The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-11-27

he took up and scanned llstlessly.
what book would you Iike? asked
the librarian.
81 haven't the slightest idea"
you'll find the card rack over
there
Couldn't you suggest something's"
"Fiction?-
"Yes."
Have you read Robinson Crusoe?' "
Eyes. when boy. Why should l
read that now?"
"Well. Crusoe was alone on his is
land; you are alone here. You might
get some suggestion from him as to
how to occupy your time"
"Thank you; Id rather read this.
The Hearts Highway l could do
better in recommending books to you."
What would you suggest?"
"'Put Yourself In His Place."
That's impossible. You are a man.
woman. You are stranger; am
at home here
IL am bachelor, and you. pre-
sumo, are maid.'
How would When Mans Single
suit you?"
II think should like 1t better than
Robinson Crusoe.' Would 1t help me %
Possibly. When you have finished
it you might take up this one: 1T Is
Never Too Late to Mend.'" She
blushed as she said 1t.
U'Tho ono oppaorS tn ba n NO t,,rol
sequel of the other. What's this, Red
as Rose Is She|"
She blushed still deeper
1--WE are not getting ON. l wish a
novel to while away the time, and |
don't find one.
"You are right. This conversation
can do you no good, and 1t might pro-
duce"-
"'Bitter Fruit" he interrupted.
reading the title of a volume she
handed him.
She turned away, and he. going to
the card rack. fingered the cards for
awhile in silence. looking aside occa-
sionally at the girl. who sat by the fire
reading. Presently he selected book.
She jabbed it with a stamp and. glanc-
ing at the title. gave her head slight
toss. 1t was "A Passing Fancy"
Better take that" she said. handing
him "A Bit Of Rogue"
He came again the next day and the
next, taking out books and keeping
up the same sort of chat till the
autumn arrived. Then he finished his
work and before leaving went to the
library to return what books remained
with him.
II 60 tomorrow" he said, Thanks
for the books. This one," laying THE
Wooing or on the desk. Il have en-
joyed very much" He looked at her
with an unmistakable CLINT in his eye.
~ thought you would prefer "A Mid
summer Madness"
81 warn you that you may cast ridi-
cule on my feelings
"'Once Too Often,'" stamping a
book of that name.
Have you considered what said to
you the last time l was here" he
asked.
S"Yes. and regard it''-the stamp
came down on-"A Filtration With
Truth"
How can you say that? l told you
I loved you and wished you to be my
wife. giving you time for considera-
tion."
"And my answer is that prefer this
retreat and independence to the city
and slavery to an artificial life."
He stood regarding her lugubriously.
Presently his eve. falling TO the desk.
lighted on book. He took it up and
handed 1t to her. 1t was "A Woman's
No."
Thus far the desk had been between
them. Lifting the latch to the gate.
that shut him off from the interior.
he went inside. She was leaning on
the desk. He stole his arm around her
waist and spoke low In her ear:
''I came into this library few
months ago to seek solace from loneli-
ness. I found 1t. but not in the books
I have taken out. for have not read
one of them. Nevertheless l appreci-
ate them because they have afforded
us a language Of love. They have
served as shields TO that diff1dence
which hedges a newborn affection. But
they are no longer needed. Let us now
talk plainly. Tell me, do you love me.
and will you marry me-"
81 will"
When he returned to the city he was
commended for his patience In remain
ing in a dull country town until every
bit of the work assigned him had been
satisfactorily closed. 1t was only when
the winter came on and they received
his wedding cards that they under
stood the reason for his aequiescence
In his hard lot.