The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1911-02-10
The |: 'E ! ! ! ! | |
Adam Didn't Wait For Eve to
Offer Him the Apple.
By KEITH GORDON.


"How do you 60 about it?" was the
question that her eyes asked Of the ra-
diant landscape. Its oil very well to
say that a woman, If she has not
hump upon her back. may marry whom
she will. but how would she 60 about
itT
The scratching of a match broke the
stiffness, and her meditatiOns were sud-
denly precipitated from the general to
the concrete. She glanced where
mans form bulked in one of the huge
wicker chairs. With his hand forming
q screen he was lighting fresh cigar.
seemingly oblivious to everything in
life except that and journal on engi-
neering which lay in his lap.
He was her brothers best friend.
and she had known him for years, not
with much satisfaction. it must be con-
fessed. since he was VIGOROUSLY
"man's man." living in mans world
and regarding the rustic of feminine
skirts with something of the same feel
ing that he did the humming of mos
quito.
But he was good to look upon-so
good that sudden, quick resentment
shot through her heart at his indiffer-
ence. 1t assumed the likeness of per-
sonal affront. sort of insult to her
sex. 1t would serve him right IL some
girl should just make up her mind to
marry him and do it, too. before he
knew what he was about.
Meanwhile he had tossed away the
match and picked up the journal again
as imperturbably as If he were alone.
pair of half indignant eyes watching
him with combination of pique and
amusement.
1t certainly would serve him right.
her thoughts ran on, If some lady
should just wind him round and round
her finger. make him fetch and carry
at her beck and call, reduce him to
perfect mush of sentiment Something
in her steady gaze caused him to move
uneasily. then look up.
did you speak,"
He had the perfunctory manner Of a
person who knows he must keep guard
over himself or he will be guilty of
some remissness. A heroic resolution
to do bis duty was visible in his face.
mo" she drawled, Il didn't speak.
But If you don't mind very much
think I will. I'd like to ask you, for
instance. If you have ever had a la
dies .day?"
"A ladies' day?" he repeated help.
lessly. shaking off his eyeglasses with
characteristic movement. while his
tormentor watched him as If he had
been some sort Of specimen that she
had fmpaled upon a pin. Then a light
dawned upon him.
"You mean such as they have at the
clubs-a day when the place is given
up to your sex and other matters go
to the wall? Well. no. don't know
that I ever had"
Don't you think it is timer" she
ventured.
Possibly" he admitted, but he still
held the journal in way that sug-
gested well nigh unconquerable de-
sire to return to it. She stretched out
her hand. Reluctantly he handed 1t
over.
did 1t ever occur to you" she asked
blandly. ''that the creature who tempt
ed Adam SO successfully. who Is at
the bottom of everything. as it were
must he as-as intricate as your old
engineering problems?'
have always considered Adam
weak. very weak" was his evasive an.
swer. Men aren't like that nova.
days"
At these boastful words q resolution
that had been taking form in her mind
became full fiedged. She was inspired
with the sense of a mission. Her
neglected sex should find an avenger
In her.
"You think you wouldn't have eaten
OF the apple. then?'
There was a new note in her voice
1t was at the same time a challenge
and all appeal.
AS II 1t were something absolutely
new 1t came to his mind that girls
were delicate. helpless creatures. and
wave of tenderness for the sex swept
over him. Still he was very positive
that he wouldn't have eaten the apple.
and something in the soft, babyish, vet
dependent way in which she looked at
him caused him to explain at great
length why.
HAS talked fifteen minutes by the
clock" she was thinking in high glee.
but outwardly she was all deferential.
honey sweet attention.
'I'm sure he wouldn't have yielded
II he'd been like your was her earnest
comment when he finished speaking.
and at the words he was conscious of
pleasant responsiveness, a caressing
sense Of satisfaction as delightful as
1t was unusual. 1t was as If he were
growing taller, broader and more Sc
verely strong before her very eyes.
go back to your reading. I'm not
going to bother you another minute
She jumped up and. laying her hand
on his arm. finished ENORMOUSLY: "You
don't mind my bothering you. do your
i "A Qirl Ret1 80 tired NJ woman faIkV A