Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-09-20
just barely seventeen OH sa.s5,"

was iihA "AS
paused. "Of course there couldn't be
anything in it, but it did seem a little
strange"
"What aid?"
why, just before | came downstairs
Adelia came for the laundry. and l
asked her If she'd seen Willie, and she
said he'd put on his dark suit after
dinner, and he went out through the
kitchen, carrying his suit case"
He did,"
y course, Mrs. Baxter went on
slowly, II couldn't believe he'd do such
a thing, but he really is in a prcpos-
ferrous way over this little Miss Pratt.
and he did have that money"
by George!" Mr.. Baxter got upon
his feet. The way he tn kcd at din
ner, l could come pretty near believing
he hasn't any more brains left thar
to get married on $9S5! l wouldn't
put it past him! By George, l
Wouldn't"
"Do you think we'd better go down
to the Parchers'? We'd just say we
came to call, of course, and it,
Get your hat on he said. Il don't
think there's anything in it at all, but
we'd just as well drop down there. 1t
can't hurt anything"
"Of curse l don't think she be-
gan.
Neither do L." he interrupted irasci-
bly,. But with a boy Of his age crazy
enough to think he's in love how do
we know what1l happen? We're only
his parents. Get your hat on" -
But when the uneasy couple found
themselves before the house of the
Parchers they paused in the darkness
and presently decided that it was not
necessary to go in. From the porch
came the laughter of several young
voices, and then one silvery voice,
which pretended to be that Of a tiny
child.
"Oh, same! Same on 90, big Bruv-
va Josie-Joe! Mus be polite to Johnny
Jump-up, or tant play wiz May and
L-ola!"
That's Miss Pratt" whispered Mrs
Baxter shes talking to Johnnie
Watson and Joe Bullitt and May
Parcher. Let's go home. It's all right
OF course l knew it would be-"
Why, certainly" said Mr. Baxter as
they turned. Even if Willie were as
crazy as that, the little girl would have
more sense. l wouldn't have thought
anything OF it if you hadn't told me
about the suit case That looked sort
Of queer"
And when they came to their own
house again there was William sitting
alone and silent upon the steps OF the
porch.
Il thought you'd gone out, Willie,
said his mother as they paused beside
him.
"Ma'am?"
"Adelia said you went out, carrying
your suit case"
ooh, yes" he said languidly. "If you
leave clothes at Schwartz's in the even.
Ing they have 'em pressed in the morn
ing. You said I looked damp at din
ner, so l took EN- over and left EN-
there
81 see" Mrs. Baxter followed her
husband to the door, but she stopped
On the threshold and called back;
Don't sit there too long, Willie. The
dew is falling, and it rained so hard
today, I'm afraid it might be damp"
"Ma'am?"
Come on" Mr.. Baxter said to his
wife. Hes down on the Parcher's
porch, not out in front here. OF course
he can't hear you. It's three blocks
and a half"
But Williams father was mistaken.
Little he knew. William was not upon
the porch Of the Parchers, with May
Parcher and Joe Bullitt and Johnnie
Watson to interfere. He was far from
there, in a land where time was not.
Upon a planet floating in pink mist,
and uninhabited, unless old Mr.. Gene
sis and some Hindu princes and the
diligent Iowan may have established
themselves in its remoter regions-Wil-
liam was alone with Miss Pratt in
their own home. And after a time
they went together and looked into the
door Of a room where an indefinite
number of little boys, all over three
years of age, were playing in the fire
light upon a white bear rug. Fol In
the roseate gossamer that boys dreams
are made of William had indeed en-.
tered the married state.
His condition was growing worse ev'
cry day.
1t was the morning Of the great day
when a trolley ride and picnic were to
be given in honor of Miss Pratt. Will.
lie had a spirited argument with his
mother on the time honored subject OF
taking an overcoat and finally submit
ted to her arguments.
She hung the garment upon his arm
kissed him, and he departed in a des
perate manner.
However, having worn his tragic
face for three blocks, he halted before
a corner drug store and permitted his
expression to improve as he gazet
upon the display Of my Little Sweet
heart All Tobacco Cuban Cigarettes
the Package of Twenty For 10 Cents