The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-02-06
WHY MABEL LOST HIM
BY BLANCHE HARPER.

I'll leave II TO you" said the young
man with the receding chin to his
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.
'T was" admitted the young man
with the receding chin And put
It to you II that wasn't encourage
ment. When girls family lets her
| invite a man for a 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 a nice letter when
she asked me and | 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
pretty well. and you know where her
dad stands-he's got so much money
that they use 1t for klndling wood.
So | made up my mind that | might
do lots worse. BESIDES, | hated to dis
appoint Mabel. I resolved to ask her
to marry me and get it over with"
"Gee!" said the man with the fuzzy
hat in admiring tones. Il like to see
man with courage!"
Il was little surprised" said the
young man with ehe 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 nevo.' notices anybody, you know.
| resolved to show him few things.
So l got Mabel to myself the very
first day. She had the garden hose
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. II
tried to lead up gradually to what |
realize the situation and always ran
me of the track. Finally l turned to
her in desperation and, throwing out
my hands. said"
'What?" 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
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 un.
der the moonvine at one end OF the
porch and said oh" in a rather dis
appointed tone when she looked up
and saw me- It sounded as though
she had expected some one else.
Mabel I began. I can't tell you
how sorry I am"
Don't try,'>she said. But I kept
on for an hour Whenever any one
else walked toward the corner
hitched my chair around to prevent
the intrusion, so we we're not dis
turbed. Finally she rose and SO did
l. | stepped closer to her and took
her hand. but just as l said Mabel
20 hrin hat
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
aheed Of me and half carried her to
a chair. 1t was most annoying Bat
knew that fate could not defeat
persistent man.
The next day all Of us went for a
walk, but despite my efforts I could
not get word with Mabel. admired
her shyness. A girl can always feel
A proposal in the air and 1t is nat.
lral for her to throw obstacles In the
way. II only proves her interest
Finally I circled around and reached
stile ahead OF the rest. / planned
o be there when Mabel arrived and
help her over before Robson could
limb the fence and do 1t himself. 1t
worked beautifully. only as bobbed
'p smiling and lifrng my hat l ran
hump into a hornets nest in
'assafras bush back of me--.nd |
lent know who helped Mabel over
hat stile. S
Every one seemed to think It my
ault that Mabel was stung by several
II the little beasts. too.
Il made up my mind that would
lave to write my proposal and send 1t
o her. But Just before left her
or home l accidently overheard
dabel and her father talking.
Good gracious!' Mabel told him.
Don't blame me If he has kept out OF
ii your bridge games! l told you he