The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-01-03
WHY MABEL LOST HIM
Ely BLANCHE HARPER.

"I'll leave 1t to you" said the young
man with the receding chin to his
friend with the fuzzy bat, whether II
was my fault or not! 1t was just
bad luckl 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.
81 was" admitted the young man
with the receding chin. And | put
1t to you II that wasn't encourage
ment. When a girls family let's her
invite a man for q weekend doesn't
1t look as though everything was all
right? And II the girl didn't want you
couldn't she sidestep the invitation ?
Mabel wrote me nice letter when
she asked me and / considered the
question before accepting A man
doesn't want to commit himself or
hand, you know. Girls are 30 fright
fully keen these days. and while
Mabel never seemed 80 you never can
tell. Still, had always liked Mabel
pretty well, and you know where her
dad stands-he's got 30 much money
So l made up my mind that | might
do lots worse. Besides, hated to dis
appoint Mabel. | resolved to ask her
to marry me and get it over with"
"Geei" said the man with the fuzzy
hat in admirng tones. Il like to see
a man with courage!"
Il was a little surprised" said the
young man with rle recedng chin,
"to 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.
| resolved to show him a few things.
SO | 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 It.
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-"
"What7' breathlessly inquired his
friend.
well, whatever I said was com.
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.
II didn't sec her again till evening.
but, OF course, neither did Robson.
Naturally I sought her out to apollo
gize. She had just taken a chair un-
der tho moonvine at one end of the
porch and said oh" in a rather dis
appointed tone when she looked up
and saw me. 1t sounded as though
she had expected some one else.
mabel began. I can't tell you
how sorry am"
Don't try, she said But | kept
on for an hour. Whenever any one
else walked toward the corner
hitchcd my chair around to prevent
the intrusion, so we were not dis,
turbed Finally she rose and so did
|. | stepped closer to her and took
her hand, but just as l 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
me-"
"Then that Robson chap pushed in
ahead OF me and half carried her TO
a chair. 1t was most annoying. Bot
| knew that fate could not defeat a
persistent man.
"The next day all OF us went for a
walk but despite my efforts could
not get word with Mabel. | admired
her shyuess. A girl can always feel
a proposal In the ar, ana III lS nat
ural for her to throw obstacles in the
way 1t 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 it himself. II
worked beautifully, only as | bobbed
mp smiling and lifrng my hat l ran
plump into hornets nest in @
sassafras bush back Of me-snd
don't know who helped Mabel over
that stile.
Every one seemed to think II my
fault that Mabel was stung by several
of the little beasts. too
81 made up my mind that | would
have to write my proposal and send II
to her. But Just before left her
for home | accidently overheard
Mabel and her father talking.
"'Good gracious.' Mabel told him
Don't blame me if he has kept out OF
all your bridge games! told you he