The Monticellonian., 1916-07-13
NOT A LUNATIC
BY L. M. WESTON.

Mrs Burnett, Wltn coHNiclioh. 1T fS
town talk, and you are very foo& Sh not
~ break off your engagement immedi-
ately with man who sleeps on
haard. eats nothing but bread and milk
and health foods and retires every night
before twelve. What kind of a life
can YOU expect with such husbandT
~ don't know as those are habits
likely to harm wife," returned Edna
hravely. although her blue eyes filled
with tears; but as you say, they are
rather queer for a stalwart young man
to adopt"
Queer" shifted Mrs. Burnett dis
painfully. II should say queer was
very mild word"
She rose as she spoke and flounced
out of the room, leaving her daughter
plunged in painful reflections.
A moment later the portieres at the
other end of the room were softly with
drawn and a fine-looking young man
appeared.
Edna looked up with startled air.
40" she gasped, show long have you
been behind those curtains?"
Long enough to hear myself called
n lunatfe,9 he replied, his dark eyes
sparkling with merriment. "Your re.
speeted mother rubbed it in, didn't she1
But | hope you won't take her advice
and give me my walking ticket"
As he spoke, he bent over the girl
and pressed fervent kiss on her lips,
which was shyly, yet Enthusiastically. re-
turned.
Il can't give you up, 10" she muir
INJURED affectionately but | do wish
YOU would tell me why-why you do
queer things"
and you can't wait any longer? he
queried. Patience has ceased to be
virtue and you are about ready to
break our engagement
She looked up in his face, and the
love and tenderness that shOne in his
eyes conquered her. She shook her
head. saying mo, 30, love you with
all my heart and have absolute faith
in you. only-only l want you to know
how hard it is. so you won't make me
wait any longer than is absolutely nee
esSary.
4 triumphant smile lighted his faye
He took her in his arms and, kissing
her rapturously. said fondly: My dar.
ling girl. You are not going to wait an.
other hour | came around today to
tell you, but | couldn't resist the temp.
taton to find out if you could or would
trust me longer. Now for the mystery:
A few months ago Harold Flint was
spending the evening with my father
You know the two are old friends. and
Mr.. Flint Is my godfather. Well, my
brother and sister and | were in an
other room and we began to discuss
the old gentleman, and | said that
wished had half his money. My sis.
ter sud she didn't, if she would have
to be old like him, and not able to sleep
or eat we'll. or have any real good
times. | differed with her and said
TINT l should be willing to sleep every
night On a hard board, eat nothing but
bread and milk and health foods aban
don evening entertainments and go to
bed early for half of Mr. Flint's in.
come.
We'll, to go on with my story. the
next day the old man sent for me to
meet him at his office, told me he had
overheard our conversation the night
before and was going to call my bluff,
r. l. Il -
afraid that | valued money too highly,
that It was nothing compared with
youth and health, and offered to give
me half of his income, fifty thousand
dollars, If | would live the life OF an
aged dyspeptic for six months. He told
me, though, that as millionaires were
always maligned | was to keep our
contract secret, because the comments
on my mode of life would be as disa.
sreeabe to bear as any other part OF
the test. wanted to make an excep.
ton in your favor, dear, but he said
that rich men We're always uncertain
as to whether the women they loved
were sincere or not, consequently u
thought | had better test your love and
faith at the same time. | demurred
and we finally compromised-I agreed
not to explain the situation to you for
three months. Now, dear. what shall
do! Personally, | quite agree with
me old man n0w-that youth and
health are far better than wealth
still fifty thousand dollars would give
US such splendid start"
i should say So" assented Edna,
with subdued chuckle that finally de
veleped into hearty laugh.
At first 10 looked affronted. then his
troWn gave place to a smile as he re.
peated: "Well, dear, what shall | dol
Am | silly or sane? Shall 20 on or
throw over the job?"
aNeyer!h cried Edna, still laughing
It's a novel but honest way of earn.
ing money and-three months will
soon pass"
/ N not SO sure of that" he grHm-
2Ied, when one is the laughing stock
y town, but-but FL stick it out If
can be sure of a wedding feast at
The end of that time" he added tenta.
lively
guess You may be sure of that
she returned, with rosy flush.
with plenty Of indigestible things
10 eat?a he persisted.
III do LOT of the cooking myself
% make certain Of that" she answered
with merry twinkle in her eyes
Brides are supposed to excel in the
art OF making heavy biscuit and soggy
pies"
shall never complain of any