The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-11-12
"How are you Eolng 70

make themP"
And you think there's no chance
for me?"
Il think said the old lady. that
May Durfree cares for you as much as
she is capable of caring for anybody.
But she doesn't love you. She couldn't
love-now, What in the world did you
do to her, Jack, before you went
away? Broke her hearth"
IF had thought that, he answered.
81 would have married her, money or
no money"
ITS the safest way" said the old
lady.
In spite of the old ladys warning
Js ok tried his luck again. He declared
Lis love Little Miss Durfree stopped
MIN promptly.
Now, Mr.. McCaI2n, II we are to
remain friends" she GAIA, you must
realize that this cannot be. Won't you
try? You know, | am fond Os you, as
friend
Jack told her II was impossible. He
stayed away whole week. Al the end
of that period, meeting her in the
street, he fancied that she looked a
little worried.
Il was expecting you to call last
night" she said and the pout made
little Miss Durfree look uncommonly
pretty Jack McCallum was more
madly in love with her than ever.
Il meant to come" he answered
penitently, but had an engagement.
had promised to call on the Du-
points.
20, those girls!" said little Miss
Durfree acidly. Il hope you enjoyed
your visit, Mr. McCallum."
With every nerve urging him to
shout that he hadnI, hat he hated
them, Jack managed, by superhuman
EFFORT, to maintain silence. He had
scored his point, he had piqued little
Miss Durfree.
You're clever" said the old lady
patting him on the shoulder. But
you won't win out that way, my dear
boy. There's only one chance for YOU
and even then it's a hundred to one
against. And if you lose you'll be the
ridicule of the town"
I'm take it" said Jack decisively.
q don't know" said the old lady
Il shall have to ask the minister wnat
he thinks of it. If he agrees that it is
a possible plan I'll tell you.
Before the old lady told him Jack
had resumed his visits to Miss Dur
free. His infatuation was evident. lie
had lost all that he had scored that
day in the street. Miss Durfree lived
in terror of the proposal that came
again at last.
May, if you'll be my wife you shall
live on in this house and I'll only come
on Sundays" said Jack. You shall
sweep and cook and dust and sew
aud"
20 dear!" sighed May Durfree.
Wont you ever be sensible and un-
derstand, Mr.. McCallum?"
He took his hat and stamped out of
the house. But on the next day the
old lady told him that the minister had
indorsed her scheme.
we must get her out of her house
for the day." she said. How can it be
arranged"
Tell her about the new cooking
demonstration downtown said Jack
bitterly
The very thing" said the old lady.
"Ill get her to go with me and bring
her here for lunch, and keep her till
four in the afternoon. if have to lock
her in this room"
And she did it. If little Miss Dur
free became vaguely uneasy about her
home as the old lady chatted away,
she concealed it as long as possible.
The old lady was so insistent. She
showed her one thing after another,
until at length four o'clock came, and
the suspense was over.
And now, my dear, I've kept you so
long that | shall just walk over with
you in atonement." said the old lady,
1t seemed a queer sort of atone
ment to little Miss Durfree, but she aC-
cepted the old lady's company, But at
the door the old lady showed no signs
of going away, and Miss Durfree had
to ask her in. The old lady walked in
with her-into transformed living
room.
For where the piano had been, was
an improvised altar, at which the min
lister stood, and in front of him was
Jack, and on little Miss Durfree's other
side was Jacks chum, Kenneth Gray,
who had known all about the affair,
but of whom no mention has had to
be made before.
wilt thou have this woman for thy
welded wife?" the minister demanded.
Il will" said Jack.
wilt thou have this man to be thy
welded husband?" the minister de-
manded.
Little Miss Durfree stared at him as
if she were hypnotized. Perhaps the
scene, long dormant in her brain as a
vision unrealized, suddenly stirred her
memories. Perhaps it was Jack at her
side, recalling her love of old. How.
ever that may be, the whispered af-
firmative melted Miss Durfree's heart.
Five minutes later she and her hus-
band sat alone together.
IT'S all like dream" she whis-
pered.
"You shall have your home dearest
May"
20 bother the old home!" said little
Miss Durfree.
Thunder at Sea.
Vba Astronomical SOciptv of Franco