The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-04-11
By EDITH v. ROSS !

had no conscience in such matters.
One evening after she had become
engaged to Tom Ashworth and while
he was calling upon her she said:
"Tom, l have been told by my friends
that you have the worst record OF any
man in society. . wonder If after all
will be safe in marrying you"
"That's very singular"
whats singular!
"Why, a friend of mine when ! an
nounced my engagement to you ex-
claimed, For heaven sake. you're not
going to tackle that. are you? And
when l asked for an explanation he
said ANY man who has made love to
her has before he got through danced
in bare feet on a hot stove.'"
1.-THE horrid wretch. to say such "a
thing"
She thought a bit, then with a very
serious air said:
'This is not a Irritation between you
and me-
Its the real thing"
"Now. 1 think it best before taking
a step that is very difficult to back out
of that we know the worst about each
other. Let us make a clean breast OF
it; then If after being married we hear
anything detrimental to each other
we'll know just what it means"
THAT'S a good idea."
"Well, then. suppose you begin?"
why not you?
"It's the lady's privilege to-
Confess last?"
"Man is always supposed to defer to
woman"
Certainly. l wouldn't think Of go.
ing through a doorway before you.
And on the same principle I'm willing
that you should confess first. Howev-
er, since you insist upon it. will.
Where shall 1 Begin?
II would like to have you tell me
just what sin lies heavy on your con-
science"
"Well, to begin with. once while In
the country I went to a corn husking.
My companion. a pretty girl with red
lips. wouldn't find a red ear. so l bor-
rowed II and kissed her"
1.-THE first time you net her! How
shocking! They have horrid ways in
the country. Well. go on"
THAT affair Of mine with Miss Turn
er you may have heard about was all
made out Of whole cloth. Nothing in
1t whatever"
81 have heard Of that to your discred-
1t, and I'm very glad to have you as
sure me that you were not at fault in
the matter. Go on"
II once won s. gambling"
SLOW? Where? At what gamer
eat a friends house. We were q
party Of six"
"Anything else?"
II once got tipsy. but there was
something in the punch we drank that
made us all sick"
"You should have been ashamed Of
yourself. Go on. Tell me the rest"
'Itcan't think Of anything more just
now. If L recall anything very badlIll
tell you. oh. yes. l once was weak
enough to allow a married woman to
squeeze my hand" :
Good gracious! Come. bring 1t all
out. Don't be afraid. am forgiving
you, you know"
That's every bit Of It. Now it's
your turn. Remember. don't leave q
weak spot behind you. Tell it ALL"
""Oh, dear. I'm afraid you'll turn
against me when you hear. the many
things Of which I've been guilty. Not
that any Of them are 10 dreadfuliy
bad either, but you men are 30 par
ticular about, the women you marry"
"You never committed bigamy. did
your
..4No. indeed. What made you think
Of such q thinET'
"Nor robbed a married woman Of her
husband?" 4.
Heavens. no."
"Did any man commit suicide b.
i:eause you threw him Overt"
sYou awful thing to ark me inch q
question"
apidn.'t 4 divorced man once get I
license to marry your
III you accuse me OF any more such
.horrid crimes ri break our engage
ment.s' n .s .Bs sS5
II have heard that ,you once went %
d students, ball III Paris dressed In !
very nsgligsescostpms."
1T wasn't agstudsnts' ball at oil. Il
was Z very respectable affair given
By tho Partisan artists. Irepresent-
..sd''-- II ss3
Never mind what You represented.
Go q with your confession"
well. thsrs's IN thing-ju lust one
! think you should know. oncs when
Iwassvery Voting young fellow blslwv
ont thu lights and',- 4 "a 3
sWhat!!'- aS' HID
''KEiSSed me" ia &;
''Is thatsall1"
Eyes. *. . @55
.sSursy' Ss 81 ySS# s.
Ever teeny. wseny littls thing
knew y0u n absolutely mn
sndsilnocent." be said. itftns hsr 80
and : lssing her iipss. s +