Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1912-03-05
He Was
: Hateful

Don't talk to me. Ernie. tell
you!" said Miss Zimmerman. heated
ly. after she had devoted fifteen min
utes to telling him her exact opinion
Of him.
But I'm not talking to you." OBJ
tected Ernie. 81 haven't had a chance!
It's been so long since l heard the
sound Of my own voice that I don't
know now whether it's myself talk
Ing! Ia it?"
1T doesn't make any difference"
retorted Miss Zimmerman with in
Unite scorn. when q person makes
as much noise as you do and says as
little 1t isn't necessary to bother won
dering who's talking. because nobody
listens, anyhow!"
"Wow!" said Ernie.
How do you soak 'em! Straight
from the shoulder! almost begin
to think that you're mad at mel"
Miss Zimmerman nearly choked.
"Mad!" she repeated. Have you just
got it through your head. Ernie Casey.
that I'm not making love to you? You
didn't think, did you, that I was call
ing you pet names the last half hour?
II that's your idea of a lady's way of
expressing undying affection, you're
behind the times. I'd have you know
that am mad, good and plenty! And
what's more, I'm mad for keeps!"
Well" said Ernie, 81 am surprised.
The worst is what you say about
there being no hope Of your ever get
ting over IT,"
Nrfn
II know l have an easy going DISPOSE
ton and people think I'm meek, but
when I get stepped on I know 1t and
l have spirit enough to resent 1t and
stand up for myself! And you needn't
! Sit grining there. Ernie Casey. It's
| serious!"
Now, Evangeline!" began Ernie,
cooling like a dove you pain me
| by"
"Oh, pifle!" interrupted Miss Zim-
norman. Pain your grandmother!
AS though you cared! AS though It
made the slightest bit Of difference to
| you If every girl on earth got mad at
you! You're just a paving block.
Ernie Casey, and I'm glad I discover
ed it in time! Why haven't you got
any more feeling In your heart-as
| for that, you haven't got heart! It's
| some kind OF a machine that keeps
! things running. Something like an
alarm clock. And how much more
convenient! 1t never disturbs you
when you do hateful things to other
people! l suppose that's why you
can't understand that the rest of US
are really human and can be hurt!
It's really your misfortunei"
I'm glad" remarked Ernie with be.
coming gratitude. that you are sorry
for me, EvangeIine! Pity, you
! know"
Sorry for you!" cried Miss Zim.
norman, agitatedly. I'm not wasting
any sorrow on you! There's people
that better deserve it! just despise
you! didn't know 1t was possible
for me to be so downright furious at
man as / am at you! i"
YES" said Ernie. as though con-
vinced at last against his will 81 can
see that you are actually annoyed. !
didn't believe II at first, but"
Annoyed" almost shrieked Miss
|
this your idea of annoyed? Why, II
I got any madden I'd explode! You
needn't try to be funny, Ernie Casey!"
81 feel far from funny" declared
Ernie. I'm all of a trembIe, I'm so
nervous! I'm not used to being Jump
ed at and eaten alive! Kind treat
ment Is what I've been brought I'D on
and | haven't bit of doubt that I'm
have a nervous chill when I get
| home!"
"You-you're brute!" choked Miss
Zimmerman. you don't care! You
just enjoy it,"
| Excuse me-" protested Ernie firm.
ly. you mean just endure it,"
We'll, | wish you'd go homel"
snapped Miss Zimmerman. feeling for
her handkerchief with her chin very
high In the air. Goodbye, Ernie
Casey"
Ernie. rising, walked over and look
| III