The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-16
CIifford's Assurance
Jennie sterrett Prescott.]

AS in the fantastic shapes of the
clouds, SO in the leaping flames of the
nre upon the hearth one can form
pictures of pleasure or images of fore
boding. AS Dale sat contentedly be-
} fore the glow from his fireplace, it
was rather those pleasureable embodi-
ments of his desire or f1eeting fancies
raised by certain recollections that
shaped themse selves in his reveries than
any portents Of evil
Helen-he thought-was the best OF
pals. An evening with her always
meant an hour pregnant with sort Of
feeling that he vaguely described to
himself as comfort" A fellow could
tall easily to her-about almost any
thing halfway within bounds without
her showing that sort of squeamish-
mess that he thought rather silly.
she was open hearted, clear and kind
ly minded, knew the secrets of a range
of cocktails, could play her hand at
poker with an unsearchable face,
would not finch at good story, with
men she was ready with her laugh
but at men-as lovers-she was as
ready with the laugh. At love ITSELF
she even jibed at times. But-alto-
IGether? She would make good wife.
Grace a mans table-and SO on and
so on-the fire was building famously
for Clifford Dale.
His thoughts began now to run fast
er as he watched the dancing flames.
Love sometimes meant marriage-just
as marriage occasionally meant love.
He had never thought seriously OF
marrying, but-Helen-well the thing
allured him now. An idea fixed him,
grew upon him, commanded him.
| He would call. Make ardent love.
Propose marriage, of course. Slip
ring on her dear and dainty finger. 1t
would be joke of the choicest flavor.
How she would laugh over it, guy him
la bit and-accept with proper de-
Imureness.
The more he thought 1t all into
shape the better he felt pleased with
the fanciful plan He hurried into
his evening clothes and was shortly
on his way to the field of his little
play. Oddly. though, as the moment
of his meeting with her drew close,
his ardor cooled. The joke seemed to
be losing some of its SAVIOR and more
sober considerations gripped him. The
whole plan looked less captivating AMI
he saw in it something that might not
be free of danger to his much valued
freedom. She might get in earnest
about it and really hold him. Some
symptoms of paralysis struck Clifford
about this time. Helen was very
young He could-and she could-af-
ford to wait a while. Well, the next
few minutes must determine. He
marched along.
Good evening Clifford. Oh. I'm
particularly glad you came tonight. ;
Thus her greeting. 1--WE something 10
tell you after these people have
cleared OUT
These people were couple of
young men who upon Clifford's ar
rival, began to uneasily shape their
lfarewells. Clifford felt a warm glow
of self appreciation at this. Summing
lup his own preferable condition with
lcomplacency, comparing it with the
Hot of those fellow, clearing the field
for him, evidently conscious of enjoy
ling less of the favor and liking of the
charming girl than did he himself
Mentally he smirked, mentally he
tplumed anu preened himself. / must
really, he thought, not monopolize the
girl in this way. 1t is not the square
thing for her nor for the rest OF her
string. Helen, he further reflected,
had way of doing this sort of thing;
Ihurrying her friends and callers off in
any old way. as soon as he appeared.
1T looked very much as if Helen was
getting too fond of him for her own
peace and for his own safety.
All this disturbing upset of his plan
Iannoyed him and he began to see that
lit would be best not to arouse hopes
in the girls heart that--for the pres
l@~, - act ho nnf full
felt sorry for her, but things must be
as they must be.
AT last, Cliff" sighed Helen as she
Iof the open fire Cleans from the
dancing blaze fiickered. with tantal-
lizing beauty upon the richness of her
gown and were reflected in the sparkle
of gems on her hands. Her eyes too,
were strangely bright, alive with in
vitation as from some deep spring OF
happiness shining from them.
All this is too blamed confidential,
thought Clifford, and he was again
conscious of that queer sort of nerv-
ous unrest.
i "At last we are alone" Helen re-
peated.
'Ye-Pm sure that's all right and
very nice, too"
His answer was banal and in the
maze Of doubt and half understood,
half failing intention, sounded silly,
even to himself.
What is the matter, Cliff" she
queried. you don't seem much like
yourself. Now, know you think a
whole lot of me-
"Oh Lord" said Clifford to himself.
"Shes going to propose to me-"
And I've something to tell YOU
she went on. II can't keep it quiet
any longer-not from you anyway. 1
know you'll laugh at me, Cliff, but
I'm going to be married
Clifford Dale always had a little
heartache whenever that night and It's