The Democratic advocate., 1908-09-04
How WenZell
Made Good.
By CL.ARISSA MACKIE.
Copyrighted, 1903, By Associated
Literary Press.

plush sofa and looked at picture postal
cards With Ann Rose. He was a well
dressed youth, with gorgeous hosiery
displayed above his low cut shoes. His
face was ordinary and notable merely
for its shrewdness and frequent dis
play Of gold filed teeth. Ann Rose ad-
mired him greatly. His position in Il
city bank and his undoubted respec-
liability had much to DO with his en-
trance into the Baker homestead
Ann Rose Baker and Chester Laid
law giggled over the postal cards until
Wenzell Beebe slid awkwardly into the
back parlor and sat down beside Mrs.
Baker, who nodded kindly at him.
Flows your mar she asked.
"She's all right" replied Wenzeil,
red. He was conscious that the city
boarier was discussing him with Ann
Rose, and her light laugh, instantly
suppressed, rendered him still more
uncomfortable
You know Mr.. Laidfaw" whfs-
pered Mrs. Baker.
Wenzell nodded. IT met him here
the other night"
He's awful smart He's in bank, "
said Mrs Baker Importantly.
Wenzell did not reply. He was try
ing to keep his eyes from the couple on
the sofa in the other room.
Ann Rose was watching him covert
ly. She noted the new suit of gray
clothes, the light blue satin necktie
and his large brown hands. Her
glance wandered to the youth at her
side, with his air of easy assurance,
and down at his slim white hands play
ing with the postals- She twisted
WenzelPs little turquoise ring from
the third finger of her left hand and
transferred it to the other hand. Then
she few over to the piano and ratified
the keys noisily.
'sCome, sing something, MI. Iai
taw," she suggested gayIy.
Mr.. Laidlaw was pleased TO sing, and
he and Ann Rose turned the pages Of
a book of old love songs and when
their voices blended In unison Wen
ze1l's hands tightly clinched the sides
of his chair and his lips whitened
81 come to take Ann Rose out rid
Ing" he said sulIenly to his future
mother-in-faw.
Mrs. Baker glanced apprehensfvely
at him over her spectacles. "Ann
Rose, here's Wenzell a-setting here
waiting for you to go riding with himr
she called.
The music ceased abruptly, and Ann
Rose appeared In the doorway, de-
murely pretty in her white dress, with
a half blown rose in her dark hair.
The boarder lounged behind her.
II saw you come in, We1nell, but 1
forgot all about you," she said, with u
coquettish glance at Me. Lasdlaw. "T'll
be ready in minute"
Wenzell Beebe nodded awkwardly at
the boarder and, taking his hat, went
out of the side door to the shed where
he had tied his horse. He backed the
buggy into the driveway and waited
patiently until Ann Rose came re-
luctantly out Silently he assisted her
to the seat and jumped in beside her.
The big black horse carried them cas-
lily out of the yard and into green
shaded road, where the setting sun
poured sitting golden streams through
the branches. When they reached a
rise of ground, Wenzell pointed with
his whip to the horizon where low
rim of black clouds stained the yellow
Light.
Rain tonight" he said, speaking for
the first time.
II guess pas hay III get wet, then.
Hes over to town, and he didn't get it
all In" said Ann Rose lazily. She was
thinking of what Chester Laidlaw had
said about her eyes, and at that in
stant they were very bright.
where's your ringf' asked Wen
eel suddenly:
She glanced guiftily down at her left
hand and then extended the other with
a shamefaced smile ''I changed 1t
for fun" she faltered.
'Then you amt ashamed of it?"
asked Wenzell slowly, and as she made
no reply he added, with a furtive
glance at Ann Rose: IT reckon that
Laidlaw fellow could hand out dia-
monds and such, They say he's a
spendeP. 80 -.-,----'--'-.
Ann Rose shrugged her shoulders
pettishly, her dark eyes seeking new
" built cottage that crowned a little
eminence.
ri thought maybe Sou'd like to hook
at it, Ann Rose" said WenZeil in
softer tone. "Jim Putney has left
sample book of wall paper, and want
you to choose what you like"
''Mr. Laidlaw says we ought to have
cartridge paper In the parior," OBJ
served Ann Rose carelessly as Wen
Eell helped her down before the gate.
"LaYdlaw! Has he been hereT de-
manded Wenzen savagely.
The girl laughed uneasily. 1--WE
walked over last night in the moon
light. l told him about It being ours.
We peeked IN tie windows" she ex-
planned.
"I guess we won't pick out any pa
per tonight" said Wenzell deliberately.
+You better get in and I'll take you
home. Maybe you have an engage
ment to play cRoquet with the
boartfer!'
They drove home in silence, and it
was not until the black horse turned
in at the gate that Wenzen spoke
again; then hts voice was hoarse and