The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-06-11

TOM MERRIMEST.
the fact that there would be no other
woman there was his reason for going
at all. Probably Mrs. DrakiD would
insist that he come again and would
promise him an introduction to some
friend of hers who would be just the
one he should marry.
Hubbard was used to that.
Bessie Grandin's enthusiastic efforts
to marry him to cousin of hers had
sent him scurrying off to South Amer
lea. He had announced that he would
write book on the fora of the Argen-
tine Republic, but his real reason for
flight was the fear that Mrs. Grandin
would make good her threat to marry
him to Helen Wilson In spite Of him
self.
For years Hubbard had lived in fear
OF marriage. He was not exactly q
woman hater, but an excess Of timidity
left him stammering and afraid in fem.
mime presence. and he had come to
have mortal dread Of matrimony-so
great dread that more than once he
had fed from some enthusiastic match
maker lest he be led. protesting, but
helpless, to the altar.
But he was just back from the South
American trip and hungry for the COM
partnership of his fellows. In that
frame of mind he had run across Ora.
kin. who had once been the geologist
of an expedition Of which he himself
had been botanist.
They had had lunch together, and
Drakin had urged him to spend the
night with him that their talk might
be continued.
Drakin lived in small suburban
town. and Hubbard regarded approx
ingly the neat little cottage they ap-
preached. even though a woman in
something feecy and white stood on
the porch to welcome them. Drakin
had gone into the telephone booth at
the station to announce their coming
and had emerged from the booth very
red and confused.
Hubbard hoped that his coming had
not been the cause of the confusion.
He knew that there were times when
things in the kitchen went wrong and
when visitors were not welcome. He
had suggested as much to Tom, but the
offer to return to town had been booted
at and Tom had laughed immoderately
to cover his confusion at the discovery
OF his embarrassment.
But there was no embarrassment in
Mrs. Drakin's face as she made him
welcome. There was only interest and
cordial friendship, and Ben was sur
prised to find himself rather envying
his chum.
OF course Tom had been exception.
ally fortunate in finding such q wom-
an. but as Ben tumbled into bed some
hours later he told himself that were
there two such women be should like
to marry the other.
They had sat talking until late in the
evening. and when Ben finally woke
he discovered note on his dresser, in
which Tom explained that it was nee
essary for him to go to the city on
business, but that he would return in
the afternoon and bring with him the
trunk Ben had sent to the hotel.
Ben wavered-and was lost. He
slowly dressed and went downstairs
to find Mrs. Drakin sitting in the din
ing room waiting for her guest to come
downstairs.
'Tom left his apologies" she explain
ed as she poured him bis coffee. HE
had to rise at such an unearthly hour
to make the train that we decided to
let you sleep. He will be out on the
4:10, and in the meantime l am SOL
EMMY bound to hold you here at all
hazards. Tom would never forgive me
II you should be gone before he came
back"
you couldn't drive me away" de-
clared Ben gayly. ''I'll be we'll con-