Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1909-12-09
ONE GIRLS
WAY
By KENNETH HARRIS

Hector looked very much worried.
II think it's all right" he said, but a
fellsw can W be too sure. Take
EN- as a whole, l know women pretty
we'll. I've had experience with 'em,
don't you know; but there's always
some little wrinkles that you can't
learn till you've known 'em a long
time. You're an old friend of hers and
I'd like to know what you Think
If Hector had known what 1 thought
1t might have hurt our budding friend
ship. I parted the question. "You
consider that she has given you some
encouragement, them" / asked. you
will excuse me, but l hadn't supposed
that she took your attentions seri-
ously."
Hector opened his eyes to their full
est extent. ooh, she couldn't fall on a
fellows neck in public" he said.
But in private?" | suggested.
Il don't mean literally, of course"
he replied. "And l couldn't exactly tell
you why it is 1 feel so dead-er-en-
couraged. But you know there's
something in the way a girl looks at
you that there really isn't any mista-
king, and there are little things that
she does. Yes, / feel encouraged. i
don't mind saying that I'd be all broke
up If l thought she didn't really care
for me. So far as Tommy is CON
cernet. Tommy is such an awful idiot
I'm C, tain that she couldn't ever care
anything about him, but it did look a
little suspicious. Now, honest, old
man, o don't think I've any reason
to be scared of Tommy, do you?"
Honestly, then, 1 don't think he
has the ghost of a show" l said, quite
truthfully.
Hector wrung my hand. I'm awf'ly
obliged to you, old man." he said.
This is all In confidence, of course.
| wouldn't have said anything at all,
only you were such an old friend
You understand? Well, l must be
rolling along"
Hector departed, apparently much
cheered. felt sorry for him, he seemed
so hopeful. l made up my mind that
would talk to Marguerite a little.
1t was hardly Is minutes after that
when there was a sharp rap at my
door and Tommy stuck his head in.
"Hello!" he said. "You look uncom-
monty tickled about something. Let
me in on it. l thought perhaps you
wouldn't be in bed yet, so I concluded
to come in and finish my pipe with
YOU"
l covered a large yawn with my
hand and assured him that l was not
at all sleepy. TT isn't a very big pipe,
anyway" l added.
Il won't stay long" he promised,
curling himself in the easy chair. He
puffed at his pipe a few moments and
then he said: 81 wanted to have a
word with you about Marguerite"
Meaning Miss Girton?" 1 asked.
He had the grace to blush. Well
she doesn't mind my calling her Mar.
guerite when we are alone" he said
You understand that l am not going
around Dragging about it, but you're
an old friend of the family and an old
friend of hers. She thinks a good deal
OF, you, old chap"
l "a very, very much obliged to
him for telling me.
Yes, and l thought l would tell you
that I'm thinking of %steadying down
and getting settled in life. There's
nothing to this bachelor existence.
Now, you know the family and you
might give me a hint as to how ]
stand there"
How do you think you stand with
the young woman?" l asked.
"Oh, that part of it's all right
think" he replied, confidently at first
but with an after note of anxiety.
Don't you think Hector is in the
running"
He? That conceited little beast:
Well, l guess not. Not if what Mar
guerite says about him is n indica
ton" He laughed, then his expires,
sion grew serious. do you think he
has any chance?" he asked anxious.
ly. If she took that fellow l believe
~ oO LII JuAAP 1AIO t1S ldhc.
Il was Joking" 1 said. HE is in
love with her, of course. I happen tc
know that he hasn't a chance in the
world. Make yourself easy on his ac
count. If Miss Girton accepts you
don't see why there should be any Sc
rious objection on the part of the fam.
lily. Now, must you be going? I've
got something to do tomorrow morn
ing"
had a good laugh all to myself
when he had gone. 1t was a little the
best joke that had come my way fol
some time. Yet l was truly sorry fol
both of those fellows. l knew Mar
guerite.
When l saw her the next morning
took her little hand in mine and put
on my very gravest expression-whicf
she tried to rub off with the rosy ti1