The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-08-12
A HOPELESS COURTSHIP.

A HOPELESS COURTSHIP.
She was very ordinary, country born
slight, pretty, colorless in face and mind
the sort of girl who ages early and
develops a biting tongue. She was
withal a fiirt, and young men were few
at the mill So, for want of better prey
she fastened on to Albert Charles and
fooled him, while he, in pitiful triumph
at his reception, lay in the dust for her
little feet to trample on, and adored her
instantly with all the boyish fervor that
was left him. His London love affairs
had all been trifing-a mere matter OF
taking OUT young lady occasionally
rarely the same young lady. He had
| therefore, all the more earnestness to
spare for this serious matter, and devot-
ed himself to the conquest of Miss
Maude Burton with the same thorough
ness that was shown in his work. His
spare time and rupees were given up
to her; he dressed with English careful
ness for his visits to the mill, in place
of the careless style to which the on
coming hot weather and his new asso-
ciates had induced him; and almost for
got, in this his first love making, that
cloud which had fallen over him on
reaching India. He remembered it with
curious suddenness when he found him
self advancing by too rapid bounds in
his courtship; The little he knew of him
self had not prepared him to find such
force of passion in his own ways, and
the thought of that unknown mother
and all her race chilled him. They had
mo- o nd mo- 10 To wit
that quickness, he supposed, and he drew
back from his courtship awhile that it
might remain quite English.
But the hot weather came to add a
sort of mental prickly-heat to his con-
fused emotions, and drove him again to
seek his hearts Joy, that he might for
get his body's troubles. He went to the
mill despite heat and rains alike, and
Miss Burton's papa felt called upon to
tell her that it was time she ended the
foolery Whereat the firt laughed and
continued it. Albert Charles amused
her; his gifts-and adoration-appealed
to her vanity, and having no other adj
mirer with youth and good looks due to
dance attendance on her until the next
cold weather, she meant to, play with
this moth until his wings were too burnt
to render him a pleasant sight.
Which happened in August, when
Charlie, in Miss Burton's own words
later, "did every silly thing you can
think of except 60 down on his knees"
He stammered little over his declara-
ton, which yet was honest, tenders man
ly in every word, showing all the love of
the simple, everyday soul that he Of
fered her-and she laughed. The devils
must envy the sound of some women's
laughter.
Charlie felt that it took from him for
ever his faith, his youth, his gayety;
he could hear the echo of it above her
careless words, which hurt him less than
the laugh. Now that the moth was
singed, she did not trouble to pick her
phrases.
II shouldn't dream of it. Mr.. Curtis .
she said, in the loud, high voice which
he had found bright until now; ''of
course, couldn't possibly marry anyone
dark
| She settled herself comfortably in her
long chair as she spoke, as though that
were conclusive, though she glanced at
him from under her lashes. Charlie
flushed the dark red that made his face
so much darker, and broke out fercely-
Chats all you've to say for yourself
after-after all you've led me to be-
lieve? You-you jade!" He made a
step forward as though he would have
thrown her, chair and all, over the
veranda, then pulled himself together
and in silence strobe down to the CHAT.
Next morning he asked the manager
if he thought his immediate return to
| England might be arranged
Il don't think I'll ever take to this
place, sir, after what I've found out
about me being-dark." He jerked the
word out viciously and was silent a
while. "Pd like to get back to London
if the boss would break the agreement
not as ell mind, I expect. 1 know a
man will just do for the job-one that's
white enough for you and as grandma
and all to show 1 can manage the pas
sage back-there's friends in the trade
at 'ome will lend it quick enough" with
a touch of defiant pride; "and I'll 'ope
to put you to no inconvenience"
The manager hesitated, looked at him
curiously and said something about see
| ing what the burra -sahib said. Charlie
cut him short.
''I'm going, anyway want to get out
of this 'ole. Another month or two, and
I'd blow my brains OUT
| He turned his back to the manager,
who glanced at him again and said he'd
! "see the burra- sahib."
| And in Charles mind, dulled with the
many smarts dealt it of late, the thought
that was revolving was, curiously
enough, not of the manager or even of
Miss Burton, but of a certain little girl
| named GLADYS who 1;yod Donyoa RI 81
way, and always said what fine eyes
ED got, and the incest mustache of any
young man she knew-Florence NJ.