Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1911-12-28


Three months-four months?" The
girl leaned forward eagerly.
Well, hardly think 80. want
to get established before the summer
is too far advanced"
oh" A pause 80 you're going
into business?"
"Ye-es; that is, think So"
"Is that so personal that you didn't
want to tell me?" There was an ac-
cusing emphasis on the me"
Douglass did not attempt to answer.
One of my girl friends doesn't
know just what to do, William. You
see, she's-she's-in love-"
oh"
That oh was dreadfully noncom-
initial, William. Aren't you inter
ested?"
Why, yes, certainly, Miss Anne"
We'll, she doesn't know whether
the young man isis in love with
her or not"
Cant she tell?"
She isn't sure She thinks he likes
her, but"
"Yes?"
"Oh, there are complications, Will
liam. She is rich. and the young man
is poor. She feels he's to proud to
speak"
oh"
We'll, what is she going to do7
She's-she's cried herself to sleep,
I'm afraid, a good many times; and
yet there doesn't seem to be any way
to make him speak"
William looked up. The dark eyes
gazed innocently and perplexedly into
his own.
There isn't any way, I'm afraid
he said, with an unconscious sigh.
IF the man has self-respect, he can't
be a fortune hunter. He must make
his own way before he can ask the
girl to be his wife"
She's thought of that, too. But II
seems 80 foolish! They may have to
wait years, and grow old and with.
cred while he makes a lot of money
they don't need. Isn't marriage an
equal partnership? Why hasn't the
wife the right to bring money to the
union as her husband%
From an impersonal standpoint,
she has," replied William, but II
were that young man l would feel
as he feels. He cannot in honor
speak while his motives could be
misconstrued. Her friends would
say"
Bother her friends!" Miss Anne
looked confused when she realized
the emphasis she had put on the
three-words, but only for a moment
Then she added That's the way
she feels. She says she has a right
to her own happiness. no matter
what people think or say She is
satisfied he is not a fortune hunter;
that he is upright and honorable
and the man nature intended as her
mate. Why can't he be sensible and
speak"
She leaned forward in her chair
her lips dropping in childlike per.
plexity Douglass got up hastily and
backed away. He did not want to lose
his carefully acquired grip and make
fool of himself. That's why he was
leaving Thornybrook-to keep from
making fool of himself. He fumbled
his hat and turned to the door.
He can't, that's ALL" declared
Douglass, when his hand had closed
on the knob. ITS an impossibility
Miss Anne. If you were in his place
you'd realize" He stopped; be
was confusing the other mans case
with his own.
Don't you want to know who the
girl is?" asked Miss Thornton, un
steadily. She had risen and her fin
gers were intertwined
why, yes" Douglass somehow
felt the name Of that girl to be the
most important thing in the world
The robins had ceased their billing
and cooling to listen. But he feared
Miss Anne's words would be drowned
by the humping OF his heart
"It's-it's-" Her voice died away
And then 1t began again, broke ant
went on to a triumphant conclusion:
"Oh, Billy, you stupid, stupid boy!
lists Anne Thornton!"
Douglass stared unbelievingly, saw
in her face what he had never dared
to hope to see and dropped his hat
He rushed back.
The next moment she was in hi
arms, half-laughing and half-crying.
How I've longed to call you Bill
| ly!'" she said.
And how I've longed to call yol