Gilpin observer., 1907-12-26

doesn't question the holel bill nor ask
the price of the wine, because he
doesn't intend to pay it anyway. The
fellow who is prodigal with his VOWS
and promises and poetry is generally
the one to whom such things mean
nothing and. being of no value, can
be flung about generously to every
girl he meets. The firm with the big
Hest front office is likely to be the
one with the smallest deposit in the
safe. The man who swears OF loud
est on New Years is usually the one
they have to carry home the morning
after. And the chap who promises a
girl life Of roses Is the one who will
let her pick all the thorns of for her
SELF"
Perhaps" sighed the widow, chew.
ing the stem Of violet thoughtfully,
"the best way to cure man of q
taste for anything, after all, is to let
him have too much of 1t instead of
making him swear of. If you want
him to hate the smell of pipe insist
on his smoking all the time. II you
want him to sign the temperance
pledge, serve him wine with every
course. II you want him to hate a
woman, invite her to meet him every
time he calls, and tell him how 'suita-
BILE she would be-"
"And II you want him to love you,"
finished the bachelor, don't ask him
to swear it, but tell him that he really
ought not to. The best way to man
age a donkey-human or otherwise
is to turn his head in the wrong d.
rection and he'll back In the right
one."
Then" said the widow decisively,
we ought to begin the New Year by
making some irresolutions."
Somewhat"
Vows that we won't stop doing the
things we ought not to do" explained
the widow.
"All right" agreed the bachelor
thoughtfully, "I'll make an irresolu-
ton to go on making love to you as
much as like"
you mean. as much as l like, Mr..
Travers," corrected the widow Sc
verely.
How much do you like?" asked the
bachelor, leaning over to look into
the widows eyes.
The widow kicked the corner of the
rug tentatively.
Il Iike-all but the proposing" she
said slowly. You really ought to
stop that"
I'm going to stop it-to-night."
The widow looked up in alarm.
"Oh, you don't have to commence
keeping your resolutions until to-
morrow morning." she said quickly.
And are you going to stop refusing
me-to-night," continued the bachelor
firmly.
The widow studied the corner Of
the rug with great concern.
And" went on the bachelor, TAX
ing something from his pocket and
toying with 1t thoughtfully, you are
going to put on this ring"-he leaned
over, caught the widows hand and
slipped the glittering thing on her
third finger. Now" he began, you
are going to say that you will
The widow sprang up suddenly.
"Oh, don't, don't, don't!" she cried.
"In a moment we'll me making prom
ises!"
I'VE don't need to-" said the bache-
lor, leaning back nonchalantly, I'VE
can begin by making-arrangemen
Would you prefer to live in town or
at Tuxedo? And do you think Europe
or Bermuda the best place for the"
Bermuda. by all MEANS" broke in
the widow, "and l wish you'd have
that hideous portico taken OF your
town house, Billy, and" But the
rest Of her words were smothered in
the bachelors coat lapel-and some
thing else.
Then you do mean to marry me
after ALI" cried the bachelor tri
umphantly.
The widow gasped for breath and
patted her hair anxiously.
II meant to marry you all the
time" she cried, "but never thought
you we're really in earnest and"
"Methinks," quoted the bachelor
happily, that neither OF us did pro
test too much We haven't made any
promises, you know"
Not one." rejoined the widow
promptly, "as to my flirting"
Nor as to my clubs"
Nor as to my relatives"
Nor my cigars"
And we won't make any VOWS" ;"
cried the widow, except marriage
vows"
And New Years irresolutions," !"
added the bachelor.
''Listen!" cried the widow softly,
with her fingers on her lips.
A peal of a thousand silver bells
rang out on the midnight air.
"The chimes!" exclaimed the wild.
nv "Thov'ro fn1l 0f nrOmiaaa -