Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-07-10

AolASA4S IA0 NAN4O dlClS VI LICK SSCOEI
she talked commonplaces all the way
down to the ferry landing.
Timothy and Dora, walking behind,
smiled once as a vagrant breeze lifted
he green hat from Ben's head to lead
him a merry chase before he recov-
cred it and once more placed it on his
head.
What possessed Ben to do it," whis-
pered Dora, her eyes trimming with
mirth.
You know Willie Perkins," asked
Timothy, by way Of reply.
Dora nodded s%cornfully. II detest
him and l believe Flora does, too. l
don't see why she permits his atten-
tons unless it is because she is too soft
hearted to turn him away. Do you
know he is going to sing tonight at the
show?"
II didn't know it. Ben bought those
things from him in Boomers, and he
told Ben it was a color scheme If
he knew We We're going to the show
tonight I'd say he did it on purpose"
He did know we were going. So
he's the one who rugged Ben up like a
minstrel, is he?" Dora was indignant.
New way to foil your rival, you
know" said Timothy dryly.
Ben Marshall's brilliant attire at
tracted more attention than that mod
est young man desired, and before they
entered the darkened interior of the
picture show he was wishing he had
never attempted to make himself more
attractive in the eyes of the girl he
loved. I'm too blamed homely to
| play tricks with myself" he thought
modify. II expect Flora thinks I'm
pretty mean to make myself and the
rest of EN- so conspicuous. When I
| get home l guess I'll make one bon
| fire."
The reels passed before their eyes,
revealing one picture after another,
weaving romance and tragedy until
the last scene vanished. The pianist
paused for breath and then broke into
a soft prelude. a colored sheet Of music
was thrown on the screen and William
Perkins appeared upon the stage.
II Ben Marshall was a color scheme
in his orange and green tints, Mr.. Per
kins was a symphony in lavender and
gray. For an instant the spot light held
him in its white circle and displayed a
perfectly fitting gray suit, a pale law
ender shirt with a scarf of violet silk.
A lavender silk handkerchief protrud-
ed from his upper coat pocket, and his
low cut shoes displayed silk hosiery of
the same delicate hue. Mr.. Perkins
might not have been appropriately
dressed for the occasion. but certainly
the effect was most pleasing to the
young women of the audience.
Mr.. Perkins sang a love song illus
trated with sentimental pictures. and
he rolled his light eyes at Flora Mills
and shook his dark locks Of hair and
exercised the tremolo of his voice in
the tender passages. Flora looked at
the pictures, a scornful smile curving
her lips. Poor Ben thought she was
comparing his %outlandish garments
with the sartorial glories of the singer
and was very miserable. Willie Per
kinS had the same idea and was equal
~ happy.
Another picture song flashed upon
the screen, and the little group Of four
were startled into close attention.
There upon the cover vas a Tyrolean
peasant waving the duplicate of Ben
Marshall's foolish green hat. Then
the page turned. the piano rippled and
was still. and her burst forth a
startling yodeling song from the tri-
umphant lips of Willie Perkins.
Poor Ben crushed his green hat I'M
der the seat and stared m%iserably at
the pictures on the screen. Flora sat
beside him. very straight and cool, and
beyond her were Dora and Timothy,
indignant and uncomfortable.
Surely Willie Perkins had spared no
pains to present his rival in a foolish
aspect before his sweetheart.
Poor Ben's interest in the show was
entirely gone. His whole mind was
occupied with very bitter thoughts
against his rival. who had rugged him
out in such an %outlandish color scheme
merely to be a foil to his own ex-
quisite selection. He was thankful
when the entertainment came to a
close.
The four were very silent on the
homeward way. The night was warm,
and a full moon silvered the river. AS
they left the %ferryboat Ben tucked
Flora's hand under his arm and was
rejoiced that she did not resist his
boldness. In the shadow of a droop-
ing tree he stopped for an instant.
Flora" he choked, you must think
I'm an awful fool to rig myself up like
this. And I don't suppose you'd marry
me, Flora?" This last question popped
from Ben's agitated throat with star
Ting suddenness and was prompted by
a realization that Flora was close to
him, that her hand was not withdrawn,
that his pressure was returned by her
fingers and her face was temptingly
near his own.
So he had his answer, and Flora told
him that she knew why he had array
ed himself in such gorgeous plumage,
and no Hiccn1 how oroS, yyyLo~ Ill.,,