Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1911-09-28


the mountains or the seashore. knew
a place In the former that was per
fectly lovely. but the hotel was bad.
Then l knew place at the seashore
where the hotel at which should wish
to stop was excellent but a woman
went there every summer whom l de-
tested. and l couldn't bear the idea of
being shut up with her under the same
roof.
The 1st Of July came round, and
had decided nothing. Wilbur asked
me one day what l had done. and
said ! had been unable to settle on
anything I asked him to decide the
matter.
II know nothing about summer no
tels," he replied. I've never had oc-
casion to use one Of them. You must
settle on the place"
He had arranged for his outing for
two weeks from the 18th Of July. Just
before the time to go be was very busy
getting ready to be absent from bust
ness. and | didn't see him for a week
Then he came around on the evening
of the 14th Of July and asked where
we were going | told him | didn't
know
There was a fine March wind be-
tween us. told him that | had en-
gagged myself to a strong character
that might have some one to rely on
in such matters. and he asked me what
matters | intended to take under my
own care. This made me very angry.
! told him that I could make up my
mind quick enough If l wished to, and
/ settled on the place in a twinkling
He asked me to name 1t, and l told
him would drop him a line. The
next morning at 8 took a train for
the mountains. A few days after
reached my destination l wrote him
where l was and that should be happy
TO see him. He wrote that he had de-
cided to give up his vacation since he
was very busy and really should not
take the time.
This came pretty near making per-
manent break between us. / was
miffed at having been called upon to
take the initiative. But our betrothal
survived 1t. and when I returned to
the city all was made up between us.
1t looked as II we should have April
weather after this, but one evening an
other wind came up good deal fresh
er than anything we had yet expert
enced and ended In tornado. A GER
tain performance at the theater was
to be given that ! wished very much
to see. I bought two seats and tele-
phoned Wilbur that l wished him to
go with me to the play. He replied
that he had business engagement for
the evening and couldn't go. l asked
him what I should do. and he replied
through the telephone. mind you, so
that the whole world could hear-that
he was too busy to advise me and that
n intended to rely on him through
life for little things like that he would
carry load
That provoked me. Before had
time to get over my hun had tele-
phoned to Ed Tucker and asked him to
be my attendant He said he should
be delighted I had no sooner receiv-
ed his answer than I was called up by
Wilbur to say that he had succeeded
in putting or his business engagement
and would be with me for the theater.
How could be expected to know
what to say to him at once and over
q telephone? / didn't say anything
but "WelP' or "All right" or some
thing like that, and he. being in hur-
ry, shut me OF.
couldn't make up my mind what
to do In the matter. being rather weak
about such things, and half an hour
before 1t was time to go to the play Ed
drove up in carriage and. carrying a
bouquet Of beautiful flowers, ran up
the steps. I met him at the door and
took him into the drawing room.
was about to explain the position to
him when along came Wilbur. When
he saw Ed his face looked like a thun-
dercloud. He said nothing to Ed, but
he said good deal to me. As soon
as he paused tried to explain to him
that was engaged to go to the the
alter with both Of them. At that mo-
ment he caught sight of the flowers
lying on the table.
He looked from them to Ed, a fright.
full light shining in his eyes; then from
Ed to me. He was the madaest man
ever saw, and yet was not at fault
at all. I hadn't even had a chance to
accept or decline the gift.
You should have heard his talk. He
told me that he had feared I was a
very weak woman and he had found
me not even the consistency Of mush.
! stood 1t as long as I could, getting
madden every minute. Suddenly l
pointed to the door and. with flaming
eyes and cheeks. said:
Cor
He subsidized and started in to say
something pleasant. but repeated the
word "Go" and said It again and
again till my voice was like a trumpet
sounding a charge. l became 30 In
furiated that he feared / would throw
something at him and went out, say.
Ing he should call again when I had
cooled.
by Jover' cried Ed i've long