Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-11-04
BY
M

should think meeting me and meeting
other people here would make you
more in love with your own free, splen-
did life"
The navy man shook his head. and
his smile was just a little grim.
"Perhaps it might make me in love,
but not with navy life he suggested.
Don't YOU see? The navy is wonder
full. The life is the finest on earth.
But let's suppose Il little from the
other side, and then you'll understand
why l said Ned Pinckney's a lucky
dog"
YES
suppose a man is young and good
looking and clever and the manager
OF a great plant like your fathers. and
suppose he's in love with YOU"
ut seems to me that you're Il great
supposer," laughed the girl.
He nodded.
That's about all | can be-a up
poser. Surprising is just about as far
as Il nava lieutenant can ever go with
the daughter of a steel millionaire"
The girl shook her head angrily.
Seems to me-" she declared, that
naval lieutenants are very queer peo-
pie even if they do wear medals for
bravery" Then, with one of her quick
changes of mood. she looked up at
him most innocently. Did YOU do
much supposing, Mr.. Sommers, when
you plunged into the sea from the
deck of your ship that winters night
to save an ordinary sailor!"
1nvoluntarily the man stepped to-
ward her. his arms half outstrctched.
She did not move, but he stopped him
self with an effort. dropping his arms.
THAT plunge was nothing to one
I'd like to take" he said.
The girl looked up at him, challenge
in her eyes.
"Why don't you, then, Mr.. Sommers:
l could have thought you'd be
afraid of anything"
he admitted frankly.
"1es!" with a world of wonder in it.
"What is that thing. Mr.. Sommers?"
Myself"
ooh" she said; then, after a pause,
You know we are a good deal alike,
for once or twice I've been a little
afraid of you too"
May l finish ~supposing?" he asked
humbly when the pause that followed
her last remark had become signifi-
cant.
~"Supposing? Yes; 1 presume So" she
agreed.
"Well, as 1 was saying, supposing u
man. young. good looking, manager Of
this wonderful plant. with a mana
gers salary and future prospects,
The girl yawned.
"Will you please tell me, Mr.. Som
mers, what that can possibly have to
do WITH
"Wait till l fnish," he protested.
Suppose he's in love with you"
"Well," she said. lis it my turn now
to suppose?"
He shook his head.
ut will be your turn in just a min
ute. You must get the other side Of
this suppose first. The second sup
pose is. Suppose l love you? Did you
hear that suppose?'
distinctly" she agreed.
"Then, if you nave those two sup
poses clearly before you. isn't it easy
to see why l called him a lucky dog?"
The girl shook her head.
"Im afraid I'm very stupid, Mr..
Sommers. but l can't see why an Off
Ger in the navy should ca. the mana
ger of a steel plant a lucky dog under
any circumstances"
perhaps if you weighed the compar-
ative salaries and future prospects of
the two men and considered both in
love with the same girl you might I'M
derstand," he suggested.
The girl laughed at him.
Your deduction was very nice, very
pretty, very clever, MI. Sommers; but,
you see. it won't stand the highest
test"
"No?" he asked, surprised.
mo, Mr.. Sommers, not for a mo-
ment. Let me suppo"e a little. Sup
pose you or some other officer could
change places with the manager of the
steel plant, or suppose the owner Of a
SlCSl PIduC even SuOulu CONE u ulc
and say: L have plenty Of money. 1
can give you everything you want.
Will you be mine?' And then l should
say, Pm awfully sorry, Mr.. Manager
or Mr.. Owner of a Steel Plant; but.
you see, l have everything l want,
thank you, and l don't care the least
little bit for you Now, where would
your suppose theory be then. Mr.. Som
mers?"
The man shrugged his shoulders.
Anyhow, Miss Durant," he said.
1.-THE manager of the steel plant or the
owner Of the steel plant can go to the
girl he loves, make his fight, take his
chance and, like u man, abide by the
result. But the navy fellow can't do
that. All he can do is to bite his lips
and twiddle his thumbs and regret and
suppose"
He ended it bitterly, half turning
away from her, so that he did not see
the girls quick, involuntary motion to-
ward him. He WAS still half Turned