The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-09-07
The GIRL Ind The QUESTION
A. Henry Milton Thomas.


waving grain and distances OF green
meadow. With it's speed lever well
forward, the white charger had ceased
Its coughing and choking to settle down
to the steady purring Of contented
cat. There was no chauffeur-1ust
Fred Glenvalon and Hyacinth. all alone
in the big touring car. Wooded hills,
fields and farm houses floated by
serenely. To the man at the wheel 1t
seemed the logical moment.
you must know" he began. that
am very fond"--
Something that was happening ahead
gave him pause. A horse hitched to q
farm cart was making desperate
effort to do back flipfiap, but the har-
ness hampered him. Suddenly he re-
sumed all fours. and, after the manner
of such Anticipated devices as horses,
made q business like dash for the seat
OF alarm. Glenvalon tried to give him
right of way, but the horse preferred
trouble. The wheels of the cart ana
those of the automobile met at such
close range that the latter vehicle was
laid UP for repairs straightway.
For Glenvalon and Hyacinth 1t meant
q short cut on foot across FIELDS 10 the
aarches What he regretted was that
the mishap had not chosen to occur
have been enough. In that time he
could have finished his avowal and re-
ceived Hyacinth's answer He had the
delicacy not to return to the subject
now, with the girl in such nervous
state after the smash up.
But day or two afterward, when
they were having bareheaded ride to-
gether, he found what seemed to be
another logical moment. They had en-
tered the cleaning of wood. The
horses, left to their fancy, had dropped
into walk. The silence was toned
only by the light beats of hoofs on the
turf and the shrill whistle Of an unseen
quail.
You must know" he began, that I
am very fond of you. In plain truth
"Oh, ray saddles slipping!" she cried
out, and tie next instant Glenvalon,
| dismounted vas Juggling away at the
girth. {, der his breath. but none the
less expres..Vely he rated the groom
who had saddied the horse. Again the
spell was broken and the ride ended
without any incident Offering the
shadow of an excuse for a tender
avowal.
| Patiently he watched and waited for
a week One afternoon they were In
| his sail boat romping over the sunlit
bay to a beach where the Atlantic
played. 1t was a beat to windward In
4
long tacks was marked by long 81
lence between them With head
| thrown back, Hyacinth was gazing
dreamily into the speckless blue. 1T is
the moment Of moments" Glenvalon
told himself Then he began:
you must know that ! am very fond
OF you In truth, Hyacinth, T
| "Oh. it's breaking! It's breaking!"
she cried, springing up. This time 1t
was the peak Hayward. 1t parted, and
down slipped the gaff and san hanging
by the toppinlift, all in wrinkles.
| Damn it," Glenvalon's comment. I
beg your pardon" he said with the
next breath. If you'll hold the tiller
I'll see what can do. Keep her up to
the wind all you cam"
| He Skinned up the mast, one end OF
the parted halyard in his teeth, caught
the other length Of 1t on the way, rove
lit through the block, made fast the
ends with the right knot, then to the
deck again and hoisted the sail In re-
markably short order. On the run home
he thought once that another logical
moment had come, but 1t was not the
genuine thing, for 1t did not move him
| to speak.
Two days passed. Glenvalon walked
briskly on to the lawn Of the Larches
| In the morning. There was such a
grim look in his face that Hyacinth's
/
dered what was the matter with him.
Nothing allied him except that he had
sworn while walking over from his
place that today he would finish his
proposal though an earthquake had the
rudeness to interrupt.
| lily has gone to town." said the little
sister.
"To town." exclaimed Glenvalon, in
| a manner that was as good as saying,
I''What the devil has she done that for?'
Eyes. Shopping. We're in a dread
full state here for things, mamma says,
and she and Hy made off by the $780,"
There was another train at noon, and
Glenvalon was a passenger. This sort
of thing Is becoming a BORE" he in
formed himself, entering a cab at the
railway terminus in town. I'll speak
to her wherever find her and finish
the speech" But he did not stand by
that resolve. for he met her In the
elevator of the Gilded Hotel, after
dinner, with her mother and others. all
tcuddled together.
He seemed to be astonished to find
them In New York. "Oh, how do you
do?" he exclaimed, as the white and
gold room shot skyward.
4 Hyacinth's mother shook her head
YEARLY Speaking for one, I don't
Know how We do,Y she said "Midsum-
mer shopping Is. for example, not a
| VI Ccii. ~ 6ido yoa al Z
here For me, repose tonight and cour-
age tomorrow, for the battle Is not yet
tover."
"Twelve!" muttered the elevator
pilot, and she went to her apartments
| Glenvalon and Hyacinth assembled tc
lthe last station--the garden on the
roof. three hundred rect above the sum
softened asphalt OF Fifth avenue.
II suppose the whole shop will .opple
If I try 1t here" he thought. Don't
care II IL does. Now IL ever" They
desired neither ices nor music; at least
/. he did not and he led her away from
the tables with their mellow light OF
shaded lamps, the clack of tongues
They crossed a bridge that spanned q
dec, chasm between two wings Of the
building and discovered spot te
| which the strains of the orchestra
4 came with a muffled, far-away cadence
No one but the white-aproned walters
bearing trays of refreshments passed
that way.
isn't it perfectly enchanting!" she
exclaimed, looking down upon the
sparkling panorama of the city. while
her fluffy gown fluttered as It nigh,
have done on a seaside veranda. Fol
l'nct more than three seconds did he lei
her enjoy the picture. Then he began:
"Hyacinth, you must know ~
1 Crash! Bang! Thump!"
1t was only slipping waiter and ar
aralance Of crystal and china. With.
out looking round Glenvalon wondered