The Washington herald., 1908-02-23
HIS COURSE IN LOVE
By LULU JOHNSON.

On the whole. Treadway thought II
rather nice Of him TO be willing 10 marry
Marion Hitesman lie was possessed Of
an income OF half million year-the
income from his mothers estate-and
when his father died-welI. it required
the services Of two men to keep track of
the Treadway investments.
Marion was dainty little country
woman. but she would need lot OF So
cial training, of course Perhaps year
in a finishing school might be "A good
thing TO Mt her for the place in society
she was destined to fill. 1t might be a
| bother 10 wait a year before marriage,
though. so on second thoughts perhaps
"A social secretary would be a better plan.
Treadway decided upon the social secre-
tary as the lesser Of two necessary evils.
Marion Hltesman was only a little
country girl. the belle of Wichheld. a viii
lage of few thousand persons. Tread
way had been forced 10 stop over there
| for repairs TO his automobile. and before
these were made he had seen Marion.
After that the automobile was called
/ upon only for little trips TO nearby points
Of interest. and Treadway paid his easy
going court 10 the girl.
| Perkins, his fathers lawyer, made his
summer home in Wichheld. and the in
! PRODUCTION WAS easily accomplished. but
TreadWay found courtship according 10
Wichheld notions rather complicated.
In town. he would have left a standing
order with the florist and confectiouer
There would have been an occasional
motor excursion and finally proposal of
marriage IN the conservatory at some
ones dance and n note in the society
columns OF the papers.
Here it was all different. and. while he
enjoyed the novelty of Il. he found II
rather awkward at times. In town.
mammas with marriageabie daughters
were willing 70 do more than half the
courtship for him. Here he found him
self on the same level OF equality in the
Hitesman home as Ben Taylor. who
clerl1ed in Luscombs grocery.
Even this fact did not serve to warn
him, however. and his declaration was
entirely characteristic The two were re-
turning from Il ride into the country A
score of couples had gone out TO the
home Of a farmer host and the road was
dotted with buggies. AT MaTion's COM
mand, Treadway had net thrown on
speer 10 outstrip the others as he usual
ly did. and the car rolled along as quietly
as though ii were under the observation
of string OF traffic police
Marion, leaning back against the up
holstered cushions, gave a Injurious lit
tie sigh.
Il love automobling." she said, when
the car does not run too fast"
You shall have an automobile for your
own he promised. when we are mar
ried.''
Are we 10 be married." she asked.
with touch Of coldness in her voice.
L hope so. was the prompt reply
I've got lot OF money. and IN time
shall have a lot more. I can give YOU
everything you want and introduce you
into society. OF course. you'll have to
coach up a little. but you'll make it all
right. Is il a go?''
mo. thank YOU said Marion very
quietly L admit that the proposition
you make is glittering in the extreme
but I must decline
Decline" he gasped in ANA cement.
why, 1 know a hundred girls in New
York who would just Jump at the
chance"
In that case was the quiet retort.
II shall omit the customary expressions
Of regret. No doubt you will find quick
consolation"
Treadway was too stunned to argue.
He busted himself with the steering
wheel until the big black car drew I'D in
front of the Titesman home. He helped
her out and opened the gate for her.
1t is good-by as well as good night"
he said as she held out her hand. 7
shall be gone in the morning"
She stammered something he could not
catch and hurried up the walk TO the
house. Treadway watched her wistfully
until the door closed behind her. then he
went away carrying in his heart the
memory of a slender figure sThouetted
against the light from the open door.
In the early dawn the big touring car
slipped down the dusty road. There was
the usual gossip. and then INichfield for
got Treadway in the excitement OF a
revival meeting at which a famous evan
gelist eXhorted. But Treadway did not
forget. even though he put the width OF
the Atlantic between himself and the
little town where he had met defeat. He
awadled in London and loafed miser-
ably in Paris. but he could not forget |
the girl with the big brown eyes. and he |
was glad when at last he turned his steps |
hOmeward.
The summer had passed. but the brisk
autumnal airs made touring a delight 1
and presently, for a second time, the big /
black car rolled into Wichield Perkins. /
the Treadway lawyer. had closed his ]
house and gone back to town, but there /
was an excellent hotel. and presently 1
Treadway found himself installed in a /
comfortable room. Once settled he sal
lied forth to find Marion.
She was not at home. they told him al
at the house. but Mrs. Hitesman added
minute directions by which he found the
patch OF woods where Marion had gone
in search of nuts.
Evidently her nutting was but an ex-
cuse for d walk in the woods, for he