The daily Alaskan., 1908-12-07
's'N.-'+''N1-N|@-N--'|7N--']'N~-N1'N|'N--N-N' NANCYI'S
 PROXY. By EPES ". SARGENT. Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
 Literary Press.
By RPES W. SARGENT.


 sent to the statement, for she always agreed with what Bobby Seaton said.
 In this instance her own views were reflected albeit those views were somewhat prejudlced at the moment by the fact that she had been kept in after school, and Bobby had had to sit on the curb'and wait for her. He had done his best, loo, to be kept in, ana 50 share her punishment.
 "Tll be glad when I'm married and don't have to go to school" -he con- tinued solcmnly. Married people don't have to go to school"
 "NIr. Scarritt did," reminded Nancy.
 He was a minister" explained Bob by as though that made difference. "Besldes he was married when he was In college. College Is different from g school"
 Nancy nodded wisely She could not grasp any distinction, but since Bobby said so. there must be q difference.
 schools horrid," she complained. "I just fired one teenty little spit ball, and Miss Magnus made me stay in."
 She's got to stay to correct the ex- crcises." explained Bobby "and she's trald to stay alone. That's why she always makes some one stay in.'
 "'Taln't fair" insisted Nancy "and we were going after nuts too"
 'I tell you what" exclaimed Bobby. Lets get married, and then she can't make us go to school"
 Right uow?" demanded Nancy, with glance at her soiled dress.
 That little ink stain don't matter assured Bobby. wen go to Mir Scar rltt. He got married when he was in school. 50 hen understand"
 But he went To school after he got married, reminded Nancy.
 That's because be wanted to-" eN- planed Bobby. "If he didn't want to go he didn't have to. We won't want to go."
 He started to his feet, artI Nancy obcdienly followed Had Bobby pro- posed a stroll to the north pole she would have followed with the same content. for was not Bobby wise with the wisdom of full eight years, while she buastcd a scaut six?
 It was a short walk to the minister's home. and presently Bobby, brave but a trlfe weak in the knees and wdth a higher color on his face was explain ing to the minister hIs desire to wed.
 The Rev. Scarrltt grave and studi. ous. was shocked at the suggestion and with gentle rcproof at their sacri- legc turned them from his study. The reproof was lost on a determined mind, and when the door had closed Bobby shook his tiny fist in the air
 Just cause he's married he don't care bout no one else" he said win dlctlyely. Hes not the only marrLer in town Huh"
 There was world of scorn in the exclamation. and Bobby's wrath was hot. He had not understood what the minister was saying, but he had gath cred that he was being scolded for even thinking of marriage, and this under the very eyes of his beloved.
 There were three other ministers in town. but none of them was at home, and Bobby turned toward the tired Nancy.
 Its no use" he said, with a tighten ing of the Quivcring lip. we've got to go to Riverside"
 Nancy bunGed back the tears and put her hand in his
 "IrS dreadful hard getting married" she said. "Do all people have trouble like this?"
 "When they elopc," explained Bobby calmly You don't have time to fix 1t with the minister"
 "I don't think that lopIng's much fun" vcuturcd Nancy. but Bobby's look silenced her. Together they trudgcd along iu silence until the houses were passed and the road to Riverside lay bare and lonely before them.
 The shadows were closing In, and there were clumps of trees that made patches of dark, just the sort that bears love to hide in.
 For the benefit of his lady Bobby kept up a brave front, but his clasp on the tired dirty little hand that lay within his own frightened when the dark places came, and the sturdy iIt. ue legs were urged to greater speed until the danger point was passed.
 The dark was closing in now, and Nancys plump little legs were not as strong as Bobbys. and, though she brayely sought to hold the pace, she Jagged behind
 At last, in spite of her fortItude, she had to give in and sank with a little sob on the grass beside the roadway.
 "I just cant go any more, Bobby" she walled. Ut seems like we most walked round the earth
 Its only a little way now," urged Bobby "an' maybe the minister will ask us to stay for supper"
 The mention of food was the ldst straw. Fatigue had prevented the thought of hunger but now Nancy knew that she was famlshed
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