Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-02-09
THE HEART
BREAKER
Copyright. Puck
Rv DONALD A. KAHN.

BY DONALD A. KAHN.
n URLESON gave his four-in-hand a
ID last nervous tug and reached IN inc
wrong bureau drawer for handker-
chief. He wiggled into his ulster; his
right fist caught the sleeve lining and
rinned it on the way down. He ran
sacked his brain for some excuse that
he could phone her, but couloh
think of anything that would souno
plausible. So he squared bis snoul'
ders. grabbed his derby, and bolted.
When he had walked the ten blocks
in the crisp air, and as he started up
the steps of her fathers house. his
fear had no whit abated. Have you
ever been about to propose to girl!
Then YOU can sympathize with Billy
Burleson.
The girl herself admitted him. She
was decidedly pretty girl. AS Burle
son looked at her he relied that fact
fully-but it did not tend to reassure
splendor of her bright blue eyes, OF
him.
His realization of her beauty-oi
the glory of her auburn hair, or the
perfection of her profile-did not
assuage his fear. Az he took her hano
his trembled.
They seated themselves on a leather
settee. Postponing the ordeal, but pro
longing his agony, he talked to her OF
books, of music, of art. of economies
of politics. of history. OF science, OF
religion, of the theatre. And all the
while in his heart he was afraid.
At last, inspired by bit of courage
he took her hand. Alice" he said
1--WE been calling on you regularly
for three years."
He felt his backbone chill
He continued: During these three
wears I've learned to know you; and
knowing you is nothing less than low
ing you" He had to admit to himself
that this was pretty fair. Il love you
Alice dear. I'm in love with you!
He watched her face and kissed hel
cheek.
IL want you to marry mel" he con
Guided. rather boldly.
Then he became afraid in dead earn
est He awaited her answer as
prisoner hangs on the verdict OF
jury.
When she spoke at last, her voice
was marvelously tender. "Oh, Billy
I'm so sorry" she said. I'm not II
love with you, Billy, do not care fol
you in fact in that way!"
Don't you think you could learn tt
care for me, Alice?" he asked hope
fully.
Never, Billy" she declared. posi-
lively. "Oh, we've been such goo(
friends, you and l, these three years
/ will be real sister to you. Bill!
dear"
He swallowed, and sighed audibly
I'll never recover from this" he
stated sadly.
You'll not take to drink. Billy p
she asked, deeply concerned.
will you promise me-" Dutifuliy hi
promised.
And you'll not allow this to make
you bitter in your hearth"
"I'll try, Alice" he murmured
Hastily and silently he slipped int
his ulster with the torn sleeve, Sc
cured his derby, grasped her lovely
white hand in farewell, and slipped
out into the cold, black night.
Half an hour later he walked into
his bachelor apartment and switched
on the light. He stepped to thu
library table and hunted around il
the dust. He picked up the morning
paper and re-read THUNDER paragraph
in the Questions and Answers on "Ad
vice to the Worried"
BILLY:-If you have been call
ing on the young lady steadily for
three years she expects you to ask
her hand in marriage. A man
wrongs girl when he monopo-
Lies her time without having mat.
rimony in view. It is your duty
to propose to her. even If. as you
say, you prefer q bachelors life to
a benedict's
He lighted his briar and walked t.
the mantel. He looked at his grinnins
reflection in the mirror. Gee! Bu1
you're a lucky dog" he told himself