The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1911-03-10

40 plainly puzzled. As the others-the
waiting list-they went their happy
ways blandly unconscious of their
sometime designation. Bob's class
came and went in a procession of the
perfect. also the imperfect, but n
that made the house gay every min
ute. Barclay vas older than the 9TH
ers by five years-Bob had been his
adoring flag at school, and no later
friend had aver superseded.
He had placed Ada Noon as Mrs.
Breton's protege. in spite of the fact
that her frocks had always a touch OF
distinction. She wore the simplest
ornaments, but they always became
her wonderfully-her string of. big
coral beads, for example, accented
wonderfully the soft curves Of her
neck.
Looking at the beads, Barclay
caught himself wondering how GER
tain red rubies. in his family strong
box, would look in their place. The
speculation startled hint wal
wholly new. Could he be really fall
ing in love? And with a girl to whom
he was evidently no more than part
Of the landscape? He asked himself
the question:, w%rathfully. Then he
went off for a long day alone. At the
end of 1t he knew. Ada Noon had
come to mean something than
the rest of the world to him. He
meant to marry her, whether or no.
1t pleased him to think her face was
her fortune-rather her pretty wit.
her poised and charming personality.
His mother would make a scene OF
course-now for years she had been
impressing 1t upon him that, being
rich, he must marry money In order
to be richer. One needed to grow n
the grace of wealth, she thought
and active business ventures meant
risk. Just two things were safe
matrimony and economy. She hated
economy-it is hard, on eighty thou
sand a year-so she was as eager to
have her son bestow himself properly
as he had been loath to do it.
He said nothing of all that when
he told his love next morning-so
early the dew roses had barely
thought Of opening. Ada was out
among them, bending to kiss their
unfolding buds.
He came behind her, caught her In
his arms, and said a trifie huskily:
Its a shame to waste such things
as you're in a kissing mood, why kiss
me-"
At first she surged away from him,
but after one long upward look, stood
still, her breath coming fast, red
roses. all her own, flaming in her
cheeks.
Barclay put a hand under her chin,
fitting it until he could look to the
depths of her eyes. What he saw
there satisfied him-he bent and
kissed her, then said, trying to laugh:
1--WE v meant this for earnest
not in the ieast-but fate took the
game into his own hands and played
to suit herself"
"Fate is an incorrigible jester-but
not always a cynic one," Ada
answered, with an enigmatic smile.
She slipped from Barclays embrace
he still held her hand.
"I'm going to proclaim things at
breakfast" he said. after that I
shall send a telegram-to my mother,
Of course. She will be amazed-as
much so as dear Mrs. Breton will be
delighted"
Again Ada smiled that odd but
Tranquil smile. Barclay understood
It six hours later. His dispatch read:
"Going to ~marry-wire blessing. All
for love-but she is worth a lot more
than millions. Announce engagement
everywhere names Ada Noon
she'll do credit to the rubies."
Mrs. John Barclay was the soul Of
thrift, but she did not wait to send
a fafty.word answer at reduced rates.
Instead, her son got this, as soon as
the wires could fetch it: blessing
twice over. You have made me very
happy. Miss Noon is, indeed, worth
more than millions-called up Fat
Fryer, u trustees, and they assure
me she is sole heir to at least ten
with expectations. Am having the
rubies reset and have ordered a tiara
of the newest fashion. Fetch home
your treasure quickly to
"Your Adoring Mother"
Bob, looking over Barclays shout
der, laughed uproarously at his idols
change of countenance.
I'm glad you didn't know, old
man. Granny swore everybody not
to tell" he said when he could speak.
"Ada knows you didn't know-and
you two were really made for each
other. You can afford to be mis-
understood-of course the world will
say your match Is the result of some
thing like an attraction of gravity.
But v you mind"
II WON'T. Barclay said. signing
deep down. "But it's rather tough,
Bob l am marrying solely for
love-"
"And he won't fly out Of the win
dow because riches come in at the
door," Mrs. Breton said sagely, COM
ing I'm behind them. "If j had not