The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-01-03

amazed at her action. She had been
In the city for eight months, and in all
that time not nee had she accepted
any Of the numerous offers of enter.
tainment. She liked Blaisdell better
than any OF the others in the house.
There was something fresh and whole
some about him, very different from
the assumed sophistication of most of
the men. He was past thirty, and Il
bald patch OIL the back of his head
was already beginning to be in evil
dence, but he was still a boy at heart.
and from the first Blanche had been
attracted to him.
The dinner was all that Blaisdell had
promised. A New England girl who
had sought to make her way in the
city had persuaded her mother to come
OF and start a restaurant. Two floors
In a good neighborhood were simply
fitted up, and much of the New Eng
land atmosphere was preserved-ex-
cept In the prices.
The rooms were crowded today, but
Blaisdell had reserved a table, and
Blanche thoroughly enjoyed a dinner
that was so unlike the fare at the
boarding house.
II come yer here very Often" ex-
planned Blaisdell when at last the cof-
fee and mince and pumpkin pies were
served. ''It's as near as a bachelor
can get to home here in the city"
"It does taste like home," asserted
Blanche. II grow SO tired of Mrs. Cas-
tleton's weekly routine"
"You will have to come here often
then" said Blaisdell promptly. cit
would be all the more pleasant for
company. It's lonesome eating alone"
II think it is more dreary to eat with
a whole roomful of people with whom
you have so little in common" said
Blanche, with a sigh.
"It is SO much more lonesome in the
city with all the people you don't know
than in the country where there are so
few people whom you do know"
81 don't think that we are cut out
for city folk" agreed Blaisdell, with a
laugh. Lets get over to the park
for a little walk before the theater."
You are going to the theater?" ask
ed Blanche.
1--WE are going to the theater," he
corrected. Surely you do not want
to spend the evening in Mrs. Castle
TONS stuffy parlor?"
"Heaven forbid!" cried Blanche.
but you don't know what a treat it
will be-"
Blaisdell looked as though perhaps
he might guess. He knew that she did
not go out in the evenings, and he
knew what a hall bedroom was like.
but he only smiled as he led the way
to the cashiers desk.
1t was late when they finally stood
ON the steps of the boarding house and
Blanche gave a little sigh of content
'nent.
lit has been Il perfect day" she said,
instead OF Il most miserable one. ]
don't know how to thank you enough"
81 am the Il to- give thanks said
BlaisdeTl, With Il laugh. Look here;
it's only fair to tell you that I'm going
to try my hardest to make you Mrs.
BlaisdeI! before next Thanksgiving.
This is not a proposal. 1t would not
be polite to propose to you so soon, but
I want you to know that I'm going to
90 my best to win you before another
year passes.'
Blanche wondered that her heart
should beat so rapidly at the frank
speech. She liked Blaisdcll the better
for his honesty, and for an instant her
hand lay over the muscular one that
was inserting the key in the lock.
cit will not be very hard" she whis-
pered. "Have you not enrolled me in
the Society For Making People Thank
ful?"