The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-01-30
WHY MABEL LOST HIM
BY BLANCHE HARPER.

man with the rece0ln8 chin 10 nlS
friend with the fuzzy bat. whether It
was my fault or not! 1t was just
bad luck! I'm hoodooed, that's what!'
81 thought you were asked over to
visit Mabel's family at their place in
the country" objected his friend with
the fuzzy hat.
~ was" admitted the young man
with the receding chin. And l put
it to you If that wasn't encourage
ment. When girls family let's her
invite a man for weekend doesn't
1t look as though everything was all
right? And If the girl didn't want you
couldn't she sidestep the invitation?
mabel wrote me nice letter when
she asked me and I considered the
question before accepting A man
doesn't want to commit himself Off
hand, you know. Girls are so fright
fully keen these days, and while
Mabel never seemed so you never can
tell. Still, l had always liked Mabel
pretty well, and you know where her
dad stands-he's got 80 much money
that they use 1t for kidding wood
So made up my mind that might
do lots worse. Besides, hated to dis
appoint Mabel resolved to ask her
to marry me and get 1t over with"
"Gee!" said the man with the fuzzy
hat In admiring tones. Il like to see
man with courage!"
Il was a little surprised said the
young man with the receding chin,
ito find when / 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 a few things
So l got Mabel to myself the very
first 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 1t.
tried to lead up gradually to what
had in mind, but she didn't seem to
realize the situation and always ran
me off the track. Finally l turned to
her in desperation and, throwing out
my hands, said"
"What?" breathlessly inquired his
friend.
well, whatever l said was CON-
pletely lost in the subsequent excite
ment," admitted the young man with
the receding chin. when | threw
out my hands l dropped the hose
naturally and the nozzle struck on a
stone 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 till evening,
but, of course, neither did Robson.
Naturally l sought her out to apollo
gize She had just taken a chair I'M
der the moonvine at one end of the
porch and said "OSl!" in a rather dis
appointed tone when she looked up
and saw me. 1t sounded as though
she had expected some one else.
Mabel l began, I can't tell you
how sorry l am"
Don't try she said. But l kept
on for an hour. Whenever any one
else walked toward the corner
hitched my chair around to prevent
the intrusion, so we were not dis
turbed Finally she rose and so did
I. l stepped closer to her and took
hnr hand hui t,,ot hop
softly she let out a 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
a chair. 1t was most annoying. But
l knew that fate could not defeat a
persistent man.
1.-THE next day all Of us went for a
walk, but despite my efforts l could
not get word with Mabel. / admired
her shyness. A girl can always feel
a proposal in the air, and 1t Is nat.
ural for her to throw obsacles In the
way. It only proves her interest
Finally / circled around and reached
stile ahead of the rest. planned
to be there when Mabel arrived and
help her over before Robson could
climb the fence and do 1t himself. II
worked beautifully, only as I bobbed
up smiling and lifting my hat l ran
plump into hornets nest in a
sassafras bush back of me-and
don't know who helped Mabel over
that stile.
Every one seemed to think 1t my
fault that Mabel was stung by several
OF the little beasts, too
Il made up my mind that would
have to write my proposal and send 1t
to her. But just before I-left her
for home 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 games! told you he
could play bridge when you wanted
some one to fill out your table, but l
didn't guarantee to chain him into a
chair! Haven't endured enough In
my constant maneuvers to escape his
attempts to propose to me, I've been
nearly drowned and poisoned by
hornets and my foot was smashed
trying to get away from him--and
Mr.. Robson ready to slay him at
sight! Go away. papa, and don't add
to my troubles!'
Now ! leave 1t to you II / didn't
serve Mabel right just to let matters
drop and not write that proposal?"
You did" agreed the friend with
the fuzzy hat-Chicago Daily News.