The Era-leader., 1917-09-06
NOT A LUNAT|C
BY L. M. WESTON.

atelV with man VINO Sleeps Oh
board. 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 a hushand:'
Il don't know as those are habits
likely to harm wife, returned Edna
hrayely, 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 ,
dainfully. II should say queer was q
very mild word"
She rose as she spoke and tlounced
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 fne-looking young man
appeared.
Edna looked up with a startled air.
80" she gasped, "how long have you
been behind those curtains:'
Long enough to hear myself called
lunatic," he replied, his dark eyes
sparkling with merriment. "YOur re-
spected mother rubbed it in. didn't she?
But l 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 Vas shyly, yet Enthusiastically, re-
turned.
81 can't give you up, Jo,' she mur.
| INJURED affectionately. but | do wish
you would tell me why-why you do
queer things
And you can't wait any longer?" he
0ueried. patience has ceased to be a
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 l want you to know
how hard it is. so you won't make me
wait any longer than is absolutely nee.
essary'
A 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 wait an
other hour. / came around t"Guy q
tell YOU, but | couldn't resist the temp
tation 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 l were in an.
other room and we began to discuss
the old gentleman, and l said that
wished | had half his money. Ny sis.
ter said she didn't, if she would have
to be old like him. and not able to SleeI
or eat well, or have any real gOoC
times. | differed with her and sale
: that l should be willing to sleep ever!
: night on hard board, eat nothing but
, bread and milk and health foods, aban
| don evening entertainments and 60 tt
i. bed early for half of Mr.. Flints in
: come.
, "WeIl, to so on with my story, thu
| next day the old man sent for me t.
> meet him at his office, told me he haC
( overheard our conversation the nigh
? before and was going to call my bluff
/. so to speak. He said that he wa
, afraid that l valued money too highly
: that it was nothing compared will
a youth and health, and offered to Civ,
ME half of his income, fifty thousan(
\ dollars. if would live the life Of al
. aged dySpeptic for six months. He toll
, me, though, that as millionaires wer
always maligned ! was to keep OH
. contract secret, because the comment
- on my mode of life would be>as diSa
greeahle to bear as any other part o
the test. / wanted to make an eXceI
ton in your favor. dear, but he sal
. that rich men were always uncertain
. as to whether the women they love
were sincere or not, consequently h
3. thought l had better test your love an
8, faith at the same time. l demurret
s. and we finally cOmpromised-I agree
y not to explain the situation to you fC
s three months. Now, dear, what sha
10 | do? Personally, l quite agree wit
., the old man now-that youth an
5, health are far better than wealth.
Is still fifty Thousand dollars would Civ
u us such splendid start"
|! 81 should say So" assented Edn'
n with subdued chuckle that finally d.
veioped into hearty laugh.
8, At first 10 looked affronted, then h
re frown gave place to smile as he r
IL peated: "Well, dear, what shall dt
10 Am silly or sane? Shall 60 on I
IN throw over the job?"
ht Never" cried Edna, still laughin
II 'It's q novel but honest way of ear
OF ing money and-three months w
OK soon pass
an I'm not so sure Of that" he grul