The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-11-28

r 'Sf
Am l in your way now?" I asked
meekly. Stanisford growled under his
breath.
You know what 1 mean" he said,
saVagely. Somehow, l can't win the
girl when you're around. You're a
I went to the mirror and regarded
myself refiectively. Where do you
see it"" l said.
Stanisford took no notice of my
fippancy. Evidence that he was deep
ly in earnest.
marked. with great decision. This was
You know 1 can't leave town"
said severely.
You can if you want to. Lock here,
didn't you say you'd be my sworn ally,
and do all in your power to bring
about the match? Before you ever
saw Winlfred, didn't you promise to
help me in any possible way? And
now, when l ask you to do a little,
simple thing like going out of town,
and taking a rest, you refuse. / don't
need your active assistance just now;
in fact, | think l can manage much
better without you. Now, why can't
you leave town."
That was aquestion. / had but one
| good reason, and dared not tell it.
Il have a presentiment that I ought
to remain" | said weakly. You may
need reinforcements in the first skir-
mish."
I'll send for you if l do" he growled,
uncompromisingly.
And then, too, Winifred-'
Miss Loves, if you please"
20, pardon; you said Winfred.'
Il should, and you should not. en-
practically"
syTall Miss r ou,ae r,;rh+ VITO, ~,o >,
StanTsford got to his feet suddenly.
Il believe he said, you're in love
with her yourself"
Not hopelessly," 1 answered.
Perhaps you mean by that that she
has alreay accepted you?" he pursued,
ruthlessly.
20, no; not yet"
'Laurance," he said, soberly, you
don't care for the girl. Now, go, and
let me alone"
But" 1 protested. how can 1 leave
home just now"
You eason in a circle" responded
Stanisford. What earthly thing pre-
vents your going and staying for
ever, though l only ask of you a few
weeks a~bsence?"
"My-my family" said I. How could
break the family circle on Thanks
giving day, when we are won't to
gather round the festive board"
BAH" broke in Stanisford, unfeel-
ingly. I'll wager your family will be
greatly relieved to nave you gone"
Il fear you do not appreciate my
Importance in the household," ventured
l. Stanisford looked black. Then he
laid down his book and came close to
me. l shrank at the ena in his
eyes.
Don't slap me-" pleaded.
"Laurance," he began. listen to me
nyIn W ~ nrN - y---n
the utmost Importance that you should
be out of town Thanksgiving day. l
will tell you a secret. Miss Loves is
giving a Thanksgiving dinner"
Now. this was the reason I couldn't
leave town.
We'll, what's that got to do with it,"
I asked.
She is giving the dinner to her i'm
mediate friends, idiot"
Am / not immediate? 2"
Stanisford dropped hopelessly on the
couch.
1T is like trying to explain to an
intelligent stone WALL" he murmured
Stanlsford started to say something,
then cleared his throat and growIed,
Anywhere"
7 sat down to think the matter
over. Here was Stanisford, my good
friend, desperately in love with Miss
LOWSS- L lldu GOue I'LL III my
power to help along his suit-at least,
l had gone to call on Miss Loves sew
eral times each week for the express
purpose of clarifying Stanisford. How
was to blame when. one night after
a half hours uninterrupted eulogy of
Stanisford, Miss Loves had turned red
and exclaimed:
Il believe Mr.. Stanisford is a perfect
prig."
I told Stanisford about her blushing
and he took it as an excellent omen.
| really hadn't the heart to repeat what
she said about his being a prig. He
wasn't by any mean He was mex
pressibly worse than I had painted him.
Ills virtues, like mine, Were chiefly neg
alive.
Well, here was Stanisford, asking me
to leave wv just before Thanksgiving
and eat my solitary and most likely
unpalatable dinner in a strange hotel,
not to mention missing Miss Loves
dinner n the football game, which
promised to be Of unusual interest. It
was too much for human nature to. en-
dure. Still. / wanted to do the right
thing by Stanisford.
lis it absolutely essential that I leave
town." I queried. Couldn't / quietly
and unobtrusively eat my simple little
thanksgiving dinner at home and then,
dressing myself most unpretentiously-
couldn't I sneak in among the crowd
to see the football game?"
II you are here" said Stanisford IN
r~elentingly, she'll feel compelled to-
ask you to her dinner"
oh. not necessarily" I said. 1t
seemed too cold blooded to explain that
I had already been invited several DAYS
ago.
Yes she would, She has such a con-
science, you know She'd think you'd
feel hurt about IT.
oh, tell her I sflan't mind In the
least" responded ], generously.
INC, no! 1t wouldn't do. Come. row.
III help you pack,
Your magnanfmity," said /, sis only
exceeded by your u-nself1shness. BY
Joye! have an idea"
Don't let 1t get away" said my
companion, ungraclously.
Couldn't I be sick?n"
Yes, die" said Stanisford.
Why couldn't I stay and be invited
and at the last send word that
I was taken suddenly ill-and then Won
can have your Thanksgiving elmer
without me and I'll have mine in peace
at home"
e"Th0t might do. said Stanisford.
VIII you be satisfied with that?', /
persisted. II want to do this thing up
right while I'm about 1t. VIII that
arrangement absolutely be satisfactory
TO your"