Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-06-24
HIS LONG WAY ROUND.


If he had hoped to surprise her the
hope was futile. A touch OF alert
ness, betraying itself in his eyes, put
her on her guard.
my dear Rupert" she cried con-
tentedly. do tell me who she isl"
He sighed rather disappointedly. II
don't know" he said. I'm just con-
sidering."
Philippas eyebrows rose slightly as
she glanced at the sheets of paper
surrounding him. "In typewriting"
she inquired. ooh, no; I see. You're
drawing up the proposal"
He shuddered Indignantly. Certain
ly not! How could I whine l don't
know yet who it's to be-"
Zone can leave a space" murmur-
ed Philippa, "and fill in the name af-
terward, you know"
He looked at her with reproach.
"These are not proposals" he informed
her They are their characters"
Philippa stared. Theirs? Whose?"
'"The girls to whom it would be pos
sible for me to propose"
obi" breathed Philippa, with inter-
est. what do you mean?'
"Graphology," he said. you see, I
feel a bit nervous about choosing"
"Choosing?" rippled Philippe.
ooh, WE'LL" he sulked, "of course l
know she may refuse me, but I've got
to decide which to ask, anyway,
haven't I?'
"Of course" agreed Philippi "And
you could make certain, couldn't
you, by keeping a second in reserve?
You know-the sort of thing diapers
put on their patterns. In making a
choice we respectfully beg customer
to select two or three designs, to
avoid disapp-"
ooh, if you find it so funny" he
said disgustedly, and swept the pa
pers into a heap.
81 was trying to help" said she
with Indignation.
He was with difficulty induced to
proceed. well, I sent my handwrit-
ing to a graphologist, and-and some
girls letters
How meant" flashed Philippa.
portions of letters" he corrected
with dignity. "And yesterday | got
these from the man. He indicated
the typewriter sheets
Philippa sparkled. You'll let me
see them?" she entreated and ran her
fingers through the pages. How
many? Five? Oh, but that ones
yours. Well, four girls ought to be
plenty. Let's see. Geraldine first. Some
what tickle in your attachments --, -
You will admit" he interrupted cold
! ly, "Geraldine is out of the question"
Philippe aid hers on the table, uot
without hesitation. THE other may
| be worse" she mused who's thisP
Oh, Bertha Unwin. OF a som awh at
cold and calculating nature Yes:
| she always lets me pay for everything
when we go out together. Not much
love for children or animals -
Philippa looked up in some dismaw.
But this is dreadful! She-she ap-
pears to be perfectly odious. Let's
see what he says about Olivia Very
ambitious; none but the highest po-
sitiOn would" Philippa unheSi l.
| tatingly abandoned Olivia deDrecs-
strength of her cousins weaknesses.
But there's only Miss Betterton
left now" she said anxiously Git
for'-what's the word? 'Nursing? Oh,
| I'm sure that's not true"
And if it WERE" Rupert demurred.
Il don't want always to be i'll, you
know. And I've got to choose one"
They reflected. "Well," said Phil.
Ippa at last, desperately, you've paid
your penny, and you'd better
1T wasn't a penny" he interrupted
| gloomily, He's an exceptional graph
ologist and charges five shillings each
But these four optional wives" OBJ.
| jected Philippe, 'are all so hateful
at least, when they're graphologizel
really think another five shillin IS
would be justifiable outlay" She
spoke a little absently; she was
glancing through the typewriter
character OF Rupert himself and he
watched her with a hint of compla
cency. A subdued light in her eyes
as she looked up troubled him
I'm afraid there are a good MANY
mistakes in it, he said modestly.
Philippa reflected, Did you have tt
pay extra for yours!' she demanded
What for?" he asked uneasily
THE whitewash," said Philipp;t
With dancing eyes
He looked at her with gentle re-
proach.
Il thought yours perfect" he said
| "Mine?"
Yes" He searched in his pocket
book. 81 wanted to know yours. but
of course, I didn't put it with the 9th
ers, as you are not-available.
"Ru, dear, what a lot of trouble y0u
took. Do you really think all those
nice things of me?"
Il just wrote down what though,
of you," he confessed. But how or
earth did you guess! typewriting tells
no tales"
Her lips quiyered. "You said was
sincere in my attachments, Ru."
$50 you are"
"And that you were attached to 6
country life"
$50 | am
She laughed suddenly. What 6
pity You spell SO badly, Ru!"
He was puzzled "All great mcr
, spell badly" he assured her. what:
that got to do with it?''
She leaned toward him. 81 recog
nized your touch, Ru. You always
did spell attach with three t's."-
7 OndOn Sketch