The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-04-20
Slow Stephan

They all laughed at Stephan with
the careless unkindness of youth and
the burden Of their laughter was that
he was so slow. He even was slow
at resenting their fun at his expense.
Like most big persons, Stephan moved
ponderously and his speech was heavy
and slow. Something in his mild blue
eyes seemed to question, but that
was all the notice he took OF the
others taunts.
The reason that he had so little
time to devote to worrying over his
countrymen's opinion of him was that
Stephan's mind was taken up with
Rosa to the exclusion of all else He
had fallen in love instantly with her
pert little smiling face and charming
ways. Rosa darted across the line OF
Stephan's vision and left him gasp
ing, fguratively speaking. Sometimes
he gasped in reality-that was when
Rosa turned the batteries OF her
quick wit upon him and left his mind
whirling because OF his inability to
reply to one speech before she at
tackled him again. She laughed at
him along with the others, yet she
did not seem displeased at his de.
votion.
stephan was good looking, although
this fact had never occurred TO him.
He was modest, and allowed himself
to be elbowed out of the way by
others more audacious IL less worthy.
Rosa was always surrounded by ad.
mirers and ST. phan lurked dismally
In the background, patiently waiting
for a glance in his direction. Rosa's
glances came his way Mt times.
Stella, who was Rosa's most init
mate friend, jeered Rosa for being
fond of her slow admirer.
why do you waste time Oh Ste
phan?" demanded Stella. HE is so
big-and so slow! He never dances
or anything! He just sits and looks
at you'll"
Maybe that's It," Rosa answered
with toss of her head.
Stella shrugged her shoulders. Il
like some one who is gay, myself"
she said. Some one like josef
Rosa smoothed her apron and
frowned. Josef was very attentive to
her. He had sparkling eyes and a
little mustache. which he kept curled
and sharply pointed, and he made
pretty speeches on the spur OF the
moment and was very sure of him.
self. Rosa fiirted with Josef and led
him on, but that was merely girlish
coquetry, and she shrank from any.
thing more. or late Josef had
wearied her
Stella, watching Rosa, burst out or
a sudden. II suppose you think you'll
catch some one grander than Josef
but let me tell you"
Rosa turned on her. oh, josef"
she mimicked. why don't you mar
ry him yourself II you think he's so
fine? would II liked him as much
as you dol"
Stella, routed, retreated, scarlet OF
face and vengeful of mind Rosa, as
II to prove her power, was kinder to
Josef and paraded him before Stella
leniency on her part really pleased
him, for he seemed more natural and
sincere. Rosa even thought she had
misjudged him. There seemed more
to Josef than she had surmised-per-
haps he was not such a shallow man
after all.
Before she knew how It happened
she found herself engaged to marry
| Josef. All the other girls envied her
and the excitement Of preparing for
the wedding bore her up. Rosa as
sured herself that she was happy.
This usually was after she had caught
glimpse OF Stephan, in the back.
ground as usual, looking dumb devo-
ton at her.
Stephan had a very sober face these
days. The thought OF him irritated
Rosa strangely Once when Josef
spoke slightingly of him Rosa had
started to reply furiously, but bit her
lip and was sullenly silent. She knew
Josef would not care for her anger.
She had grown to feel that he did
not care deeply for anything.
Stephan had been asked to the wed,
ding, which was at the church at an
early hour, but he was not there.
He'd be late TO his own wedding"
some one laughed. 80 why not at
another's?"
Some one else was missing-the
bridegroom. At first there was only
restlessness on the part of those who
were waiting, then came whisperings
and surmises. After an hour q mes
senger was sent and reported that
Josef had not been at home for two
days.
Stephan arrived as they were trying
to calm the hysterical Rosa, desolate
in her wedding tinery. II was an hour
and a half after the time set for the