The Ordway new era., 1909-09-03

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The hostess laughed. She was used
to Hobby's eNtravagances.
Bobby met Beth later In the even
ing. Her eyes shone on him mischiev-
Ously and her mouth curved as II she
expected to laugh at any moment.
Are you going TO. ask me to marry
YOU at once?" she inquired OF him
sweetly.
Bobby smiled. 'T am glad you over
heard what said to your cousin" he
replied. Now you are prepared for
the inevitable"
That was year ago. and the inevt-
table, in the shape of proposal of
marriage from Bobby had not come
He knew he would become engaged
to her eventually. but for the time be-
ing things were very comfortable just
as they were.
He monopolized Beth's evenings
Yhen she stayed at home. He was
her constant escort when she went
out. He felt all the satisfaction OF
proprietorship. Still he was not
bound. lie could come and go as he
l'l'Ag'Ns TIC N'bh NlLlt lbl MS "lub
He could pass an occasional leisure
ly evening at home with his pipe.
One night. however he met with re-
verses. Beth wore a cream lace gown
that night and-was ravishing. They
had been invited TO meet an eastern
man who was being introduced to n
good many persons. That is to say.
he was introduced until he met the
cream lace gown containing Beth
Then he courteously declined to be
introduced any further. He remained
beside the cream lace gown for the
rest OF tae evening
You had every appearance OF, lik-
ing IT," said Bobby in rage as he
was taking Beth home.
81 did Ike it," she replied. 'I liked
It very much. ] have asked him to
come to see me-"
For some time after that Bobby's
club knew him not. Until the eastern
man departed he passed no leisurely
evenings at home with his pipe. In
fact. the eastern man gave Bobby
what is sometimes called a run for
his .Loney
'! am glad he's gone" acknowl-
edged Bobby. one evening about n
week after the eastern man had de-
parted
Are you?" said Both softly. Then
am glad too"
But Bobby did not take warning
from the eastern man. When Beth
said that soft little: Then ! am glad,
" hp hti hnr n ~
and save him further alarms. He only
relaxed. with great tranquility OF soul,
and continued to monopolize her even
ings when she stayed at home. to be
her constant escort when she went
out to give the world to understand
that she was his property-to be very
comfortable, in a word with the idea
of eventually asking her to marry
him.
Bobby took fishing trip. For six
weeks he fished. He did not write to
Beth very often: it was too hard to
write often when one was roughing II
II should have to write her every
day If we were engaged" thought
Bobby.
He sent her his biggest catch, how.
ever. and felt considerable surprise
and some resentment when she did
not write enthusiastically to thank
him.
At eight o'clock the first night after
Bobby's return he rushed up Beths
front steps. He wanted to see her
very badly. He had been gone for six
weeks.
Beth's mother was sitting alone on
the porch.
How is Beth?" eagerly asked Bob.
by. And where is she?"
She was married last night" said
Beth's mother, quietly. They left on
late train. They are going abroad
for their honeymoon"
Married." exclaimed Bobby. DULY.
Married."
1T was all very sudden. Beth met
him the week you left. He was ex.
ceedingly eager. Think of It! Mar.
ried six weeks after they first saw
each other!"
Tears stood in Beths mothers eyes.
She was not thinking Of Bobby. She
was wishing that daughters did not
have to grow up and get married.
Alone in his room that night Bobby
smoked long and hard. He thought of
many things. When he finally shook
the last ashes out Of his pipe he said
one word to himself.
'Fool!" said Bobby.
He was feeling very wretched.-Chi.
cago Daily News.