The Winslow mail., 1909-11-20

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 nGuired 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 a 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 cream lace gown
that night and-was ravishipg 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 tae evening,
You had every appearance of lik-
ing it, said Bobby in a rage as he
was taking Beth home
II did Like it." she replied "I liked
It very much I 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
o what is sometimes called a run for
his Honey.
''T am glad he's gone," acknowl-
edged Bobby, one evening about
week after the eastern man had de
parted.
Are your" 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 moDopolize 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 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 to
write often when one was rOughing it..
II 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 did
not write enthusiastically to thank
him.
At eight o'clock the first night after
Bobby's return he rushed up Betb 3
front steps. He wanted to sec her
very badly He had been gone for six
weeks.
Beth's mother was sitting alone on
the porch.
'How is Beth?" eagerly asked Rob-
by. And where is she?"
"She was married last night" said
Reth'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 moi
have to grow up snd get married.
Alone in his room that night Bobby
amoked long and hard. He thought OF
many things. When he finally SHOOK
the last ashes out of his pipe he said
one word to himself,
Fool" said Bobby.
He was feeling very wretched.-Cht
eago Daily News.
A Distressing Sight.
stingv man is bad enough. hu+