The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-01-18
NOT A LUNATIc
BY L. M. WESTON.

Mrs. Burnett, with convection. III is
town talk, and you are very foolish not
to break off your engagement immedi-
ately with man who sleeps on a
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 husband?"
II don't know as those are habits
likely to harm wife," returned Edna
bravely. 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. Il 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.
80" she gasped, how long have you
been behind those curtains"
Long enough to hear myself called
n 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 u fervent kiss on her lips,
which was shyly, yet Enthusiastically, re-
turned.
Il can't give you up, JO," she muir
INJURED affectiOnately, but l 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 a
viytue 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
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.
lie took her i'll 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 l 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 1 said that
wished l 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. l 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 go to
bed early for half of Mr.. Flint's in
come.
well, to go on with my story, the
next day the old man sent for me tc
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 l 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 ar
aged dyspeptic for six months. He told
me, though, that as millionaires were
always maligned l was to keep oul
contract secret, because the comments
on my mode of life would be as disa
greeable to bear as any other part OF
the test. l wanted to make an excep
ton in your favor, dear, but he sale
that rich men were always uncertain
as to whether the women they loved
were sincere or not, consequently hi
thought had better test your love an(
faith at the same time. / demurred
and we finally compromised agreed
not to explain the situation to you fol
three months. Now, dear, what shall
l do? Personally, l quite agree will
the old man nOw-that youth anC
health are far better than wealth
still fifty thousand dollars would giv'
us such a splendid start"
81 should say So" assented Edna
with a subGued chuckle that finally de
velOped into hearty laugh.
At first 10 looked affronted, then hi.
frown gave place to smile as he re
peated: "Well, dear, what shall l do
Am l silly or sane? Shall go on o.
throw over the job?"
Never" cried Edna, still laughing
"It's a novel but honest way of earn
ing money and-three months will
soon pass"
I'm not so sure of that" he grum
bled, when one is the laughing stool
Of town; but-but I'll stick it out 4
1 can be sure of a wedding feast a
the end of that time" he added tenta
lively.
81 guess you may be sure of that,
she returned, with rosy flush.
IL