Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-09-02

me"
The hostess laughed. She was used
to Bobby's extravagances.
Bobby met Beth later in the even
ing, Her eyes shone on him mischiev-
ously and her mouth curved as if she
expected to laugh at any moment.
Are you going to ask me to marry
you at once?" she inquired of him
sweetly.
Bobby smiled. 81 am glad you over
heard what | said to your COUSIN" he
replied. Now you are prepared for
the inevitable"
That was year ago, and the inevi-
table, in the shape of proposal of
marriage from Bobby had not come
He knew he would become engaged
to her eventually, but for the time be-
ing things were very comfortable just
as they were.
He monopolized Beth's evenings
when she stayed at home. He was
her constant escort when she went
out. He felt all the satisfaction of
proprietorship. Still he was not
bound. He could come and go as he
pleased. He took time for his club.
He could pass an occasional leisure
ly evening at home with his pipe
One night, however, he met with re-
verses. Beth wore a cream lace gown
that night and--was ravishing. They
had been invited to meet an eastern
man who was being introduced to a
good many persons. That Is to say.
he was introduced until he met the
cream lace gown containing Beth.
Then he courteously declined to be
introduced any further. He remained
beside the cream lace gown for the
rest Of the evening
You had every appearance OF liz
ing it." said Bobby In a rage as he
was taking Beth home.
II did like IT," she replied II liked
II very much. / have asked him to
come to see me-"
For some time after that Bobby's
club knew him not. Until the eastern
man departed he passed no leisurely
evenings at home with his pipe. In
fact, the eastern man gave Bobby
his money.
Il am glad he's gone" acknowl-
edged Bobby, one evening about a
week after the eastern man had de-
parted.
Are your" said Beth softly. Then
I am glad too"
But Bobby did not take warning
said that soft little Then | am glad,
too" he did not ask her to marry him
and save him further alarms. He only
relaxed, with great tranquility OF soul,
and continued to monopolize her even
ings when she stayed at home, to be
her constant escort when she went
out, to give the world to understand
that she was his property-to be very
comfortable, in a word with the idea
of eventually asking her to marry
him.
Bobby took fishing trip For six
weeks he fshed. He did not write to
Beth very often; it was too hard to
write often when one was roughing 1t.
Il should have to write her every
day If we were engaged" thought
Bobby.
He sent her his biggest catch, how.
ever, and fdt considerable surprise
and some resentment when she did
not write enthusiastically to thank
him.
At eight o'clock the first night after
Bobby's return he rushed up Beth's
front steps. He wanted to see her
very badly. He had been gone for six
weeks.
Beth's mother was sitting alone on
the porch.
How is Beth?" eagerly asked Bob
by. And where is she?"
"She was married last night" said
Beth's mother, quietly. They left on
a late train. They are going abroad
for their honeymoon"
Married." exclaimed Bobby, DULY.
Married."
1T was all very sudden Beth met
him the week you left. He was ex-
ceedingly eager. Think of It! Mar
ried six weeks after they first saw
each other!"
Tears stood in Beth's mothers eyes.
She was not thinking Of Bobby. She
was wishing that daughters did not
have to grow up and get married.
Alone in his room that night Bobby
smoked long and hard. He thought of
many things. When he finally shook
the last ashes out of his pipe he saio
one word to himself.
Fool" said Bobby.
He was feeling very wretched.-Chi.
cago Daily News.