Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-06-20
STILL HAVE PIRATES AS the COIN spun

Heads. we 60; tails. We stay At
home" '..
Jack Raymond dipped coin care
lessly. In spite Of his desire to sit In
the Cole parlor and talk with Grace
instead of going out with her to make
calls. The ascent piece spun for
moment, and then settled down with
heads" the winner. There was no
help for It; he reached for his hat.
and the two Of them started on their
walk in apparent good humor Grace,
however. noticed the half-concealed
disappointment In his face, and with
q spirit Of daring, said:
Lets not 60 to Margaret's after all.
unless the coin takes up directly
there. You flip 1t at every street cor
ner for the next half hour, and we'll
follow its direction. Whenever heads
turns up. we'll walk towards her house.
when tails somes up, then we'll turn
to the right and see where we land"
1t was sporting proposition. and
Jack seized 1t heartily. ~ %
The flrst tossing of the quarter sent
them straight ahead; likewise the Sec
ond. Then came lucky turning to the
right. Jack, warming up to the situa-
ton, suggested that for the rest of the
time they take note of the buildings
which stood at each corner where they
would have to stop. The turning
points ought to have, he thought. some
al IN o1uno ojnna fQt0
was now In full control Of things. His
amendment added to the gambling In
terest of their scheme, and they fol-
lowed it in high spirits. 1t Is barely
possible Jack knew that the first cor
ner ahead was occupied by q jewelers.
shop. There he stopped and an
nounced: 90
"One minute here for appropriate
conversation"
: He drew Grace to the show window
where was displayed brilliant as
sortment Of diamonds.
There" he exclaimed "reposes my
ideal Of an engagement ring. How
do you like it," Z
The young lady assumed very i'm
personal air, and in judicial tones re-
piled: 1T is a beautiful ring. As to
its being ideal for an engagement ring.
that depends upon various considera-
lions. First, there must be two peo-
pie deeply in love with each other;
secondly, there must be an engage
ment; thirdly, there must be enough
money in the young mans purse to
warrant the purchase of SO fine dia-
mond; fourthly-"
THAT will do" interrupted Jack.
THE minute is over. You have an
swered very wisely" '.
The resumed their walk, straining
their eyes to see what the NEXT corner
was going to furnish. Only modest
dwelling house revealed itself. As they
stopped In front Of it, Jack read from
the door plate: Reverend Cecil Har-
grave, D, D." ..
There was triumph in his voice as
he exclaimed: ,"."-
"Oh, indeed! Chance is very logical.
The engagement ring, then the clergy
man! And what an imposing name
LII newspaper dAAOuACCmOAt!
Wouldn't it read fine?-'Married at
high noon today, by the Reverend
Cecil Hargrave. Miss Grace Cole.
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Richard T.
Cole, to John"
Grace laid restraining hand on the
young mans lips. The minute was
up and they moved on. The next stop
was in front of fine new apartment
house, almost ready for occupancy.
Over one of the porches a big For
Rent" sign Haunted itself. This was
too much for Grace's self-possession.
She tried to hurry past the place
without honoring the minute for con-
versation. But the young man seized
her by the arm and made her listen,
while he deliberately interpreted fate's
dealings with them. She put her
hands over her ears. AS he drew
them down, his tone dropped to seri-
GUS tenderness. /,
Grace, dear, won't you ever let me
tell you that love you; that want
you for my wife,"
She lifted her teasing eyes to his in
attempted raillery, but the look In his
face forbade it. They forgot to flip
another coin, and the half hour was
gone.