Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-07-09

niH Wuen you We're across
the big wash last summer. For a
man who was nothing to YOU you
sure took large swads of intelligent in
terest. Look here, little girl" he went
on. less flippantly. whats the matter:
Has anything
mo-" b broke in, with a miserable
effort at courage. "Nothing's the mat
ter. Pm perfectly happy. Why shouldn't
l be? An engaged girl is always
IAN engaged girl.' he shouted in
high glee. You don't mean to say
you and Alwyn"-
"Of course not. l am engaged to
Mr.. Gibbs"
Good Lord!" gasped the lad in hon
est dismay. "If that's meant for a
joke, it's the punkest ever! Did,
ut isn't a joke, Perry, and it's very
rude Of you to talk so. l am engaged
to Mr.. Gibbs, and"-
"But-how-when did the ~atrocity
come off, and
Il became engaged to him the night
Of the administration ball. l didn't
want to tell you yet, because | knew
you don't like him. I'm-I'm"-
YOU'RE happy"
Certainly I am" she retorted de-
family. 80 happy that ~
THAT you are having a fight to keep
from crying this blessed minute!!" he
finished. Say. Dallas. it breaks me
all up to have you SO miserable. l
think a whole lot Of you. More'n Of
any II else but Cynthia. And l want
to help you out of this measly mixup.
Won't you?"-
"There is nothing any one can do"
she murmured sadly. II have chosen
my course and ~
Cheese it" whispered Perry in hur-
ried admonition. "Here m Ben
nett, and Phelan's with him"
The young mayor came in, talking to
the alderman as he anne.
This rooms disengaged," he was
saying. "Ill write it here and give it
to-oh. l beg your pardon" he broke
off, recognizing Dallas and Perry. 81
didn't know
Owe got two good seats for you"
announced Phelan. fright where you
can see an hear the whole shootin'
match. An 1 guess before the meetin's
over it's liable to get as %interestin' as
a double Uncle Tom show in a tent.
I'll show you the way as soon as
you're ready. There's no rush. Things
amt begun to sizzle up yet"
RpnDaff had croccod fo u,boro Jo,Ilo.
stood irresolute and, under cover of
Phelan's talk with Perry, said to her,
with a certain unconscious stiffness:
II fear l was too taken aback by
your announcement the other evening
to remember to congratulate you. but
please believe me when l say l wish
you every happiness in the new life
you have chosen"
THANK you very much." faltered
| Dallas.
There was an awkward pause; Their
she said:
You came in here to write some
thing. I'm afraid we are OBTAINING
you. You must be busy with your
fight against the Borough bill. You
are quite determined to continue it to
the end?"
ITO the bitter end!" he answered
miserably. Even though that enc
can hold nothing but bitterness for
me-"
The set anguish in his face moved
Dallas more than she dared confess
ever to herelf.
II am sorry" she said softly.
ut is the course l have chosen" he
answered, with a shrug, land If il
leads to eternal darkness instead of
the sunlight I expected 1 must follow
it none the less"
THAT is sheer obstinacy,'' she cried
battling against her own hearts pas
sionate plea. You have laid out q
plan to ruin Mr.. Gibbs. to deprive
Perry and me Of my own fortune
And that means more to me than you
can ever know. Goodby."
He left the room abruptly, and Dial.
las stared after him, her brain awhirl
with conflicting thoughts.
There's a man In ten million, MISS
volunteered Phelan, breaking in on bel
reverie. IAN from the looks of thai
BRAN new dinky, three-k spark or
your finger l guess you're wise to the
fact"
II am engaged to Mr.. Gibbs" replied
Dallas coldly.
what the gasped Phelan, check.
ing himself just in time. 'I'm sure
sorry for you. MISS" he went on. with
a sincerity that precluded any ofense
"for frien' Gibbs is going to have
something so heavy fall on his bank
roll by the time we're through with
this Borough bill that he'll be able tc
use his wad for a book mark without
crinklin' any Of the leaves. Why
help
Come, Perry" interrupted Dallas
Shall we go to the meeting now?"
Confused, she turned to the door
leading into Horrigan's room instead
of that opening on the corridor and
found herself face to face with her
uncle. the boss and Gibbs.
II beg your pardon" she began, sur.
a