The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-02-18
WHY MABEL LOST HIM
BY BLANCHE HARPER.

man WIN the TeCeulnS chin 10 nls
friend with the fuzzy bat. whether It
was my fault or not! II was just
bad luck I'm hoodooed. that's what"
II thought you we're 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 l put
1t to you II that wasn't encourage
ment. When a girls family let's 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 l 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
tell. Still. had always liked Mabel
pretty well, and you know where her
dad stands-he's got so much money
that they use 1t for kindling wood
SO 1 made up my mind that | might
do lots worse. Besides, hated to dis
appoint Mabel. | 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 a little surprised" said the
young man with the receding chin,
ito find when l got there that about
six other fellows had been invited,
and among them that Robson chap
that particularly obnoxious> fellow
who never 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
turned on her pet flower bed and I
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 NE use 1t. I
tried to lead up gradually to what |
had In mind. but she didn't seem to
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
force of the stream hit Mabel in the
face and drenched her.
Il didn't see her again till evening.
but, Of course, neither did Robson.
Naturally I sought her out to apollo
gize. She had just taken 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. 1t sounded as though
she had expected some one else.
Mabel l 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 were not dis
turbed. Finally she rose and so did
I. stepped closer to her and took
her hand, but just as I said Mabel
softly she let out shrek that
brought every one running.
my foot! My foot!' she walled.
You brought your great heavy heel
down on my foot and nearly killed
mel"
Then that Robson chap pushed in
ahead OF me and half carried her to
a chair. It was most annoying. But
I knew that fate could not defeat q
persistent man.
THE next day all Of us went fer a
walk, but despite my efforts / could
not get word with Mabel. admired
her shyness. A girl can always feel
a proposal in the air, and It is nat.
ural for her to throw obstacles in the
way. 1t only proves her interest
Finally circled around and reached
a stile ahead Of the rest l planned
to be there when Mabel arrived and
help her over before Robson could
climb the fence and do 1t himself. 1t
worked beautifully. only as I bobbed
up smiling and lifting my hat l ran
plump into q hornets nest in q
sassafras bush back OF me-snd I
don't know who helped Mabel over
that stile.
Every one seemed to think It my
fault that Mabel was stung by several
Of the little beasts. too.
II made up my mind that would
have to write my proposal and send 1t
to her. But Just before l left her
for home I accidently overheard
Mabel and her father talking.
"'Good gracious!' Mabel told him.
Don't blame me IL he has kept out OF |
all your bridge games! told you he |
could Dlay bridpe when Won wantad /