The Wahpeton times., 1917-12-06
"DaYy Dea1''

for me-"
I'm yours at all times, Louise, you
know that"
"Hut this is different, David. You'll
think it very silly and queer know"
TRY ne and see.''
''It's this way, David. When &c
up in Wisconsin to visit Mark and
Helen the first thing they do will
be to-start on the same old theme.
Why don't 1 marry? It's duty to
myself and everybody else, and all
that stuff. You know how they talk.
The next thing they'll do will be to
post notices on all the rocks and trees
that I'm there, and will all the un-
attached male populace please call,
hoping, of course, that one of the lat.
ter will inadvertently catch my criti-
cal eye. They do it every year, and
it's beyond endurance"
David showed signs of mixed emo
tions. chiefly indignation.
$50 here's where you come in,
Davy, DEAR" she went on, "but it's
little hard to explain. It's this way.
You see, If We're to convey the idea
to them there was somebody ut home
here that l was engaged to then every
body would let me alone and III have
~ peaceful, delightful rest"
"Louise!"
"But it's only pretend, David" She
explained hastily. "Tm only borrow
ing you for the time being. 1t isn't
Il real engagement, you know, and it
doesn't bind anyone to anything. You
don't mind, do you?"
"Oh. no! The only thing is
couldn't you make it real just for
little while; then maybe 1 could kiss
you good-by," wistfully.
''Oh, that would never do, David.
If you're going to do that. we mustn't
he engaged at all. 1t really isn't any
thing, YOU know-a contract in name
only. AS far as you are concerned.
no one around here needs to know
it. as you can still he nice to all the
girls and have good time"
"All right, dear girl! If it will help
YOU any. go ahead. But you know how
I love you, and how many times I've
asked YOU to marry me-"
II wouldn't think of such thing,
David" ignoring his last words, "only
| suspect that Mark and Helen have
somebody picked out for me. can
always read between the lines, and
Helen's been talking n lot about an
old college chum of Dicks who is 60
ing to be near them this fall. He's an
artist or something. It's funny how
run to artists, isn't it, David?"
He was silent a minute. Eyes, but
if this chap hasn't any better luck
with YOU than I've had, I can't say
that we are in class to be envied."
'You must run along now. Davy,
dear. I've got to pack, for leave on
an early train. Remember to write to
me every Gay-at least send an envel-
opc to carry out the bluff, won't you?"
"Certainly, I'll Go what 1 can! !"
'You're an old darling. David. You
always were good sport, and the best
friend I've got. 1 knew you'd take
it in the proper spirit. Now run
along"
All the way up the street Louise's
thoughts were busy. About David.
1t was rather a sensation to he en-
gagged to someone. even if it didn't
mean anything. Dear David! After
all. what would she do without him?
Probably, if it hadn't been for her
music she would have married him.
But she had determined SO implacably
to put matrimony behind her that she
had got out of the habit of think
ing of men in the same minute with
sentiment.
Besides-there was something about
David! She frowned slightly. He
was too submissive! How easily he
had agreed to her plans! If only he
would come after her, with a club
why, maybe-who can tell? She liked
masterful men-or at least men who
determined to gain their goal. and got
there, no matter how. Why hadn't he
said, "Louise, look here, I won't stand
for this nonsense any longer, you're
going to marry me, and you know it,
and there's no use refusing any longer,
for I've made up my mind!'
One comfort. hOwever-she wouldn't
he bothered with other men all fall.
Dicks college chum had no terrors for
her now.
Two days later she was sitting alone
on the porch watching the moon come
M. Mark and Helen had gone to
dance at the country club. Everything
was very quiet and peaceful in the
soft twilight. but Louise was feeling
shall we say it-lonely.
There was step almost inaudible
on the soft pine needles and man
emerged from the shadows of the