Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-07-02


around to find out whether you shall
make a hit talking books. theaters or
machinery to a new man. At the same
stage out here he Is telling you about
the several girls who have individually
wrecked his life and broken his heart
and how glad he Is you are SO differ
ent.
forgotten each others last names and
he is reading you letter from his sis
ter with news about all the home folks
and you are advising him about the
color of his neckties.
This little system explains why
Reddington Smith and CHANGED to be
sitting In secluded corner while he
smoked cigar and finished lecturing
me.
Mind, I'm not saying word
against White he ended, only /
wouldn't talk with him much, II were
you.
Strange murmured That's
Just what he told me about you this
afternoon. Why, really, had no idea
you two were so very much alike
I'm no more like White than you
are!' sputtered Reddington. L think 1t
very inconsiderate Of you the minute
my back Is turned to go walking with
him In the park. OF course you did
Il saw you when you came In. Such
upsetting little things are frightfully
bad for my weak heart, and l had al
ways thought you sympathetic. Now,
the last girl who proposed to me-
"I haven't done 1t yet / gently re-
minded him.
"'Oh, but you WILL Reddington
said, amiably. They all do. It's the
custom nowadays. / hope you aren't
so old-fashioned as still to fancy that
men do the heavy work in the pro-
posal line! AS l was saying, the last
girl led me on to think that / was all
the solar system to her and then just
as had begun to get reconciled to the
idea Of seeing her across the breakfast
table every day in the year what did
she do but marry another man! 1t is
things like that which imbitter a fell
lows life!'
"'Yet nothing could really quench
your sweetness of spirit, Reddy,' l re-
minded him.
Look out he warned. You'll be
doing 1t next! Say, 1 kind OF wonder
how you would go at 1t. You see,
you're so different
p" suppose | do have to practice on
some one,' l agreed. I tell you what
Ill propose to you II you'll agree to
refuse me. AS much as l like you /
couldn't stand any Joyful acceptance.
Only you must give me time
It's fieeting,' he protested. But
take all the time you want. When will
you? You haven't the nerve!'
1.-The blow will fall when you least
expect it. l told him.
81 dare YOU he said. If say yes
and you back out I'll sue you for
breach of promise!'
1T might turn out worse even than
that for YOU l told him. L might be
revengeful enough to marry you
Any old time,' he said, and then
sighed reflectively. L wish you would
he added.
"'You are getting ahead of your
cue, / reminded him. You can't do a
thing but sit patiently and wait for me
to ask you. 1t Is nothing short OF for
ward and presumptuous for a we'll
brought-up young man even to show
the ghost of an inclination before the
girl has signified her preference
81 wish you would hurry up he OBJ
jected. 1t is cowardly to bluff!'
Now asked, nodding toward
group Of persons who were approach
ing us.
'Reddington glanced at them and
Strengthened up trifie as he saw old
Mrs Jones, who is the eagle eye of
the hotel; her side partner, Miss Lang,
and the fuffy-haired young person
with no rs In her vocabulary, whom
Reddington has been striving to i'm
press of late. They stopped by us and
/ smiled In a kindly way at Redding-
ton, who quailed at once
You haven't answered me- said
to him in distinct and fervent tones.