The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-11-09
BY FORBES DWIGHT.

Yes, it's true" said she. II wasn't
originally cast for that role, you un-
derstand. II was Alice MARI. But
she's Ill. So they've asked me and
I'm"
Good heavens! OF course you
can't" said he.
She made a wry little face. Also
her right hand went out in a little i'm
patient gesture.
Needy. don't be horrid," she urged.
I'm not" said he. why, goodness
gracious, child. 1t would be- You'd
have to be in armor, of course?" he
broke of suddenly.
"Of course" she admitted with the
faintest of added color.
We'll. don't" said he.
For what specific ~reason?' she de-
manded.
Because / ask it."
That isn't enough"
He frowned.
Isn't it," said he. Then let me
say, because, If you do persist-if you
don't think any more for me than that,
| don't think I'd better come here any
more"
She looked at him wide-eyed for a
moment. Then quietly she slipped OF
the ring on the third finger of her left
hand and passed it to him.
"As you like" said she. Il shall be
Jeanne dare tomorrow"
Before he could demonstrate she
was gone. She stepped past him and
he heard her going very firmly up the
stairs. He started to call after her,
but instead he squared his shoulders
and went out, and he did o close the
front door quite as softly as was his
wont.
He went to the club that night and
to forget his troubles he plunged into
a game of bridge with Norton and
Babcock and old Colonel Haskins. He
played later than he had meant to;
also he played YER badly. In conse-
quence he oversight next morning,
and he had an important appointment
with a client at his Office at $3.50
o'clock. 1t was after ten o'clock when
he rushed downtown.
Martial music gave him pause.
Hand-clappings and cheers also greet
ed his ears. OF course. the parade.
He started on, but at that moment the
head OF the parade came abreast him.
Behind the band was a huge banner
with the legend:
VOTES FOR WOMEN
And just back of that was a wonder
full vision, a girl in flashing armor, trim
and 1.-the and straight On a snow
white horse. The shimmering helmet
she carried in her hands. leaving her
hair like spun gold cleaning in the
morning sun.
Frisby stood quite still while the
rest Of the procession passed. At the
end was a handful OF men, marching
sturdily and looking very ~sheepish un-
der the gibes that were hurled at them
from their watching brothers on the
curb.
Frisby had quite forgotten that eli
was that wonderful girl at the head OF
the procession on the snow-white
horse.
He pushed through the crowd. In
another moment he had joined those
shame-faced. marching men at the end
of the procession. Then he marched
grimly, unmindful apparently that be
was being invited to go home and
wash the dishes and that he was being
told In many falsetto voices how per.
fectly sweet he looked.
There was a reviewing stand In
front of the Women's clubhouse. Or
the stand were various notables. mer
and women, and before 1t while tn,
procession passed. the matchless JoaI
of Arc a her white charger in hel
glittering armor.
As the tail OF the procession cam'
along she caught sight of the standard
bearer. She gasped in surprise. Sh'
said. Edward" very softly, but quit
distinctly. Then, as the banner wa
dipped TO her in salute, she bent he
head and unloosed upon him the mos
dazzling smile imaginable.
She had just reached home and rui
inside, and old William. their gardener
vas holding the horse. when Frisb,
burst in. In his excitement he hat
ever forgotten TO ring. She starte'
with an embarrassed little laugh t
run upstairs (she was still in the al
mor). but he caught her in his arms
"Dearie." he cried eontritely. as h
hshed in his pocket, take OF that til
can Of a gauntlet and let me slip thi
back again. please / vas wrong-al
wrong. as usual. Please let me put 1
back"
"Oh, Neddy." she laughed. do loo
out. This armor is all covered owe
with sharp points. Be CAREFUL"
TITS well worth being cut to piece
for" he said with conviction. DRAWN
her yet closer TO him.
tCopyrixht by the Mcclure Nexspap<
s~yndicare)