The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-07-24
LOVERS r US F.,
"And he has red hair

i FrFTaH1T4 ~ 49, -. ~ Ew
This was the way in which Bertha
Vernon always ended her objections to
marrying her cousin, Tom Manning.
which her parents and his were so
foolishly anxious to- accomplish-fdol-
tshly, we say, because if they had not
betrayed such anxiety, but had let the
young people come together naturally;
their hopes would have stood a fSir
chance of being realized. AS it, was,
1t seemed to be the very last thing
that was.likely to happen.
They had not met since they were
children and were not likely to while
left to their own devices, which GER
tainly were very fertile in contriving
to avoid everything that was likely to
bring them in contact.
Whenever Tom visited his Uncle YER
non, Bertha was sure to be impressed
with the idea that 1t was the most
fitting time for her to pay a long prom
tsed visit to some lady friend which
kept her out Of town so long as he
stayed.
And whenever Bertha visited her I'm
Gle Manning. Tom was equally as sure
to have some important business en-
gagement to call him out Of town while
she was at his fathers house.
Thus they continued to play at cross
p""sNses until the patience Of those
VINO had planned the match was near
ly exhausted.
And now to complicate matters and
make them still more ~discouraging a
rival had stepped into the field, a Mr..
Henry, a distant relative of the parish
clergyman, who had come to Green
vile to spend the summer months.
There seemed to be a strong attrac-
ton between the two the first time
they met, which r1pened in an incredi-
bly, short space Of time into the warm
est affection.
But Of this the parents of Bertha
were in blissful ignorance, they being
away on a visit to Toms father with
the avowed intention of bringing the
young man back with them, to Bertha's
great disgust, who c~onfdentally in
formed her lover, as Mr.. Henry now
was. that she had half a mind to run
away and not see him.
She then gave him a detailed account
of her grievance, together with her
many reasons for detesting Cousin
Tom, ending her decidedly uncompli-
mentary remarks, as usual, with:
"And he has red hair!'
Mr.. henry stroked t%houghtfully his
tawny beard, an amused smile playing
around his mouth.
"Some people have been So d%iscourte-
q as to hint that my hair is OF a red
dish tinge. have q very vivid re-
membrane when ! was a boy of some
n calling out to me as l was riding
by: Look out! Your heads on frev"
"How ridiculous!" laughed Bertha.
"Why, your hair is just a beautiful
chestnut brown"
II am glad you think so. my love.
You say that you nave never seen your
cousin Tom since he was a boy?"
mo. And he was one of the most
disagreeable boys I ever saw yet, v
so happy as when plaguing some of us
girls. He broke the head Of nv wax
doll, stoned my pet kitten and dug up
the choicest plants in my garden and
was such a torment generally that I
was glad when he was out of my sight
and hearing. And he is coming tomor-
row, SO papa writes, and I know what
for. But I'm determined on one thing,
that I never will marry Cousin Tom"
The young man looked down smil-
ingly into that flushed and earnest
face, which had never looked so lovely
to him as now.
B frank and tell him SO, then. I
viii be there, too, and we will see
which will win the day, Cousin Tom
or L"
The shadows OF twilight had gath
cred around the quiet corner where
MI. Vernon and his nephew sat in
earnest converse.
The former arose as Bertha entered,
her heart beating very fast at the
thought of the ordeal she knew was
before her.
MY daughter, here is your cousin
Tom, who has come for the express
purpose of asking you to be his wife
WHAT is your answer, yes or mop
Bertha did not even raise her eyes
to the dim outline Of the form that
was sitting on the sofa, but her tones.
though low, We're very firm as she said:
ut Is No papa. l am willing to give
Cousin Tom the regard that Is due to
his relation to me and to you, but L
cannot marry him."
0eaN1uS COUSIN Ion 10 reply, who
now emerged from his obscurity, Mr..
Vernon quietly slipped away.
"~Supposing I won't take NO for an
answers"
The sound of that familiar voice
made Bertha raise her eyes quickly
to the face Of the speaker.
Mr.. Henryy!"
Thomas Henry Manning, at your
service. Forgive me. darling" he whis-
pered as he looked into Bertha.s whtte.
bewtldered face. II wanted to see ana
Judge my little cousin for herself"
TITS a shame" pouted Bertha, doing
her best to look angry and failing mis-
erably. You've taken a mean and un-
fair advantage Of me-"
II know It," responded the culprit,
with an air of mock prav ;tv ..o,d ,o-