Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1916-07-13
HGI A LUAaIG
BY [. M. WEsTofd.

HE is simply crazy, Edlh' oeNi'iN
Mrs. Burnett, with conviction. III is
town talk. and you are very foolish not
to break off your engagement lmmedl-
ately with q man who sleeps on
board. eats nothing but bread and milk
and health foods and retires every night
before twelve. What kind OF NE
can you expect with such husbandF
II don't know as those are habits
likely to harm a wife" returned Edna
bravely, although her blue eyes filled
with tears; "but as you say, they are
rather queer for d stalwart young man
TO adopt"
Queer" shifted Mrs Burnett dis
painfully. II should say queer was a
very mild word"
She rose as she spoke and flounced
out of the roow, 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.
10" she gasped, "how long have you
been behind those curtainsT'
Long enough TO hear myself called
lunatic" he replied, his dark eyes
sparkling with merriment. Your re-
spected mother rubbed it in, didn't shef
But / hope you won't take her advice
and give me my walking ticket"
AS he spoke, he bent over the girl
and pressed a fervent kiss on her lips,
which was shyly, yet Enthusiastically, re-
turned.
Il can't give you up, Jo," 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, 10, love you with
all my heart and | have absolute faith
in you. only-only | 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 face.
He took her in his arms and, kissing
her rapturously, said fondly: MY dar-
ling girl, you are not going to walt an
other hour. | came around today to
tell you, but l couldn't resist the temp
to tn find ont yn,t pn1111 g,.N
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 l said that l
wished | had half his money. My sis
ter said she didn't, if she would have
to be old like him, and not able to sleep
or eat well, or have any real good
times. | differed with her and said
that | should be willing to sleep every
night on hard board. eat nothing but
bread and milk and health foods, aban-
don evening entertainments and 20 to
bed early for half of Mr.. Flints 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,
so to speak. He said that he was
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 l would live the life of an
aged dyspeptic for six months. He told
me, though, that as millionaires were
always maligned l was to keep our
contract secret, because the comments
on my mode Of life would be as disa-
greeable to bear as any other part of
the test. | wanted to make an excep-
uon In your favor, dear, but he said
that rich men were always uncertain
as to whether the women they loved
were sincere or not, consequently he
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
l do? Personally, l quite agree with
the old man now--that youth and
health are far better than wealth.
still fifty thousand dollars would give
US such a splendid start"
Il should say So" assented Edna,
with subdued chuckle that finally de-
veloped into hearty laugh
AT first Jo looked affronted. then his
frown gave place to a smile as he re-
peated; We'll, dear, what shall [ do?
Am | silly or sane? Shall | 90 on or
throw over the job?"
Never" cried Edna. still laughing.
Its novel but honest way of earn
ing money and-three months win
soon pass
Tn not so sure of that" he grum-
bled, when one is the laughing stock
of town; but-but I'll stick II out IL
| can be sure of a wedding feast at
the end of that time" he added tenta-
tiypfy