Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-07-22

this was what the father feared. If
his son We're to wed Laurena he would
naturally go to live with her people.
as her father was dead.
If Charlie left home his father would
be obliged to hire two men to do what
they had managed between them. with
the assistance of the mother. 1t was
not so much that he had anything
against Laurena as that he did not
wish his son to leave him that had
actuated him until now. He had
talked frankly with his son and told
him many things. all calculated to
wither any budding sentimentalism.
So now Charlie had entered the par
lor With heavy feet. He knew what
was to come. and he knew what had
gone before-yes. only a short half
hour ago. No wonder his heart was
heavy.
"Well?" said his father, eying him
with diSconcerting scrutiny.
Charlie held his peace. In fact, he
could not trust himself to speak. His
eyes were cast to the floor and filled
with ~unspeakable despair. He could
not trust his voice. His father sat
down with his aching feet on the floor
instead of the stool and again uttered
the II word that meant so much:
"Well?"
Charlie was so handsome, with his
brown curling hair, his gentle brown
eyes. his big frame and tanned cheeks,
that the old man felt a thrill of pride.
but be never allowed that to check his
determination to have from his son the
last word of what be knew he was
trying to withhold. Finally Charlie
looked up once at his father. whose
sharp glance showed him the misery
in the soft brown eyes of his son.
Again he said "Well?" adding that he
was listening. Finally Charlie lifted
his head, saying:
You need not worry. 1t is all Off"
whats all off? Tell me the hull
thing from first to last"
I'VE finished our practice, and all
started for home, and the rest hurried
off. but Laurena and l, we walked
along slower. She said she had ONE
S13iliS w Soy NLlsS S3S NoohN w poS o1'
So we walked along"
You said that before. 1t isn't to be
supposed that you rode along or flew
along or sailed along. Go ahead"
well you know. father. that l am
fond of Laurena. 1 told you from the
beginning
And so you've been and asked her,
y-n,, nrrofaf,1l how flor oil iva caiS
and DONE
NO: 1 haven't asked her nor told
her. but l feel as though I should have
done so. We walked among the graves
and didn't talk much at first. Then
she said: Charlie, i want your advice.
We have been such good friends al.
ways"
Yes, l see. ! see. She thinks you
can be caught with such chafT. but 60
on. go ON"
Il said that we had. and then she
continued: You know that folks have
a habit of taking things for granted.
] am not Blaming any one. but we
have been going together so much-for
four years since We grew up-and now
Ii think ! must say that this can't
go on II longer. Bert Jumel asked
me to marry him. and I thought
would ask your advice before answer
him."
"a trap. a trap" shouted the old
man, and You fell into it like the soft
ninny that you are. Didn't | tell you
that I'd searched out her family or
both ci1oc +n c,, ;f tbnr 1,o5 o,- 1o
Scending ailment and that her father
died of a decline: Didn't I go to their
house and eat myself sick twice to
find out nov they cool and set table
and they're all eXtravagant? And hel
SperritS is too oneve One time she
is full of laugh and the next looks al
in the dumps. She may know how tC
sew and keep house. but she cares
more about singing than anything
She's too Tightly. / Won't allow you t.
have her. won't. I tell you. Wha
did she do them"
"Why. nothing" replied Charlie mis-
erably. for we stood Il minute still
and silent. | didn't dare to tell bel
how felt till had seen YOU. and SHIT
leaned against ulu MIR. Stander'S monu
ment and cried.
Yes. she's ar1tui. sly and smart
l give her the credit. but she's got N,
to deal with She got tired of waitin:
for you to bite at her bait and jus
give it a twitch to make you snap a
it. | am older thar you and know al
about women. You have to live al
the rest of your life with the one yo1
choose, and it stands you in hand t
look about and see them all-weigl
every ones faults and advantages. !
$ pretty face amt all, nor is a goo,
singing voice. Now, I've pointed GU
e to you the failings of all the other
d from the time you began going out il
y society. Jennie Tubbs was too youn
S and too weakly. Annie Stark too silly
s Mary Blake too pretty and vain, an
so on, and none of 'em could cook O
take care of a house, and all Of 'er
r. was poor and had a raft of poor rela
TONS"
u The cd man stopped to take breatl