The Irish standard., 1913-07-05
UNDER THE GASL|GHT.
What Could Any Girl Do With a
Tactiess Man Like This
One2
BY n. N. ROBERT,

BY n. N. ROBERT.
Bill Alderson was the most cheerful
mortal that ever existed. OF course he
ought to have been cheerful, for his
father, old Colonel" Anderson, had
left him three million dollars in stocks
and bonds and nothing to worry about
The income he managed to spend com
fortably, ana he was always surprised
when Sharp & Sharp told him that
there was q de1icit on the last years
revenues and that he must retrench.
"Of course" the senior partner
would add. If you prefer 1t we can
sell some Of those H. and K bonds for
you and make up that way, besides
providing you with few thousands in
hand. But you understand that this
will curtail your capital"
Sell H. and K" Anderson would an.
swer. II must pay my creditors. you
know"
1t was not that he was extravagant;
merely that he had never been trained
to the use Of money. His father had
lavished all on him without restraint.
But Colonel" Anderson died very
suddenly, when his sons education
was only half completed. Perhaps this
was fortunate for the boys character.
but 1t was certainly more lucky for his
friends.
Naturally he had many enemies, a.
all men have who 60 through life be-
slowing favors on the less fortunate.
And he never knew it. because he was
the most hght-hearted person living.
Now take the way in which he be-
came engaged to Miss Hargreaves.
Louise Hargreaves was the belle Of
the season, as she had been that of the
preceding two, and they had known
each other for ages. Dozens Of men
had offered her their hearts and hands.
and she had sent them away 80 re-
luctantly and had kept their secrets so
sacredly that they 1emained her de-
voted friends. About the only person
captive was Bill. Naturally Miss Hav.
greaves was piqued.
Once, when he had given her some
gardenias. he saw her, an hour after.
ward. dancing, and she was wearing,
not gardenias, but red roses. This did
not pique William at all; 1t interested
him.
why aren't you wearing those gar.
denias ! gave your" he asked her L.
ter.
They faded" replied Miss Har.
greaves. II think it must have been
the gaslight." (They still use gas in
some old houses in Grammercy Park).
I'll give you some more," said Bill,
and turned away quite satisfied with
his answer. But Louise Hargreavea
laid her finger tips upon his arm.
wait minute" she said, almost
humbly. There's something l want ia
ask you. Why don't you like me, Billr'
Williams eyebrows went up with az.
constituent.
"Why, l do" he answered bluntly
Il think the world of you, Louise. But
/ thought | hadn't chance with so
many other chaps around"
Louise Hargreaves turned az red al
her roses.
Il didn't ask you that, Mr.. Alder
son." she exclaimed angrily. You
really are the most tactless man ]
know she added.
I'm sorry, Louise" said Bill. peni.
tently. Il wish you would marry me,
though. Won't you?"
4 And because he took her by surprise
though the unconscious initiative
had been hers-Miss Hargreaves ac-
cepted him then and there. At the
time she had not the slightest inten.
ton Of marrying him.
=. From this 1t must not be inferred
that she was coquette. She ac-
cepted him because some primitive
instinct suddenly rose up in her and
dominated her. She regretted her i'm.
pulse all that night, and the next dry
she regretted 1t still more. She wigh.
ed William Anderson were thousand
miles away. She told him SO when he
called to see her. carrying bouquet
of-gardenias!
That was symptomatic of Bill. He
had simply not recognized his defeat
in the trivial matter of the flowers.
So in the greater matter. He listened
to her quite seriously.
Where do you want me to 20,
dear?" he asked.
You sit right down in that chair. F"
she answered, and planted herself
upon the arm. Nov. Bill, want to
be very serious with you. You are
very simple. straightforward per.
son, and 1 am complex and-well. not
serious. Sometimes my heart seems
quite withered."
That's because you keep 1t in the
gaslight," answered Bill, not quite
knowing that he making mot
She looked hard at him and caught
her breath. Somehow 1t was the most
pathetic thing in the world to see him
sitting there. so happy. 80 slow to
understand.
"Bill." Ahe said earnestly, II don't
want to ruin good mans life. And
you are good. ! want you to make me
love you. want you to dominate
ma Ri1l"