The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-12-12
ivnY MABEL LOST nIMI
sy BLANCHE HARPER.

;, Dy BLANCHE HARPER.
"T'll leave It TO you" said the young
-4nan with the receding chin to his!
friend with the fuzzy bat, whether It.
Nas my fault or not! It was Just
bad luck! I'm hoodooed. that's what"
II thought you were asked over to-
visit Mabel's family 1T their place In
the country" objected his friend with
the fuzzy hat.
II was" admitted the young man
with the receding chin. And put
It to you II that wasn't encourage
ment. When girls family let's her
invite man for weekend doesn't
It look as though everything was all
right? And IL the girl didn't want you
couldn't she sidestep the invitation?
mabel wrote me q nice letter when
che asked me and I considered the
question before accepting. A man
doesn't want to commit himself OF.
hand. you know. Girls are 20 fright.
fully keen these days. and while
Mabel never seemed 20 you never can
tell. Still. I had always liked Mabel
pretty we'll. and you know where her
dad stands-he's got 20 much money
that they use It for kindling wood.
So I made up my mind that might
do lots worse. Besides. I hated TO die.
appoint Mabel. resolved to ask her
70 marry me and get It over with"
"Gee!" said the man with the fuzzy
hat In admiring tones. II like to zee
. man with courage!"
Il was a little surprised" said the
young man with the receding chin.
ITO find when I got there that about
six other fellows had been invited,
and among them that Robson chap
that particularly obnoxious fellow
who never notices anybody, you know.
I resolved to show him few things.
30 I got Mabel to myself the very
arst day. She had the garden hose
turned on her pet flower bed and
rushed out to help her. She in.
sisted that she preferred to water the
flowers herself. but simply took the
hose away from her and naturally she
had to stay and watch me use Il, I
tried to lead up gradually to what I
had In mind, but she didn't seem to
realize the situation and always ran
me OF the track. Finally turned to
her in desperation and, throwing out
my hands, said"
Whatf" breathlessly inquired his
friend.
well. whatever I said was com.
Dletely lost in the subsequent excite.
ment," admitted the young man with
the receding chin. when I threw
out my hands I dropped the hose
naturally and the nozzle struck on q
eeone at such an angle that the full
force Of the stream hit Mabel In the
face and drenched her.
Il didn't see her again TIL evening.
but. Of course. neither did Robson.
Naturally I sought her out to apollo.
vie. She had just taken chair un.
ner the moonvine at one end Of the
porch ana said "Oh!" in a rather dis
appointed tone when she looked up
and saw me. It sounded a. though
abe had expected some one else.
Mabel began, 7 can't tell you
how sorry I am"
Don't try she said. But I kent
on for an hour. Whenever any one
else walked toward the corner II
hitched my chair around to prevent
the intrusion, 20 We were not dis.
turbed. Finally she rose and 30 did
y. I stepped closer to her and took
her hand. but Just % I said Mabel
softly she let out . shrek that
brought every one running.
My foot! My foot!' she walled.
You brought your great heavy heel
down on my foot and nearly killed
mel"
Then that Robson chap pushed In
ahead Of me and half carried her to
Q chair. It was most annoying. But
j knew that fate could not defeat q
persistent man.
THE next day all Of 10 went for q
wsdk. but despite my efforts I could
not get word with Mabel. I admired
her shyness. A girl can always feel
. proposal in the air, and It il nat.
ural for her to throw obstacles in the
way. It only proves her interest
Finally circled around and reached
stile ahead Of the rest. I planned
to be there when Mabel arrived and
help her over before Robson could
climb the fence and do It himself. Il
worked beautifully. only a. bobbed
up smiling and lifting my hat I ran
plump into q hornets nest in q
passafras bush back Of me-and II
don't know who helped Mabel over
that stile.
Every one seemed to think Il my
fault that Mabel was stung by several
Of the little beasts, too.
7 made up my mind that I would
have to write my proposal and send Il
to her. But just before left her
Tor home I accidently overheard
Mabel and her father talking.
Good gracious!' Mabel told him.
Don't blame me II he has kept out Of
all your bridge gamesi I told you he
could play bridge when ycu wanted
A.