Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-03-19
Trainins Him.

Training Him.
"Whst You need" said the younger
MIN Rodman to the big young man VINO
iouueed on the rail, sis . thorough
course Of sprouts. You can't expect 70
Win Mans heart with flve-pound boxes
Of candy and expensive flowers Alone"
az imagine Am tri1e-er-raw 20
these things," said Hicks, smiling n the
earnest face before him.
Il was an attractive face, full Of pretty
dimples and prone to flash upon you
some surprising expression you nso
never dreamed could be 20 enhancing.
81 an rather faint.hearted courtier,
I'll admit" he added with an easy laugh.
".You are, that's true" said Miss Rod
man. "Girls-especially girls like Man
admire aggressiveness 10 men. You are
Altogether too passive. It fairly made
my blood boil the way you let that pre-
sumptuous young Williams take Nan
from you for q drive just now. What
made you let her gos" she asked sud-
denly. -,
any dear Miss Rodman," said be, II
am not Mans keeper. What right had !
to say whether she should 60 or stay?"
"Act ~ II you had the right, anyway"
she advised.
Hicks laughed. 49,,
'I'm afraid Of the consequences II !
did," said he. "You see ell those years
when dwelt at the mines with only tho
society of half-breeds and Greasers have
/ done their full work. In the society OF
such women as your sister I'm ss BASH
full a. q school boy"
She looked at him, and frank smile
curved the corners Of her mouth.
"I'll help you," she said. III you
were like the other men here I'd never
offer my services; but you're 30 big and
good natured and so helpless. I'll take
pity on you"
IThanks," he said. II need help
badly. What do you intend to doP"
educate you," she said, ''or educate
the fear of women out Of you. believe
I'm the only girl here you're not afraid
tof."
"May I ask for some hints as to your
methodist he said.
"I'll serve as a dummy and instructor
10 one," she explained. "You must de-
vote two weeks to me. Begin as II you
had Just met me; take me driving and to
the dances and all that sort of thing. In
lshort, make love to me and finally pro.
pose. I'll watch you carefully and give
you points. When you've taken your
diploma in this course strike out fol
Man."
Hicks Strengthened himself on the
veranda rail.
"I'm awfully grateful to you," be said
with conviction. otis no end kind OF
YOU to take this interest and trouble
When do we beginP"
mo time like the present." she laugh.
ed. "You may 60 down to the stable
and get the cab and take me for drive. "
"Look here" said Hicks, 'I'll do my
very best, and III try to get my lessons
thoroughly. III bring some candy along
too"
"Not yet" she said. "Thst will come
in the advanced lessons"
She watched him walk briskly dowr
the walk, and q bewildering smile
brought out all her dimples.
81 wouldn't have gone with Williami
liz I'd been Man." she said, pointedly. q,
, she went into the house to array herself
for the drive.
The next two weeks were busy one'
: for Hicks. He was devotion itself to thu
younger Miss Rodman. He took her Il
the Casino dances and sent her endles,
,, supplies of candy and flowers. They
drove together through the surrounding
country; they poked about the river II
, punt, and discovered all sorts of jolly
, retreats and quaint little lovers hooks.
The elder Miss Rodman looked on witt
condescending approval. She began t.
treat Hicks with sisterly frankness. Two
weeks earlier this would have made hin
extremely uneasy. Now he did not care
Hicks and his instructor were puntinf
on the river one afternoon. The CIR
looked up suddenly.
"You're coming on all right" sht
said, encouragingly. ~ didn't know
you could say such nice things as yor
have this afternoon"
"Neither did l." he said, with frank
ness that set them both laughing.
81 think" said she, "you've got about
!, all you can out of this course. There
fore, I'll give you your diploma, ane
you'd better begin on Nam"
"Just little longer" Hicks objected
3 ~ need more confidence yet"
, He looked at the girl quizzically, ant
, their eyes met-only for moment, fol
hers suddenly fell.
, stIf you like, then" she said, ant
+ laughed rather artificially.
3 Two evenings later they sat In quie
, corner OF the Casino veranda.
Through the open windows came thu
I dreamy notes of q waltz. Hicks Leaned
/ toward the girl and took one of he
) hands in his. In the moonlight he saw
r the tell-tale color creep into her checks
, "You haven't an idea what your In
struction has come to mean to me-" b
said, "But now I have learned what !
. means, I can't live without 1t. Yot
r must instruct me through life. l shan
I say will you marry me, but you mus
: marry me, Betty"
] She started, then laughed softly. "Oh
. yes, of course. the proposal" she said
, lightly. "I've no criticism 10 make; IT.
( we'll done. Only you must remember q
r the really critical time that my sister,
name IL Nan, not Betty"
"This is the critical time," said he
gravely, land you know I'm not rehears
ing. i've not given thought since tina
4 first ride OF ours. I've been in earnest
terribly in earnest, all the time. Dom
say you haven't been too"
She was silent.
, "Weren't you in earnest9" he asked ii
pleading tones.
Her eyes we're looking pensively, IA
D away, but her hand frightened about his
"Did you ever suppose / was kinder
garten for Mans suitors?" she asked
San Francisco Call.
!. GIVEN UP TO DIE.
b. Spiegel, 1904 N. Virginia st., Evans
l. ASaa