Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-05-14
DA|SY'S GREAT FAULT


1t could hardly be said that Win
throp Mosier ccurted the girl. Some
thing Of the sort was limited, moro OF
less broadly, by Sphinx In the Office
but Winthrop repealed the soft i'm
parchment with horror and distress.
This was by reason Of his abnormal
modesty.
You ought to be kicked for eve
suppos1ng such a thing" said Win
throp to Spipk. Miss Considine is
gracious enough to receive my visits
occasionally" he went on, land her
mother has been exceedingly kind to
me-far mere so han I a any right
to expect l have been entertained by
the family most Hospitality, but 1 hope
l would be the last to presume upon
their goodness. l suppose you were
only Joking, Sphinx, but 1 must say I
consider such jokes in very bad
taste"
Whereupon Sphinx subsidized, content
ing himself with a wink to the other
fellows.
1t seemed to most people that it was
hardly necessary for Moster to depre-
ciate himself in the way he habitually
did. He was certainly not much to look
at, being understood and washed out
in appearance. The color in him really
appeared to be diluted to a point
where it was doubtful. 1t was hard
TO tell whether his Eyes were blue or
gray, or whether his hair was haxen
or bleached brown. He had a funny
little snub nose, a wide, thin-lipped
mouth and imperceptible eyebrows. As
to his ability, that was just about the
average. The office considered him a
fairly good salary, which seemed to
Mosier most astonishing.
Il don't understand 1t at ALL" he
said to Sphinx. Il know fellows who
are twice as clever as I ~am-good,
steady fellows, too, who aren't doing
half as well. I know there are hun
dreds Of better men out Of employ
ment altogether. Even here--look at
Dinsey and KrauA They ought to be
where I am and I ought to be where
they are"
Sure" replied SPHINX kindly. "A
fool for luck!"
To 90 back to Miss Considine: The
young man continued his visits to the
house and for a long time there was
nothing to distinguish the attentions
ae paid the daughter from those which
the mother received from him. He
did his little best to be agreeable to
10th, and showed no particular disap-
pointment If the girl happened to be
out when he called. In course of time,
however. all that changed.
The nrst sign Sphinx noticed vas a
pronounced moodiness. He and Mo
sier, 1t must be said, were roommates.
Sometimes Mosier dressed himself
with great care and went out, presum-
ably to call on the Considines, for
three or -four evenings hand running.
At other times he remained in his
room for an even more extended peri
cd, reading "Lalla Rookh" and other
poetry Of a distinctly sentimental ma
ture. If Sphinx spoke to him he replied
In monosy1lables and he sighed until
his companion complained Of the draft.
His appetite for breakfast was poor
and occasionally he neglected to shave
himself. Sphinx, who was not a young
man of great experience. was inclined
to attribute all this to liver trouble.
J-aat made Mosier mad.
What is it, then?" asked Sphinx.
At last it came out. in a despairins
explosion.
Its Miss Considine." confessed
Winthrop.
What about her?" Sphinx inquired.
Whats wrong with her?"
whats wrong with her?" echoed
Mosier. "Nothing's wrong with her.
It's me. Tommy. I'm afraid I've al
lowed myself to fall in love with
her.
Il don't see why that should make
you feel bad" said Sphinx