Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-11-12
@Re Favor Of lady

agreeable expression on her face.
"Hullo." I said, why aren't you
playing tennis?"
She stared at me extensively but
nade no reply.
"Eh?" I insisted.
Because my ankles are too thick"
she muttered.
I looked at her in amaZement.
III o don't wish to tell me the
reason" I said with some dignity,
"you can avoid doing so without being
either immodest. or-or untruthful."
For, as I lave said, she was swinging
in a hammock.
Mollie was now smiling; she had
been pleased to detect some germ Of
humor in her excuse.
Whats really happened, I suppose"
suggested. "is that you've had your
eye wiped"
AT tennis!" she cried Indignantly,
raising herself on her elbows.
Don't be so infantile," I protested;
as II l meant tennis!"
"Oh," said Mollie, you mean"
"Just that" I assented.
She struggled into a sitting posi-
ton.
D you think there's anybody in
this hole who could? Honestly"
I looked at her meditat1vely.
II haven't seen all the girls here
yet" I said at length.
NO." said Mollie scornfully, "be-
cause the others only come out when
it's foggy."
How depressing for them" I muir
INJURED. well, if it's not what I said,
what is it,"
"It's something quite different"
"Oho!" I said.
1.-TWO In particular" continued Mol
lie, swinging her feet to and fro.
with the other?" I suggested. "You
dnd It slow. don't you?"
"Oh. shut up" said Mollie; I'm
feeling rotten enough without your
beastly Jokes. I wish they'd both leave
me alone. I wish everybody would
leave me alone. For two pins I'd go
into a convent. Don't you think it'd
be nice in a ~convent?"
"Yes." I admitted, but don't know
sAos " ooi IL Iy d SlAlpA0I
means Of getting rid Of my admirers.
At first, anyhow. Wearing that green
frock of yours. for example. or doing
your hair over your ears, or"
you needn't be horrid," said Mollie
coldly; 81 know everything doesn't
suit me. And I only did my hair that
way once"
I said nothing. When one has moth
ing to say, silence is not always mad
visable.
Mollie glanced at me meditatively.
Then she whistled a bar or two under
her breath.
Besides" she said, striving to look
unconcerned, its not that which is
worrying me. either"
MOP"
"No." She bent back in the ham,
mock and swung herself gently to and
fro. 1t was an even chance that she
pitched over on the back Of her head.
I told her so.
I refrained from comment, and pres
emily she returned to her sheep-or
lambs Is, perhaps, an apter word.
"Did you ever read? I forget the
name of the book
who's it by"
Mollie wrinkled her brows for a re-
Elective moment.
II can't remember hat either,' she
admitted frankly. II was only a kid
when 1 read It,"
"If you knew the color of the cover
even." l murmured. However, 1 may
have read 1t. / can't say definitely I
haven't. anyhow. Why?'
Nothing" said Mollie; 'only /.
|. there was a girl in there, you know
who-1 know you'll laugh, you're so
mean" She had colored ever so slight
ly, and avoided my eye. Mollie is es-
sentially modern, and the intrusion Of
any save the most practical subjects
into conversation distinctly discom-
poses her. Therefore, 1 guessed some
thing of what she wished to say, and
went to her rescue.
Who had two supplicants for her
tavor-eh?"
Mollie nodded.
Yes. And-and they fought Git
and she promised the victor, the win
ner, you know, her"
"Glove." I said hastily. because real
ly some OF these beauties were most
indiscreet In selecting their favors.
1T was a bunch Of ribbons. as a mat
ter Of fact" said Mollie, with a stare.
ct might have been worse" said I.
well. what's the idea? Do o pro-
pose that"
They proposed it." interrupted Mol
lie in a mufied voice. Had I laughed
She would never have forgiven me.
IAN excellent idea," / said therefore.
'As a matter Of fact. I believe there
are some gloves in the house"
Stupid said Mollie recovering her
composure. It'll have to b my
dove"
~