The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-07-26

| Because II you haven't and you are |
so disposed you are requested to come
over to the Hastings and according |
to my recent considerations am in
clined to think that you had better
come. In fact he said, looking d.
rectly at her. I've an idea. Now
listen"
"Oh. you needn't ask me. Robert
We settled that definitely the other
day. and wouldn't do anything to
mislead your father or to let him
think"
That we either of us cared fig"
Robert finished for her But listen.
You heard what Mrs. Jones said
about Thompson tact. How would a
little of 1t work with US? II we pre-
tend we do care-both of us-just for
a little while: and father begins to
think that I'm actually in love with
you he'll probably get that crazy idea
about our marrying each other out
of his head"
II see," said Jean meditatively.
Perhaps-but," she added with quick
! interest, what would we have to
do?"
We'll, I'd have to call on you-say.
about three evenings a week. You
? can just go on doing whatever you
, want to, and I can read. Put me in
. the garnet SO long as you let me stay
I, in the house. And than | must always
: be anxious to have you over and be
t perfectly delighted when father asks
me to go places with you. You won't
a have to do anything, Jean Just let
u go bit and I'll give you points"
K $50 then I'm to come over to din
e ner tonight"
Yes, and I'll have to call for you"
: But. Robert. are you going to let
!, your father think we're engaged"
7 Might as WELL" answered the
young man. There's no point in do
J ing it half way"
That night after the other guests
at the Hastings house had left, Rob
ert stood talking in the hall with Jean
Gilpin, and as his father watched the
girl smiling into the young mans
face. and saw his son gathering the
folds Of her evening cape around her.
Robert whispered
Il didn't imagine you could look
like that, Jean. You're wonderful"
AS Robert seized his hat to take
her home. his fathers face showed
look of disapproval I'll take Jean
home tonight. Robert" he said. Il
7 have an errand, and there's no use OF
: our both going
u But Robert insisted and Jean
n looked entreatingly at him. So the
Z, two men. father and son. took the girl
hone. AS they left her a few minutes
later. Robert held her hand at least
: three times as long as he had ever
held girls hand in his life.
Jean and Robert had kept their
agreement for almost week and sc
successful had it proved at the out
;" set that he had called every evening
retiring, to be sure, TO the seclusior
e. of an available sitting-room. where
with his pipe and books, he had
T. passed the time, free from Jeans in
trusion, but not entirely to his OWE
C. satisfaction.
He was leaving after his fifth call
st going quietly through the hall to the
OF front door at the stroke of IL as he
er had done on the previous evenings
Or when he encountered Jean waiting fol
ie him.
y Goodnight Robert" she said
~ shaking hands with him, and theI
e. quickly taking her hand from hin
~ she looked at him with flushed
- cheeks.
"a Don't you suppose we've played
NJ this sort of thing long enough? You
~ father has been entirely converted
!, hasn't he?" she asked.
,n Why, yes, Jean. he has" the youns
10 man said hastily. The fact is he for
is babe my coming here any more. Their
&c when l said something about our be
- ing engaged-as We agreed-he wa
,, perfectly frantic.
n, Then we can stop. can't We?
N Jean asked.
r Just because he says so, o
10 course not, Jean. I'll continue to cal
r. on you whenever | care to-that is
10 if you don't positively object. Do yol
n. think I'm going to be ordered abou
Mt like child? I've stood it Ion.
70 enough. First l was told to MARI,
as you, whether l would or not; and now
n. just as I'm getting to know you il
e. natural sort of way. I'm told to stol
lie coming here. to forget you entirel,
-"
r. Robert stopped short, his hand
nj clenched with anger and excitement
d. JEAN" he continued. taking her han,
as in his. I'm going to make you Low,
". me and I'm going to marry you any
I'd way. | never half knew you till yol
r. let go a little"
And it was so easy to let 60 Rot
le ert," Jean whispered. but she got n,
a, further
The front door. left ajar accordin,
of to the Gilpin ideas of hospitality, haS
Id suddenly opened and Mr.. Hasting,
IS presented himself. Robert, hot Will
IN anger, faced his father with Jean.
r. hand still in his.
20 Mr.. Hastings attempt at gravit,
tn was useless. BLESS you. my chill