he was not sure that he
appreciated either. the joke or the
laugh. He was uncomfortable and
restless; She Seemed to. say. things
! and then unsay them-lead hin: on and
then knock himaAway. What did she
mean? That might be nice, but he
couldn't see it that way. She was the
funniest girl he ever saw.
That's why I don't want friends;
you can say what you please to them
You're not under any obligation to be
everlastingly saying soft things tt
Them" She spoke seriously now, and
Mel felt it.. All his tumbled-up emo
lions were at once laid aside.
| May I be so bold as to ashland
will you be so condescending as tt
! answer what sort Of Teller you dc
like, admire, love, or-hate?''
| you can ask It,"
well, then consider it asked"
! You, for instance" she answered
purposely holding her eyes on her ma
! rocco-tipped shoes that barely peeped
out from her dress. Her frolicksome
humor was too plain to be mistaken
and Mel broke into a heavy laugh.
That's richness for you," he said
| mot for me but for you"
Then you're off,"
you say So"
! "And If say so 1T is so.''
| Perhaps"
| Maybe If I said I'm more than a
plain friend to you, you'd believe me-
"Probably."
II am
Il don't dispute it."
TITS a wonder"
Dare you say so-and to my facet
where should I>say it?"
| Nowhere" in pretended anger.
SOL" In pretended surprise.