Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-04-16
observe the conventions, mustn't wee"

observe the conventions, mustn't wer'
ITS a beauty" she declared.
Jimmy smothered something he was
about TO say. He. too, would play fair.
He wouldn't take any advantages un.
duly.
So the days slipped past. Alicia be-
gan to look rested. The color flooded
back to her rather pale cheeks. Her
spirits rose. She bantered her tempo
rary iance numerically at times.
What shall we have u breaking
quarrel about! :" she would ask. Shall
1t be religion. or literature, or music.
or the shape OF my nose, or the way
YOU cock your head on n side? It's
only a week away now. and we must
tell the same story"
They were coming up from the golf
club in the soft dusk Of the early
autumn evening.
Jimmy stopped short,
Let's don't QUARREL" he said so ear
nestly that she looked at him almost
startled. Then she laughed.
Jimmy. you old dear, you don't
have to say all these nice things" she
declared. You've been nice enough
doing what you have for me-"
He swallowed miserably and piod-
ded oil beside her in silence.
ITS been such a beautiful time since
we've been engaged. so quiet and rest
full" said she.
1T has been more than that" said
he In those earlier tones Of his.
There you go again." she Knocked.
Again words rushed to Jimmy's
tongue, but again he bit them down
and decided to play fair.
They decided to quarrel about where
they should live: she would stick out
for the city and he for out here in the
country. They'd have it hot and heavy
and she'd throw his ring in his very
face.
The fourth green on the course was
the chosen spot. Thither they re
paired and had the most delicious
quarrel imaginable. She was leaving
for home early next morning.
Alicia said: Well. now It's all
settled and we've q%uarreled. Here's
your old ring!"
And she handed 1t to him very gra-
ciously, and even let her fingers lie
in his for a moment.
You're the very incest man I was
eve engaged to, and thank you. oh.
so much" she said, as she arose to
leave.
I've had the time of my life." said
Carroll, almost glumly, as he thought
that this was the end of 1t all.
Still saying the nice things to the
bitter end, aren't your" she tainted.
Il mean EN-" said he.
She smiled prettily and bobbed her
head to one side to look at him with a
certain archness.
You couldn't fall in love with me
if you tried" she said.
He was silent.
That's why l chose you to be en-.
gagged to-" she added.
They walked up the road toward her
aunt's house. At the gate she held
out her hand.
"Goodby." she giggled nervously.
Wed have made such a happy couple
If we only could have agreed"
There was a long driveway leading
up to the house. Suddenly without
warning the girl made a queer little
sound. turned, and started quickly up
the drive. Jimmy started down the
road. He went just three steps. Then
he whirled about and went tearing up
the drive after her. He caught up
with her at the first turn. where the
giant larches lined its either side. He
took her almost roughly by the arm.
Don't ever do this to anybody
else" he painted. Darn 1t! You've
made me go and do it. I've fallen in
love with you despite the fact that
couldn't-madly, desperately, in
sanely-"
She began to laugh softly.
We'll" said she, well, what Of 1t?
IT'S just what I've hoped would hap
pen for the last week. Put back the
ring" she went on, holding out her
finger for It. I'm afraid you'll have
to pay your friend for it, now"
Copyright. 1914. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)