The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1914-09-29
FOR THREE Weeks
BY ARTHUR COTTONWOOD.

1
/ Farrar-a certain frankness of eyes
and speech-that would make you de-
1 cidedly prone to trust her. Alicia, you
could be sure, was a girl who would
play fair. Jimmy Carroll coming of
the links with her, and strolling across
the green toward the clubhouse. was
cure Of that. He was sure Of other
things, too. among them that he loved
her very much and that he had known
her far too short time to yet let 1t be
known.
| Therefore, he was very much sur
prbsed when Alicia stopped abruptly,
and with never a prelude of warning.
said quietly:
Would you mind awfully much be-
ing engaged to me, Mr.. Carroll?"
Jlmmy's heart skipped about three
beats; then it pounded SO violently to
make up for lost time that it sent the
hot blood surging into his cheeks and
his neck and even his ears.
"Mind?' he echoed, about to declare
that such thing was to be devoutly
wished, but beyond his widest dreams.
|
and sacred feelings, Alicia was speak
ing again, quickly, with rueful, tired
little smile.
only for just little time, Mr.. Car
roll" she explained. Just while stay
on here at Aunt Helen's. You see,
aunty is such dear, but l can't seem
to make her understand that I'm tired
| -
she's gone and routed every eligible
nice young man hereabouts, and
| wished him onto me, as It were. She
simply sees to it that there's tons and
coolies Of them at the house every
minute of the day to take me motor
Ing or out on the river or golfng," she
ended with droll little intimate
nudge
ooh, see," said ne, trying to laugh
naturally.
And / so want to rest" she went
on. Just go out in the woods and laze
around and read and poke about by
| myself. I've picked you out because
you're SO nice and understanding about
things, and also because know you're
| levelheaded and not the least likely
to fall in love with me. I'm not your
kind a bit.
well, if you just would be engaged
to me the rest of the time I'm here,
don't you see 1t would let me do all
these things? You could be very de-
voted to me, come every morning and
| afternoon to take me somewhere, and
just get me out of sight of the house
and then you'd be free to do as you
Il like. 1t will only take just few min
utes of your time each day, and you
see how 1t will keep the others away
and let me do the things and get the
rest 1 want"
this time.
why, surely" said he 81 propose
right here and now"
You're so good" said she. "And
accept you-for the next three weeks, y
she amended with a chuckle.
"And after that?" he asked.
ooh, we'll quarrel, of course" said
she, land break it off and find out in
time what a mistake we were making.
"Of course" ssaid he.
Therefore, it was announced, and
her aunt gave them jolly little din
ner, and then she was free-free for
the first time since she had come in
to this live-wire place, where all the
nice young men had been SO anxious
to see that she didn't have a spare
minute on her hands. Now, of course,
they fell off for the greater part. Each
morning Jimmy Carroll escorted her
down the road to the woods, left her,
and went his way. Each day after
lunch it was the same She was sup
posed to be motoring or golfng or on
the river with him Rainy days he sat
with her on her aunt's veranda-
But you needn't do this" she said
that first rainy afternoon. This Is
asking rather too much Of you, Mr..
Carroll"
He grinned. Zone calls ones fance
Jimmy, II that happens to be his
name" he said gravely. and as to
staying here, 1 like it; yes, really.
It'll keep the others away. Oh, I've
made 'em think I'm terribly jealous
of you They're scared to come around
when I'm here, and that gives you a
chance to read Don't mind me. Go
on with that book you're reading. I'll
finish the morning paper. I'm just the
bulwark, you know, to keep the rest
away"
She smiled at him and let her hand
rest on his arm for moment.
You're perfect DEAR Jimmy
said she.
was a beautiful stone. She caught her
breath. "Why-why-" she began
demurringly.
He laughed easily
Must have an engagement ring to
make it look all fair and aboveboard.
you know" he explained as he slipped
1t on her slim finger.
But the expense" she demonstrated
Again he laughed.
Got it of friend of mine" he ex-
planned. Just left deposit which ]
get back when / return 1t. We must
observe the conventions, mustn't we?''
Its beauty" she declared
Jimmy smothered something he was
about to say. He, too, would play fair.
i. He wouldn't take any advantages un.
duly
So the days slipped past Alicia be
gan to look rested. The color flooded