Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-07-01
HIS LITERAL MIND

small boy he showed plainly the liter
al side of his character.
There was the occasion when his
mother, after hearing sundry spec
tacular reports from several other
children. took Winfield aside for a
heart-to-heart talk.
why did you hit Teddy Jones?'
she inquired, in properly panied tones.
Il didn't hit Teddy JONES' her son
replied promptly, clipping off his
words briskly after his own particular
fashion. He looked her fairly in the
eye.
Winnie" his mother said, sternly,
don't make it any worse that 1t is.
Arthur and Gertie and Emma all say
you hit Teddy Jones and knocked
him down and hurt him badly. and
now you deny it,"
81 did not hit Teddy JONES'" the
small boy persisted with indignation.
"But they saw you" insisted MS
exasperated mother.
"They didn't cOntradicted he.
''They didn't see me hit Teddy Jones,
because | didn't hit him."
He went 10 bed without supper and
it was a week later that accident re-
vealed to his mother> that it really
was not Teddy Jones, but his brother
Harry. whom her son had pummeled.
why, you never asked me any
thing about hitting Harry!" was his
surprised comment when the matter
was brought to his attention.
Added years did not eliminate the
trait. If Kathryn Bagley had known
the story about Teddy Jones possibly
the trouble between her and Winfield
Weber might have been explained
readily, but she did not. Therefore,
she sat very. straight and very angry
and held his diamond ring tightly
clinched in her fierce little hand
ready TO return it to him at the
psy geological moment, her eyes dart
ing scorn at the pale but patiently
contained young man opposite her
who was trying to comprehend the
situation.
when there isn't confidence be-
tween u.s." Kathryn was saying
things must end. 1t would be SC
simple if only you would be honest
with me. And you claim that you
don't even know Mildred Pringl9!"
81 certainly do not know Mildred
Pringle,' repeated the young man.
emphatically. That is, l know her
by sight, but I have never spoken to
her in my life I
"That will dol" Kathryn interrupt
ed, and the diamond glittered on the
table before him. There was bewild
cred disgust in her face. Il wouldn't
have believed it of YOU When | saw
you with my own eyes across the cafe
eating luncheon with her! I must beg
you to excuse me. Good night"
Winfield Weber, he of the literal
mind, went out into the night look
ing still more panied and troubled
The main fect which lcomed up be
fore him was that Kathryn doubted
bis word-had practically accused
him of lying. Beyond that point his
mind did not travel The trouble had
arisen over such an infinitesima
thing. 1t was not so much jealousy
Of Mildred Prinsle which had. enrageG
Kathryn as the young mans prompt
denial that he had lunched with hel
when Kathryn mentioned the fact
with question mark at the end Of
her words and waited for his explana
ton of this lapse in an engaged mans
conduct.
There was no denying that Kathryn
was quick tempered, but he loved
her, and in the week that followed he
suffered a good deal. He wrote tt
her and his letters came back un
opened. He telephoned and the re
| ceiver was hung up at the other end
| Thus time went on.
However, the fates were kind tt
Kathryn and, as accident years before
| had enlightened Winfie1d's mother
| the accidental word of a girl FRIEND
enlightened Kathryn.
When her note came he forgaye the
| hurt and flew to her.