The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-06-26
Their Mutual
Confession
By EDITH V. ROSS

When Tom Ashworth aud Emma
Treats engagement was announced
everybody said '"That'll be case Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Devil" The remark didn't
mean that either Of them had been con-
victed Of theft, murder or bigamy. It
meant that Tom was a man Of tho
world and would never do for super.
intendent Of a Sunday school, and that
Emma had been engaged half dozen
times not emerging from any Of her
betrothals with clear record for hav-
Ing treated her lance honorably. Not
that she thought she had treated him
dishonorably. 1t was simply that she
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:
TON. I have been told By my friends
that you have the worst record Of any
man In society. wonder II after all
l will be safe in marrying you"
that's very singular"
"What's singular?"
"Why, a friend of mine when I 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 hot stove.'"
1.-THE horrid wretch, to say such a
thing"
She thought bit, then with very
serious air said:
''This is not Irritation between you
and me-
ITS the real thing"
"Now. l think It best before taking
q step that Is very difficult to back out
Of that we know the worst about each
other. Let us make 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 good idea"
"Well, then. suppose you begin?"
"Why not you?' O.a
tits the lady's privilege to-
Confess last?' ....
MAN is always supposed to defer to
woman"
Certainly. wouldn't think Of 60
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, l will.
Where shall 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 went to corn husking.
My companion, pretty girl with red
lips, wouldn't find red ear. 80 bor-
rowed one and kissed her."
"The first time you met 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
It whatever
II 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"
"How? Where? At what game"
"At friends house. We were
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"
II can't think Of anything more just
now. II recall anything very bad I'll
tell you. Oh, yes. once was weak
enough to allow a married woman to
squeeze my hand"
"Good gracious! Come, bring it all
out. Don't be afraid. l am forgiving
you, you know"
That's every bit of it. Now it's
your turn. Remember, don't leave
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 so dreadfully
bad either, but you men are so par
ticular about the women you marry"
You never committed bigamy. did
you?"
"No, indeed What made you think
Of such thing?"
"Nor robbed a married woman Of her
husband?" ,.
Heavens, no."
did any man commit suicide be-
cause you threw him over?'
"You awful thing to ask me such
question"
Didn't divorced man once get
license to marry your
III you accuse me Of any more such
horrid crimes I'll break our engage
ment."
II have heard that you once went to
students ball in Paris dressed in a
very negligee costume"
1T wasn't students bali at all. It
was a very respectable affair given
by the Partisan artists. I represent
ed
Never mind what you represented.
Go on with your confession"
"Well, there's one thing-just one
think you should know. Once when
was very young young fellow blew