The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-16

1 . 1893 - -
in some way. Plenty of men have
been in the same fix.
He tried to pick a row, but the girl
was placid. Then he limited that II
| they were not engaged he would 60 to
the African diamond field ana accum-
ulate bushel or two OF the precious
stones.
Then he said he rather dreaded
| marriage on account of his violent
temper. If he were to get mad at his
wife he would certainly murder her in
her sleep.
Miss Hattie aistened to all this and
much more, and then said: Moses.
perhaps you entered into this engage
ment without having given it serious
consideration ?.
III think did," he replied.
I'm that case 1 shouldn't want to
hold you to the engagement"
You wouldn't. ?"
Certainly not. We had best call
matter over"
And you won't be mad!'
"On the contrary. hope you will
drop in to see me quite often"
crowed Moses when he was clear of
the house. Never got mad Never
cried. Never made q threat!''
Miss Hattie could have mentioned
Miss Smith. as she had heard Of the
mudhole rescue. and knew that Moses
had never dropped a hint. Intuition
might have told her how things would
turn out. or she was willing to take
chance.
Moses called ON his new love Satur-
day evening and proposed a trip on
more heroes for it. He was also called
out at her request the cat left the
room.
Moses was captivated. He was
mashed flat. He was in love from
head to heel, and there he was bound
darling. He was also asked If he
were heart-free, and he truthfully re-
piled he was. He didn't propose that
evening, but he meant to next day.
There are certain people who can
hide their defects from the world as
long as everything is running smooth
~. Miss Smith was one of the sort,
but Few outside her relatives knew 1t.
Sunday morning she was upset about
several things that had happened, and
though she had a smile she was ready
with an acid tongue for any one who
provoked her further. In getting into
the boat liter her, Moses displayed
such clumsiness that she called out:
BE careful, you lout, or you will tip
us over!''
Moses laughed. He rather like it.
He was no boatman, and before they
had gone forty rods he splashed her
| with water from one of the oars.
do you think I'm a haystack on
4, fire! I don't believe you were ever in
| q boat before In your life!" she
shouted.
I'VE haven't .ot fairly started yet. :"
he protested.
Then heaven only knows what Is
to happen further on! What are you
grlnning like a monkey for?'
Because it was so good of you to
come'
''Um!"
DO you know, I'd rather be here
| than anywhere else in this world?''
You'll be at the bottom of the riv-
er and along with you il you don't
look QUIT" half screamed Miss Smilh
as the boat grazed a log.
Il shall save you il the boat tips
| over: Didn't save you from tina.
mudhole? Hain't a hero?'
There! Yogs have lost an oar. you
Il can recover it, darling. Don't
be- afraid to trust yourself with me
even II we lose both oars. 1 wanted
you to come With me today that 1
might tell yen1t~
row straight back! A hero! Why,
you are nothing but a plug of a saw
mill man,
Moses looked at her with opea
mouth and bullying eyes. Hasn't the
sawmill advanced civilizations"
No! It has increased the number
Of idiots!'
The sudden and unexpected Jolt
had bewildered Moses, and in trying
! to recover the lost oar the other went
astray.
Mercy on me-!''
But the half-sunken old log ahead
had no mercy. The boat struck it
and went over. and Moses wade.l
ashore on one side of the river and
Miss Smith on the other.
That evening the hero, still q little
damp around the edges. called on his
old love and said: Hattie, let's get
married before 4 have time to make a
fool of myself again.
And Hattie smiled. The marriage
took place.-(Copyright, 1914, by the
Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)
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