The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-01
He Was
Hateful

Don't talk to me, Ernie, tell
you'll" 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
| jected Ernie. Il haven't had chance!
| It's been so long since l heard the
sound of my own voice that don't
know now whether it's myself talk
ing! Is it,"
1T doesn't make any difference"
| retorted Miss Zimmerman with In
| finite scorn. when person makes
as much noise as you do and says as
little it 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! l 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 l was call
ing you pet names the last half hour ?
If that's your idea Of 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, II am surprised
The worst Is what you say about
there being no hope Of your ever get
ting over it"
"Never!" cried Miss Zimmerman
81 know I have an easy going DISPOSE
ton and people think I'm meek, but
when l get stepped on l know 1t and
l have spirit enough to resent it 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, pif1e!" 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 l 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 misfortune!"
I'm glad" remarked Ernie with be-
coming gratitude, that you are sorry
for me, Evangeline! Pity, you
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! l didn't know it was possible
for me to be so downright furious at
a man as l am at you! ="
YES" said Ernie, as though con-
WINGED at last against his will. Il can
see that you are actually annoyed.
didn't believe it at first, but"
"Annoyed!" almost shrieked Miss
Zimmerman. Land O. goodness! Is
this your idea of annoyed? Why, If
I got any madden I'd exploded! You
needn't try to be funny, Ernie Casey!"
II feel far from funny" declared
Ernie. I'm all of a tremble, 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 up on
and I haven't bit of doubt that IN
have nervous chill when 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 l just endure it,"
"Well, l wish you'd go home!"
snapped Miss Zimmerman, feeling for
her handkerchief with her chin very
high in the air. "Good-bye, Ernie
Casey"
Ernie, rising, walked over and look
ed down at her sternly. See here,
Evangeline," he demanded, "just what
are you so mad about, anyhow"
For an instant Miss Zimmerman
glared back at him. Then a little be-
wilderment drifted into her eyes. She
clutched the table back Of her and
swallowed.
IL can't seem to remember she
said vaguely. We've said so much
since that guess I'm all mixed up!
But, anyhow, had perfect right to
get lots madden than did and I'll do
it again If you do what you did to
make me mad, whatever it was-and
look out, Ernie Casey-you're knock
ing all my hair down-no-o-o, won't
k-k-kiss and make up-1 won't"
well, I did, anyhow" said Ernie,
calmly, land that's what really
kr