The Huttig news., 1914-08-01
! 'sssssssssSssssssssssssses
 UTTERLY IRRESPONSIBLE !:
By HARTLEY B. ADAMS.

you-noi You're too much of child . you've never grown up. And one doesn't marry children" Peter Glover grinned down at her with that great patience of his, which at times she found most exasperating.
 T am an awful kid, Cicely," he con fessed. But that, doesn't hurt me, does it? I read so1hewhere once that the sort of man to trust was the man with the heart of little child
 Tt makes you irresponsible, Peter" said the girl quietly. T couldn't mar ry an irresponsible man."
 Peter sat swinging his long legs and thinking deeply
 So far as money and family go, I'm length.
 "A perfectly good match, Peter" she agreed sweetly.
 And there isn't some other chap is there?" he asked
 You know there isn't" she replied
 Again Peter cogitated.
 If l wasn't such frightfuI kid-if I was little more responsible. as you call it, not quite so light-headed and a little less careless about things, might just barely possibly have show with you. Is that right?" he in- quired
 You might under those conditions; but you never will be any different Peter. You're so utterly irresponsi- ble.''
 Say, would you put me on proba- tion for year." he asked suddenly.
 'I will, for just one year." said she. But if at the end of that time you haven't made good, you're never to speak of marriage to me again."
 Peter let out whoop, stopped to brush her soft hair with his lips and went down the steps.
 A year went past, and when for six whole months Peter had not failed punctually to keep his appointments, Cicely began to think he was really in earnest at last.
 It was a June day-just such a per feet June day as that one a year ago when he had urged his probation pe- riod upon Cicely.
 Tomorrow" said Peter, "the year Is up. You haven't any excuse, now, have you?"
 .'None." Cicely laughed softly.
 May I bring you the ring-say at three tomorrow afternoon"
 Yes" said she.
 At quarter of three next afternoon she went out on the veranda to wait for him. The minutes slipped past. Three o'clock came, but with it no Peter Quarter past three, half past! And still he did not come.
 Cicely took the runabout and whisked angrily out of the yard. It was all one to her now whether he came or not This was the first ap- pointment he had failed to keep in long time-but it would be the last with her. He was just the old ire sponsible Peter after all.
 She was passing farmhouse on the outskirts of the village. She saw big black racing car drawn up to the fence. It was Peters car. Then from an apple tree near the stone wall she heard voices. two childish voices and another, which was Peter Glover's.
 She slowed down the runabout Through the thick foliage of the tree she caught sight of three figures in the branches, Peter Glover perched there with two thin-faced little girls.
 And this,' Peter was saying, indi- eating limb above his head, 'is the upstairs bedroom.
 The runabout came to a full stop.
 Peter said Cicely, its five min. utes past four
 Peter snatched his watch from his pocket. He looked at 1t ruefully.
 Good heavens." he said, and slid out of the tree.
 T-Id no idea it was so fate," said he, coming out to the car, and today of all days. Of course" he fished in his pocket and drew out small mo- rocco case, there's no use offering you this-now ?''
 None whatever" said she coldly. You're just the same utterly ire sponsible kid
 Peter gulped.
 T don't know how clme to stay here so long, said he. You see, those two up in the tree are fresh-air kids staying at the farm here. The people in the house get $3 week apiece for boarding 'em. They don't do anything else for 'em, but just feed and house 'em.
 They were sort of lost and fright ened out here in the country. They didn't know how to play, either. I've seen 'em as I passed in the car. So today I stopped just for a moment to show 'em how to play house in an apple tree-just to make 'em little happier and contented. They look as if they needed it. didn't realize was staying so long"
 He paused, half-ashamed. This isn't an excuse" he supplemented.
 Cicely leaned toward him out of the car. She was extending the third fin- ger of her left hand to him.
 Please put the ring on, Peter" she said softly. "and then help me into