New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1909-11-24

A LITERARY AFFAIR,
By ARTHUR B. BERWICK.

It was pretty town, but inordinate-
~ dull. The branches Of the trees
formed an arch over the streets-they
were rather roads giving in summer
delicious shade. But few people walk
ed on them. and where there was a
there was no sound at all, for snow
| covered the ground, and even wheels
could not be heard.
He went there in midsummer He
didn't go from choice. He was obliged
to go. There was deal on, and he
must manage it from this quiet spot.
His work was principally waiting for
people to make up their minds to sell
what they owned and for instructions.
The town possessed a dainty little
library. He went there for something
to read. There was a cheerful APP
pearance inside, logs blazing in a
broad tiled fireplace. The librarian,
girl of twenty, stepped to the desk
II would like book of some kind
he said. "I'm cooped up here with lit
tie to do and insufferably bored.'
There were books on the desk which
he took up and scanned listlessly.
what book would you like?' asked
the librarian.
II haven't the slightest idea''
"You'll find the card rack over
there
Couldn't you suggest something's
'tFiction?'
''Yes''
"Have you read Robinson Crusoe?'"
eyes, when a boy. Why should 1
read that now?"
''Well, Crusoe was alone on his is
land; you are alone here. You might
get some suggestion from him as to
how to occupy your time"
'Thank you; I'd rather read this.
The Hearts Highway I could do
better in recommending books to you.'
"What would you suggest?"
"'Put Yourself In His Place."
'"That's impossible. You are man,
I a woman. You are stranger; am
| at home here.'
II am bachelor, and you, pre-
| Sumc, are malQ.
tsHow would When Mans Single
suit you?"
II think I should like it better than
Robinson Crusoe.' Would it help me %
Possibly. When you have finished
| it you might take up this one: Tt Is
Never Too Late to Mend'' She
blushed as she said it.
'The one appears to be a natural
sequel Of the other. What's this, Red
as Rose Is She?'"
She blushed still deeper.
1--WE are not getting on. 1 wish a
novel to while away the time, and I
don't find one.
''You are right. This conversation
can do you no good, and it might pro-
duce"-
"'Bitter Fruit" he interrupted,
reading the title of a volume she
handed him.
! She turned away, and he, going to
the card rack. fingered the cards for
awhile in silence, looking aside occa-
sionally at the girl, who sat by the fire
reading. Presently he selected a book.
/ She jabbed it with stamp and, glanc-
ing at the title, gave her head slight
; toss. 1t was "a Passing Fancy"
"Better take that" she said, handing
him ga Bit of Rogue"
He came again the next day and the
next, taking out books and keeping
up the same sort Of chat till the
autumn arrived Then he finished his
work and before leaving went to the
library to return what books remained
with him.
81 go tomorrow" he said, Thanks
for the books. This one" laying 'The
Wooing or on Hthe desk, 81 have en-
/ joyed very much" He looked at her
with an unmistakable CLINT in his eye.
Il thought you would prefer "A Mid
summer Madness"
II warn you that you may cast ridi-
Guile on my feelings
".Once Too Often,'" stamping a
book of that name.
''Haye you considered what I said to
you the last time l was here?" he
asked.
eyes. and l regard 1.-THE stamp
came down on-"A Filtration With
Truth
''How can you say that? told you
I loved you and wished you to be my
wife, giving you time for considera-
tion.''
'sAnd my answer is that prefer this
| retreat and independence to the city
and slavery to an artificial life.''
| He stood regarding her lugubriously
Presently his eye. falling to the desk,
lighted on book. He took it up and
handed it to her 1t was 'A Woman's
j No.
Thus far the desk had been between
them. Lifting the latch to the gate
that shut him off from the interior,
he went inside She was leaning on
the desk. He stole his arm around her
waist and spoke low in her ear:
81 came into this library a few
months ago to seek solace from loneli-