Holbrook argus., 1909-11-23

~IA-A ask her to marry The hostess laughed. She was used to Bobby's extravagaDces.
 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. "T am glad you over heard what I 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 corue. 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 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 lik- ing it," said Bobby in a rage as he was taking Beth home.
 q did like it," she replied. 'I liked 1t very much. l 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. Tn fact. the eastern man gave Bobby what is sometimes called a run for his ;Ioney
 T am glad he's gone," acknowl. edged Bobby, one evening about a week after the eastern man had de- parted
 Are you?" said Beth softly. Then am glad too"
 But Bobby did not take warning from the eastern man. When Beth said that soft little: Then I 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 a fishing trip. For six weeks he fished. He did not write to Beth very often; it was too hard tc write often when one was roughing it q should have to write her every day if we were engaged" thought Bobby
 He sent her his biggest catch. how ever. and felt considerable surprise and some resentment when she die not write enthusiastically to thanl him.
 At eight o'clock the first night afte, Bobby's return he rushed up Beth. front steps. He wanted tn sec hel very badly. He had been gone for si7 weeks.
 Beths mother was sitting alone or the porch.
 How is Beth?" eagerly asked Rob by. And where is she?"
 "She was married last night" sai' Beth's mother, quietly. They left ol a late train. They are going abroad for their honeymoon"
 "Married," exclaimed Bobby, duly "Married"
 Tt was all very sudden. Beth me him the week you left. He was eS oeedingly eager Think of 1t. Maj ried six weeks after they first say each other."
 Tears stood in Beth's mothers eye; She was not thinking of Bobby. Sh was wishing that daughters did nc have to grow up and get married.
 Alone in his room that night Bohb smoked long and hard. He thought ( many things. When he finally shoo the last ashes out of his pipe he sai one word to himself.
 "Fool," said Bobby
 He was feeling very wretched.-Ch cago Daily News.
 A Distressing Sight.
 4 stingy man Is bad enough. hI