The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1911-10-05

Whenever Isabel Wysp came upon
Gerald Gherkin's name in a newspaper
she would blush a little and hand the
paragraph over to her husband with a
tantali2ins little smile that Henry In
terpreted as: "Just think, I might have
been Mrs. Gherkin.
Henry had never met Gherkin, for
Isabefs acquaintance with him had
happened ages ago-before I met you,
Henry" So, of course. it was absurd
for Henry to nave any little feelings of
jealousy against the man n it was
always to refer to him as your old
friend, Pickle"
Whom do you think is in town-and
called me up on the 'phone?" asked
Isabel, mysteriously, n evening at
dinner.
II ever was a good guesser," said
Isabel tried to look unconcerned
WHY never was SO surprised in my
lfe-and at first I didn't recognize the
Yolce-he's so anxious to meet you,
Henry
Who's Hep" interrupted Henry.
"Ge-Gerald Gherkin. You remem-
Der hearing me speak of him" Isabel's
voice trafled off.
Pickles, eh?" Henry laughted. why
didn't you invite him up to dinner?'
Il did," admitted Isabel. "Tomor-
~" AiSHl. " ike TlIn, henry.
Perhaps I ought not to have done it
You know it might be just a little en-
barrassing. On the other hand, not to
invite him would nave seemed so In
hospitable. He's an old friend from
home-even If once he was foolish
cacuSh to-:o@I felt SO sorry for him
at the time and I am afraid he thought
I was heartless-'
You did just right to invite him."
said Henry heartily. 81 can afford to
be generous to the poor chap. 1 got
you. you know!"
It's splendid Of you, Henry, to be so
nice about it," Isabel murmured,
gratefully. And please don't imagine
| have ever had the least little tiny re-
gret about turning him down even if he
IS handsome and-er fascinating and
because he has made a lot of money
and has become rather famous"
Henry's magnanimity toward his un-
successful rival was all on the surface.
All the following day he tried to steel
himself for the rdeal and tried to fig
ure just how civil he would have to be
under the circumstances. This Pickle
man would probably be elegantly thin
ana romantic looking and he would
eyes; He would feel like physically
hurting his feelings and instead would
nave to inquire solicitously: Wont
you have another piece Of chicken"
When Henry came home that even
ing lsabels toilette W. him another
white gowns when they went to part
les. In a stiff silence they awaited the
arrival Of the guest.
He came.
Why will fat men always sit down in
the frailest chair in a room2 Mr..
Snerkin said he never felt really at
nome in a place until he had broken a
chair. AS Henry Wysp helped hin to
his feet, roaring with laughter and
good nature, Henry had never felt
kinder toward a fellow man.
Nice little place you've got here"
sad MT. Gherktn. when he was sub
stantially settled in a Morris chair with
which had been especially recon-
mended. Going to have one like it
myself pretty quick, SO I'm sort of sit
ting UP and taking notice of such
things. Yep! I've decided to take the
fatal step myself He pried open his
watch at the back and passed it to
Isabel.
Isabel murmured some polite con-
CALCULATIONS n then looked at the pic
ture Of the %youngish woman In the
case. "She-she is very pretty" she
said with an effort.
She's sensible corrected Mr..
Gherkin. Nice level headed girl and a
bang up housekeeper. No nonsense
about her. Want you to meet her" Mr..
Gerkin rambled along about the prac-
teal prize he had won, until dinner
was announced.
When Henry Wysp urged some more
chicken upon his guest, there was moth
Ing forced about his cordially. At the
salad course they were calling each
other "Wysp" and "Gherkin" and swap
ping business experiences. Isabel sat
politely bored and as remote as Cape
Town. having given up trying to find
m trace Of the Gerald Gherkin-the
SLIM, poe~try-quoting young man-of
her first young lady days.
OF course, 1t was very comforting to
her conscience to know that poor
Gerald had not allowed her to spoil his
life. but-she had often sincerely hoped
that he would sometime meet some
nice girl etc. butt was much less
awkward, IN a way, for him to act
Just like any old friend from home, but
she was glad Henry liked him so
much: oh. 1t was infinitely better thar
II he had just sat and glowered at him