The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-10-09

lip, Il mean-when we are alone"
While we're together. and after
we part he quoted. Fran. surely
you don't feel toward me the way you
are looking"
Exactly as I'm looking at ySsGs shs&'s
the way I feel Stand Tiers ss ing
as you please"
Il don't want to stand a moment
longer | want to sit with you in the
buggy. Please don't be $3.50 old!"
Fran laughed out unsteady, but i'm
mediately declared: 'I laughed be-
cause you are unexpected; 1t doesn't
mean ] like you any better | hate
friendship that shows itself only In
private. Mr.. Chameleon, like people
to show their true colors"
Il am not Mr.. Chameleon, and !
want to sit in your buggy"
well, then get in the very farthest
corner. Now look me in the eyes"
And, oh, Fran, you have such eyes!
They are so marvelously-er-un
friendly"
I'm glad you ended up that way.
Now look me in the eyes Suppose
you should see the school-board sail
ing down the road, Miss Sapphire
thrown in. What would you do?"
What should l do?"
Hide. l suppose" said Fran, sud
denly ripping.
Then you look me in the eyes and
listen to me-" he said impressively.
Weigh my words-have you scales
strong enough"
Put 'em on slow and careful"
II am not Mr. Chameleon for l show
my true color And l am a real friend,
no matter what kind of tree l am
He paused, cropping for a word
"Up?" she suggested, with sudden
chuckle. "All right-let the school
board come. But you don't seem sur
prised to see me here in the buggy
without Mr. Simon"
when Mr. Simon comes he'll! find
me right here" Abbott declared
Fran, please don't be always showing
your worst side to the town; when
you laugh at peoples standards, they
think you queer-and you can't mag
inc just how much you are to me-"
HUH" Fran shifted. I'D hate to
be anybody's friend and have my
friendship as little use as yours has
ffe Was a10op4y -v~..>-v~..
to give good advice"
Il don't need advice, l want help in
carrying out what | already know"
Her voice vibrated You're afraid of
losing your position if you have any
thing to do with me. Of course I'm
queer Can 1 help it, when | have
no real home, and nobody cares
whether l go or stay?"
You know | care, Fran"
Fran caught her lip between her
teeth as if to hold herself steady. ooh,
let's drive" she said recklessly, strik-
ing at the dashboard with a whip, and
shaking her hair about her face till
she looked the elfish child he had first
known.
Fran, you know l care-you know
it."
Wen drive into Sure-Enough
Country" she said with a half-smile
showing on the side of her face next
him. whoa! Here we are. All who
live in Sure-Enough Country are sure
enough people-whatever they say is
true Goodness!" She opened her
eyes very wide-"It's awful dangerous
to talk in Sure-Enough Country" She
put up her whip, and folded her
hands.
I'm glad we're here, Fran, for you
have your friendly look"
That's because really do like you.
Let's talk about yourself-how you ex-
pect to be what you'll be-you're moth
ing yet, you know, Abbott; but how
did you come to determine to be some
thing?"
Into Abbotts smile stole something
tender and sacred. cit was all my
mother" he explained simply. "She
died before l received my state GER
tificate, but she thought I'd be great
man-so / am trying for it,
"And she'll never know" Fran
lamented.
(TO BE CONTINUED0