The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-12-12

either scholar or an athlete He
might have granted the latter accuss-
ton truthfulU. To have granted the
former would have been q frightfnl
lie, for he had only scraped through
college.
Well, 1 put Nell on as to his foible
for a while longer. then sadly snd sym
pathetically tapped my forehead with
my finger.
You don't mean" she said and
stopped.
only In one particular"
What Is ity' 81.
He has q mania for proposing mar
Rage"
Well. l declare! What. a singular
weakness! Proposes to any girl he hap
pens to meet?"
Not on your life! | have known the
girls he has proposed to. and they're all
bellies"
But how does he get out OF his pro-
posals? He can't marry all the girls he
asks"
"Oh. Ned's a diplomat at that He
4 uVts. ~ WY 1hey aS'NA
blame him. They can't"
HIN. I'd blame him"
you might not have a chance"
| Thank you very much"
! what for?"
Eliminating that he wouldn't be like
ly to practice his foible on me. But I'm
glad you warned me. IL he should I'll
give him piece OF my mind. you can
just depend upon that"
HE won't bother you. You see,
there's to be a lot of girls with us, and
you being the hostess
"Oh, don't talk any more about 1t. l
understand why you have told me. II
he should yield TO his mania while
here"-t
"One thing l wish you to promise me.
Don't breathe word OF 1t to any Of
the other girl guests"
She gave me the promise, and j left
her satisfied that had done all could
do IN the matter. II she didn't make
Ned Culberton propose To her then /
didn't know anything about feminine
human nature. And If he did 1 knew
he would stand by his proposal
We had a merry time OF 1t with our
sleighing parties-that was before au-
coastng and skating parties. besides
meeting at dinner every evening and
dancing or playing games afterward.
We had the house nicely decorat ted
with evergreens and a big Christmas
tree on which was gift for every
guest. During the festivities kept my
eye on Nell, and 1t wasn't long before
saw that she was going for Culberron
Ike a yacht with all its sails set. l ar
gued that If he didn't propose to her OF
his own accord and because he really
wanted her she would get him into a
position wherein his mania would be
sure to show itself-in other words,
she would set trap for him. Doubt
less, IL she succeeded In drawing him
into 1t. she would refuse his offer. but
then had wits, and II would be time
enough to exercise them when advised
Of the situation.
The holidays were not more than
half over when one morning noticed
at breakfast terrible constralnt be-
tween Ned and Nell The meal was
scarcely finished when Ned came to
me and said he had been suddenly
called away; must leave on the first
train; awfully sorry, but the matter
was imperative. Fortunately the last
train till noon had gone, and that gave
me time to get hold OF Nell and find
out what had happened. She told me
that Ned had been overcome by his
mania and added:
II was surprised. because You told
me 1t only affected him In the case OF
bellies"
Surprised be hangedv l exclaimed
you forced 1t upon him. However
there's no harm done. You know it's
his falling. You have no reason to feel
complimented."
do you suppose" she replied. toss
ing her head, that because be has a
weakness OF that kind he 10 never
going to fall In love?"
"Not In this case"
"How do you known
because he is going to leave at
noon. IL he had done the thing ration
ally he wouldn't act as he does. From
his manner and all that I'm sure this
is one Of his ordinary lapses. It's a
pity. He's fine fellow In other re-
spects." ....
The dialogue ended by my betting
Nell FIVE pounds of candy that she
couldn't keep Ned till Christmas day.
Noon came. and he didn't go. Another
day passed. and still he remained.
Meanwhile he was In II constant state
OF inquietude. apparently not knowing
whether he was on his head or his
heels. Nell. too. seemed to be getting
nervished up. and 1t was evident some
thing was brewing.
Christmas morning came. and we
were all wishing each other a merry
day OF 1t. except Ned and Nell. whom
i couldn't see and couldn't find. Pres
emily Annie, the maid. came to me
aud told me father wished to see me
I'm his sitting room upstairs. ! went
up there. and who should be with him
but the missing parties
my son." said father. Nellie has
given us a Christmas gift"
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