Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1908-05-07
THE GOVERNOR
FINDS HIMSELF
BY Stuart B. Stone

Ills eACeileHCy Lle governor was IN
a fretful mood. While matters of state
overwhelmed him, his secretary had
determined on a vacation The occa-
sion was the Locke-Snyder wedding,
at which the secretary would shine as
one of the six bridesmaids. There
We're silks and slippers to purchase,
and the time was short.
All this had been explained to the
governor, but he failed to see. He
knew only that the capitol investiga-
ton was on and the appointment of a
set of officials for Bell county to be
made. The turnpike problem was a
bad one, and felons We're clamoring for
pardon and party leaders begging for
pie.
Consider the poor convicts," he
stormed.
Consider the six bridesmaids" re-
butted the stenographer.
Here are four men," he said, Job
jecting to be hanged.
Pardon Them" she suggested
mo; I'll hang EN-"
Whereat the stenographer knew the
executive was wroth and held her
peace.
The man looked into the sparkling
brown eyes and for the first time in
the two years they had labored to-
gether really saw the girl He was an
absent-minded slave, serving his little
state in the best manner the party
bosses would allow, always immersed
in his work. Now for moment he for
got his governorship, and red tape, and
policy, and saw only the maid before
him.
"a month is long time" he said
"Cut it short, if you can" And as an
after thought: and don't be foolish
and form any sentimental attachment
yourself"
The girl suppressed smile as she
slid out the door. The governor tapped
with pencil on his desk in deepest
reverie.
Then his councillors poured in upon
him. Good mornin', guvnor," the
auditor saluted breezily. what about
the turnpikes?"
will the Bell county commissions
be ready to-day queried the secretary
of state. THE Herald says
THE Herald is eternally saying.
can't do thing until Miss Brandon re-
turns"
ooh" said the attorney general. I'll
send you Perkins,
Keep the blockhead. I've got to
think out things by myself
The governor sat down and gazed
thoughtfully into the fire for many
minutes after his august advisors had
deserted him. And thus he sat when
the door opened gently and some one
entered The governor raised his eyes
and saw the girl and at first he mag
ined her back from her months stay
The wedding was a grand success
presume" he stammered out.
1T will be, l think, when it hap
pens
"And you"
81 came back to say good-by. When
left it was all turnpikes and pardons
and appointments"
"And with you it was weddings and
bridesmaids and outfits. Take a note
please; We'll draw up a proclamation
abolishing the state of matrimony in
our dominions.'
Nonsense! You'll marry some day
yourself"
Let the edict die, then" said the
governor.
His eNcellency arose and paced the
floor At intervals he glanced at the
smiling girl by the machine, and when
their eyes met the governors were the
first to fall.
/. "You are not married, Miss Brandon
oh, of course, you're not married.
well, hardly"
what 1 meant was, you are not
er-engaged to some frivolous, auda
cious upstart?"
We'll, really now"
ooh, hang it ALI" said the governor
Marry me, won't you?"
1t was out in moment, and the
man sat down, confused and helpless
In a day he had found his soul and
proposed marriage to a browneyed
giddy thing that looked across at him
mirth and fright struggling for posses
sion of her pretty face
"If l did," she said, you would lose
your stenographer."
"And gain a wife. I'll risk the ex
pertinent"
Then there is nothing else to do
faltered the girl.
Keats Window in Rome.
Tba Koat,c housa in Rome nov