The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-06-20
By LOUISA FEM

winter. WlaL 90 you Lllnk OF MIN :
Myra had never heard him talked
over by any friends, and the sensation
was distinctly odd.
ooh, Harry Winter" said the other
visitor, and she gave little half-con.
temptuous laugh and shrug. well,
Mrs. Carr, I should hardly describe
him as an interesting specimen of the
genus. There's something about him
that irritates me. You never can get
anything out Of him. l never heard
him say anything but the most sims
pie commonplaces, if he speaks at all!
AS a rule, he does not talk. A man
who has knocked about the world as
he has can't have much in him when
he is silent like that"
ooh, WE'LL" she said, in a tolerant
way, II don't think you do the poor
young man justice. I believe he is an
awfully good sort. I believe his fans
lily think no end of him, but he cer1
tainly does not shine in society,""
"Shine!" echoed her friend. Shine!
What word to use in connection with
young Winter. Ha! ha! hal"
Myra sat speeches.. She wanted
to CO. In her rage she wanted to
seize the last speaker and shake her.
But there was fascination that held
her motiOnless.
Mrs. Carr Joined in the laugh.
well, I admit he is dull He is the
kind of man cannot imagine in love,
and there are not many men one can
say that about"
Myra held her cup in grip that
nearly broke it, but did not move.
well, think can imagine it,
said the other. "He would fix on q
commonplace person and ask her in
a commonplace way. There would BID
no romance about it. Oh, can picture
the scene!-the commonplace-ness Of
it!"a '.' >''
3,,: II think" said Mrs. Carr, you have
used the right word. One can sum
up poor Harry Winter in the one word
commonplace" i
Myra rose to her feet. She could
always act, like most Of her sex.
Interesting as this u.s." she said to
her hostess, II an afraid I must bd
going, Goodbye"
AS she went she picked up bool
she had left in the hall, and was soon
out in Victoria street, walking fast in
the direction of the Abbey.
Mechanically she made for one of
her favorite spots. By way of Great
George street and Birdcage Walk she
approached the lake in St. James
Park. 1t was very quiet, with loiterers
about, so Ale found a seat near the
ornamental water and opened her
book. 1t was a volume of Browning's
shorter poems, but the letters danced
before her eyes and formed other
words - commonplace, commonplace,
commonplace.
Her thoughts took shape out of the
chaos. Perhaps-could it be posi-
BILE that it was true, and perhaps true
= of her too? She was the common
place person spoken of, no doubt, and
so a commonplace man had awakI
ened sympathy in her.
But there was another way to look
at it. Perhaps she was not common
place, and therefore he was was not
for her! 1t was astonishing how tho
careless gossip had shaken her. If
there was one thing she abhorred and
dreaded, 1t was the idea of the hum
drum future of the commonplace
Better by far a future alone with
her own ideas and interests than
shared and cheapened by contact with
such limitations. as !
What had been the attraction?
Conversations, words, even looks, rose
before her in quick succession. Only
two hours earlier she had been firm
In her intention to accept him when
the crucial moment came.
It could be done, and then she would
have time to think and to study him
among others; but Man proposes-''
She started, and even laughed, "a
the other meaning of those two words
flashed in second through her brain.
Harry Winter was before her. He
cenld not read her mind, or know what
had brought that quick laugh or the
nush OF color which just passed like
q wave over her face and left it white.
"Good afternoon" he said; '.they
told me you had gone to Victoria
street, and I guessed you would CONS
back this way. always do myself"
He calmly sat down beside her, and
she finched. She knew instinctively
what was coming unless she could
ward It of.
II It came, she would refuse him ab-
Solutely; but at least she would see
how far the two women were right.
and would know IL others had eauRed
his character better than herself. She
wished hi very proximity did not
make her nembls. Il was not sen-
sation abe wa uss6 TO. Was that
commonplace. tool