The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-09-12
Preparatory
Test
B. OLIVE EDNA MAY

By OLIVE EDNA MAY
Harry" said Bess, I've been think
ing what an awful thing it Is for a girl
TO trust her whole future to a man,
not knowing whether he's going to
make a good husband or a horrid me-.
I've a good mind to break our engage
ment.",
Strange, isn't it, l was thinking
the same thing about a mans tying
himself up for life to a woman. Ny
when he marries."
How should he know? He's never
been married"
"1've no doubt that your aunt, who
Is ain elderly maiden, put all this dis
trust into your head. I've often heard
her say she wouldn't marry the best
man In the world"
Aunt Martha has a very clear idea
Of mems faults" .
$50 has my Uncle Jim Of women's
shortcomings. But, as I said a mo-
ment ago. I've been thinking myself
that it's like taking a cold plunge to
be married If you think you don't
care to risk 1t perhaps we'd better
break it OF"
She pouted at this and bent her eyes
down on a locket she was toying with.
"Uncle Jim says. he continued,
''that marriage Il all very well so long
as the spooning lasts, but just q soon
as a couple come down to the real
thing the girl discovers that she hasn't
got exactly what she wanted, or the
fellow finds he's made q bull, or both
do, and the fracas begins. Now, sup
pose we stop spooning and treat each
other in that friendly way married
people do. Wed find ont the cause Of
future dissatisfaction and could make
up our minds with elaboration wheth-
or we'd better risk It or not"
THAT'S a good idea. When shall We
begin-nowT"
mo; the next time we meet"
He didn't + to begin now, because
It was only II o'clock at night and
he was quite sure he would wish to
spoon till 1. So they sat locked in
each others arms till 2. when they
made preparations for parting, which
required half an hour more, and final
~ succeeded in dragging themselves
away from each other at 8. They
were to begin their humdrum matri-
monial treatment at their next meet
ing, and In order to be we'll prepared
he was not to call again for three
days. When the time was up he had
nerved himself to act like a man who
had been married ten years. He gave
her a perfunctory kiss and. throwing
himself into an easy chair, asked II
anything new had turned up since he
saw her last. She gave him a scorn-
full glance, made no reply and, TAX
ing q seat in another part Of the room,
took up a book she had been reading.
He yawned and, taking a cigarette
from a box, lit It, leaned back and
smoked. There was a long silence.
It was only a few minutes. but 1t
seemed long.
Been to your aunt's today2" he
asked.
"No. Is your uncle well?"
very"
Another silence. during which he
took up a magazine from a table, turn
ed over the leaves and threw 1t down.
Then he glanced in her direction and
saw that the book she was reading. OF.
rather, pretending to read. was upside
down. pictures and all.
Been a big storm lately?"
mot that I know of. Why do you
ask?"
"Oh. l see a picture Of a capsized
ship in the book you're reading" I
This called her attention to the In
'verted position Of the volume. and she
reversed 1t. There was no sound e
cept the turning of its leaves, which
occurred so rapidly that she must have
been capable Of reading a page every
ten seconds. Finally he said with q
yawn:
II shall have to go to bed early to-
night. I've been up till late for several
nights"
he took out his watch. It was q
quarter to o. II think IN go now"
be said. .Irl drop into the club for 2
few minutes before I 60 to my room"
"Good nigh" $S
Since he had not risen this was some
what unexpected. He arose with q
scowl on his brow and. without say.
ing 4 word Of adieu. strobe to the clos
ct In the hall and was hunting for his
hat and cane when he heard Q sob d.
rectly behind him. She was there.
holding her handkerchief to her eyes.
He clasped her In his arms. and her
head fell on bis shoulder. There wal
an impressive silence for some mo-
ments, which be broke.
Il don't believe this test plan = 1t
III necessary" y
'l--dop't-think o.
I'm sure there are no ~disagreeable
features about you that would cause
me to wish myself nnmarried'.
.&s savy EkEnAN- \. ~vlInT1Avn III