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


ut was all 50 perfectly ridiculous"
she continued. that | decided ~ give
them enough Of the subject and wrote
that silly notice. %hurryins It "a to
their home town paper to greet them
when they arrived. marlborough en-.
joys publishing amusing personalities.
and | expected the affair to epd In a
laugh" She regarded the editor nc.
c%usingIy. But. oh. when the awful
thing came out In your paper! Miss
Thornton threw out her hands. Nov
I'm afraid-for you" she said.
Richard West followed the girl to
the door and then surprised himself
by continuing to follow into the eie-
vator and on down to the street, where
be stood an unnecessary length Of
time assuring her Of his regret and OF
his ability to sOothe the ruf1ed feel
ings Of her mother. Again. In his Of.
6ce he stopped to pick up a bunch Of
faded violets which had fallen from
the girls belt and to place them care
fully In bis desk. Then he leaned
back In his chair. falling into q pleas
ant rcverie. Each fragrant breath
from the violets seemed to bring back
in an indefinable way the piQuant
charm of the girls presence-that n
laughing CLEAN from her bluebell eyes.
And SO for days the winsome face
haunted his memory.
Richard West formed a habit OF gaz-
ing eagerly down at the passersby or
of falling into brown studies before
his desk Then. one day. the girls
we'll remembered name caught his eye.
seeming to stand out in glowing let
ters upon the social column Of his W
paper. When he had read the pas
sage a second time he summoned the
social editor.
this announcement has bee duly au,
thoriZcd.' The social editor peered
through her glasses.
1.-The engagement of Miss Elizabeth
Thornton to Mr.. Robert Wells" she
quoted. "Oh. yes. that is correct.
The notice was copied by request from
q BeechwOod paper. Miss Thornton
has been a guest at the Balmoral. re-
turning this week. as the notice says.
to be married in the city. l will send
you the original copy"
Swiftly the editors practiced eye
scanned the bold signature. "Authoriz-
ed for publication by Robert Wells"
U~ndecidedly his hand went out toward
the telephone. Then. as II In answer
to his thought. the Office door was
opened to admit a small figure.
MAY ! come inY" asked a di6ident
voice. Richard Vests heretofore we'll
behaved heart beat a rapid tattoo as
the vision in blue advanced to his side.
Il did not think you would do 1t
again." she r%eproached him. In 81
lent exoneratiOn he handed to her the
original signed slip Of the disturbing
announcement. watching In vast relief
as rebellious color flooded the girls
indignant face.
ut Is just as ! thought" she cried.
Robert Wells wrote the wretched
thing for revenge.
And the fact stated Is not trueY"
Miss Thornton scorned the eager
question Il was having such u
lovely time" she said dancing. driv.
ing. tennis: Now he has spoiled 1t
all. If | had Ieprosy | could not be
more avoided. Returning to be mar.
ried in the city," she Knocked. "TlI
never be married as long as | live.
This time you are not to blame. and |
came down to SrOld you
"One might be driven to second Of
fense." he told her. for the pleasure
Of seeing you once more"
You may see me again sooner than
you expect" she laughed. and her
prophecy came true.
1t was Il flushed and beautiful young
wOman Of flashing eye who burst in
upon him one gloriOusiy memorable
morning
~ hope I'm in time" she began
breathleSsly and waving nlOft a paper.
Grandmother read 1t last night In the
Farm Gazette"
With that glowing face SO neal his
own. it was rather difficult at first to
grasp the Significance Of this latest
message. bat presently Richard West
realized that Miss Elizabeth Thorn
ton was again reported engaged. Mr..
John Glegg this time figuring as the
fortunate bridegroom elect
Isn't 1t cOntemptible" Miss Thorn
ton glanced distractingly through a
floating strand of hair. "Yon SEE. they
have agreed together to get~even On.
! wish" The resonant voice broke
TREMENDOUSLY "a the girl turned to the
window
Richard West followed. sha ken, be-
tween a desire for deep sympathy and
Il desire for helpless laughter. wonder
ing at the mighty emotion which surg.
I'd within him at the sight of two
very genuine tears creeping down the
girls averted cheek Tightly his hand
closed over hers.
ut has all been so chlldishly fool.
ish." she murmured.
"Perhaps 1t has," the man answered
-.A