The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-01-15

U10nllS q uuAJOIC AIIoIOSy. spar 0ICS
was due In the evening to say some
thing very particular. but since
Swords was also expected she did not
see how be would have HI Opportu
ninity
Bella was very much ashamed Ut
herself. 1t vas easy for her to make
resolutions, hut how was she to keep
them? Kee ting resolutions Is largely
dependent upon freedom from tempta
ton. But she had provided tempta
tons that would beset her all the aft
ernoon and evening Of New Years day
To make matters worse. she remem
bered several other engagements she
had made with young men the day be
fore the evening spent with the Sey
mOurs
The word bankruptcy s usually COL
sidered to pertain to financial matters
Nevertheless there are a great many
kinds Of bankruptcy. There is social
bankruptcy. where one Is swamped
with invitations: there is bankruptcy
In one having assumed more duties
than he can attend to. Miss Dudley's
bankruptcy was that she had permit
ted too many young men to believe
that there was a possibility for each
Of winning her. 1t occurred to her
that the first resolution she should
make vas to apply for a discharge in
the court of love. After such discharge
she might make her resolutions not to
become further involved
Suddenly an idea occurred to her
She would simply fail" She had
heard OF merchants failing. which she
understood to mean that they simply
lay down and let the thrOng of cred
itors pour over them. She would Gu,
them.
But how eScupe them: Flight OK
Cured to hpr--ignOminiOuS flight, Blu,
flight alOne was repugnant to her na
ture. TheI she considered keepin"
her appointment with one of her suit
ors. No; that wouldn't do at all Next
came an idea Of making a brand new
engagement. She lay for some tim,
turning this last proposition over in
her mind. then made one Fundamental
resolution upon which Il superstructurt
Of good intent should be based.
1t was IL O'Clock loon on New Years
day. Edward Corwin. lawyer, had
been spending the morning In his room
at home Over an intricate case that hr
was obliged t. work out and was
thinking about luncheon when there
came a ring ut the telephone.
"Mr. CorwinY" came q woman's
voice.
Eyes. | am Corwin. Who is it,"
Bella Dudley
"Oh, Miss Dudley Happy New
Year,
"Same to you"
There was a brief pause. after
which Miss Dudley proceeded: This
is a fine. sunshiny day. l suppose you
are free on a holiday? 1t seems a pity
to stay in the house with nothing to
do. | wish they would revive calling
Il am disengaged for the afternoon
How would you like to drive me In
the runaboutY"
Every much But | am surprised
that you have no engagement for The
day"
III l told you that | have a lot OF
them and propose to break them all
for you you wouldn't believe me-"
And II you told me you had had
no opportunity to make them !
wouldn't believe you
''True. Therefore never mind my
engagements. Come at 3 O'Clock and
we'll have a spin"
"Ill be with you. assuredly."
lone moment. please"
"A dozen. If you like"
II would prefer to dine somewhere.
Suppose We 90 to Summerset and dine
at the Antlers. That would suit me
If it will not he too cold for you cOm
ing back at night. Summerset Is thir
ty miles. you know"
"Ill stand the cold
Every we'll. Summerset 1t Is. with
dinner at the Antlers. 3 O'Clock. Wei
60 round by Turnersville."
THAT will be fine, GoOdby."
"Goodby."
Bella" said Mr.. Dudley on the
morning of the I'd of January. didn't
you find it cold riding last nightT"
I'VE had plenty Of robes"
What time did you get homeT"
About 10 o'clock"
Several young men called in the
afternoon" said Mrs. Dudley. "and
two in the evening. They all seemed
disappointed in not finding you"
Did they. M Please pour m,
coffee"
When the family rOse from the
breakfast table Bella told her father
that she had something to say to him
and. taking his hand, afectionately
led him into the library.
Papa" she said. i've reformed"
How long will the reformation
last?"
Always. lm engaged"
''EngagedY
Yes. engaged"
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