The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-09-20
NM = npampapul " ~ - = mr
STORY MINUS PL0Tss
sy LOUISE OLIVER,
: ~ = Eana W N NJ "a n N n W

Il was half-past ten on dreamy
lnnguorous, moonlight night In md-
summer, a night on which hearts in
stlnetIvey seek a mate and linger long
ingIy.
BERTHE Patton on the Fords front
porch, swinging slowly IN the green
willow seat, shifted uneasily when he
heard the town clock strike the half
hour. lie knew that the lights in the
| parlor chandelier now hlieMng through
the finely webbed curtains and tracing
a graceful pattern on Roses round
check would snap out in somewhat less
than five minutes. Ten-thrty was
PAPA Ford's hour. Never had Rose
looked so adorable, never had parting
seemed cruel BERTHE sighed
"Well Rosie. guess I'll have TO go.
Time seems awfully short
'What time are You talking abouti'
"Why, the time I've been here this
evening Of course.
"Oh I'm glad you've erioyed 1t"
"Well haven't you?
"M-yes It's been very pleasant"
4lNfHNlt ] 0N tftlk IT'S tltlNen
you'd been ut a sewing society"
"Say, Bcrtie, il you're trying to pick
q fight you may as well go. l hear
papa, anyway"
Bcrtle was instantly contrte ok
cusc me, didn't moan it. Rose"
There was step in the vesiibule,
But 1t was Roses mother this time
who called
Rose, your papa went out with the
Rcincmans in their new car aud hasn't
come horne yet. My head isn't any
better SO ! think IN 90 TO bed. 1
wonder II Bert would mind staying
little longer | sort Of hate to close
up the house till papa comes. ! don't
think he'll be late"
Oh ecstasy Oh, blessed words
Bertic longol to kiss The hem OF her
gown. lie cleared his throat man
fully.
"Yrs, III stay Mrs. Ford. Don't
you worry
And Iipse supplemented: "You may
as well turn ont he lights, mamma.
They seem to hurt my eyes"
The lights went or and there was
quiet ecstatic polce.
Bert wondered he could possibly
be awake, TO tcst reality, he lighted
a cigarette.
"Niee, isn't it?a lie remarked
"What?"
"Just to be here He had thought
Of casually quite accidentally, laying
n hand on hers as It lay beside him in
the darkness, but he lost courage.
"Say, Rose do you want to go to
the Stepamore club picnic?" he sup
plemented instead.
I'm going.r
"Excuse me-"
"That's all right. Thanks for ask
ing me anyway" Fs
Il thought there was plenty Of time
two weeks"
II promised a week ago"
II hadn't an idea there were so
many worshipers at your sfrine'
"That's not polite. Besides there
aren't so many dozen that you can't (
count, I'm going with the same per
son TO both, If that's what you're dying
to find out"
"That-that Dixon III bet a jit. I
neyf"
"Don't call him that Dixon He's
been awfully nice to me-"
"Why he's old-too old for you,
Rose"
"He isn't-he just looks dlstin-
guished, and you're-youre jealous"
distinguished! Good night Just /
because he's mustached like a Magyar i
and wears glasses and lives in New
York"
"Bert Patton, you're horrid think
I'd better 90 in and look after mamma
anyway. Good night"
He caught her hand in both Of his
"Rose. Rosie, dear, don't 20. SIT down
won't your He pulled her gently tg
ward him. She yielded finally and sat
down. He slipped an arm boldly
around her.
"Rosie, dear, love your
"Why, Bert Patton!'
"Yes do. Rose. adore you. ClHal
crazy about you. You don't care about +
that New York fellow. do you?"
Il don't know. Papa seems to like
him. That's what he's here for Papa
wanted somebody reliable for good
place he has open. and Mr.. Dixon camf
70 see about it."
'Lucky dog sighed Berthe.
"But you Rose? Oh, say, Rose, be
my girl. won't you? Can't you say
you-loye me? | love you!"
Il don't know. You see papa
Suddenly a horn sounded and car
stopped at the curb.
"There's papa now Rose sprana
ap.
Mr.. Ford came up the path slowly
limping. and the ear slid away.
"Oh. that YOU, Rosie? Waited up .
did you? That's nice girl And Beri /
Patton? Wen, declare Mamma ipI
bed? Don't ten her We had an acci
lent. No not much hurt-iust my
foot. but we might have been Killed +
Vae.-