The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-04-26
The Spur

jumped up, cropping ner magazine to
the table. She could distinguish
Philip Somers' pressure upon the push.
button bell from that of anyone else
who had occasion to call at the Han.
son home. Hurrying through the front
hallway, she patted the sides, front,
and top of her neatly coiled couture,
and she SmOOthed an imaginary
wrinkle from her new dress. She was
near the door when she slowed her
steps and sought to dull the light of
joyous expectancy in her eyes. When
she SWING open the door. she had as
sumed the outward appearance of per-
feet composurc.
"Good evening, Phil!" she greeted.
"Good evening, Doris!" responded
the tall. 1.-the young man with sandy
hair, who stepped into the hall.
After his topcoat and soft felt hat
had been placed upon the hat tree,
they proceeded into the parlOr. He
seated himself in the heavily built, up
holstered rocker, she dropping down
upon an end of the divan.
"By lingo. hut it seems good to sit
down and take it easy for awhile !"
he exclaimed. 'I've put in mighty
busy day; not without results. though.
l secured the largest order for loose
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firm has received during the past six
months"
Doris sighed inaudibly. AS usual,
Phil was discussing his work as city
salesman for the FarneS company. Not
but what she liked to hear of his BUSH
ness successes, and of his business
tribulations, for that matter, and to
sympathiZe with him when he con-
fded the latter to her; hut there were
other subjects-subiects vitality inter-
psting to heron which she longed for
him to speak. She had decided def
nitely that she preferred him above
all others who sought her. Moreover,
she was certain that Phil reciprOcated
her feeling: for. though he persisted in
talking of business and prosnic matters
while Mt her home or in her COM
pany Mt the theaters and other places
IF entertainment, she had seen his eyes
! express things that his tongue could
seemingly not articulute. She raised
her shapely hand to an arm of the
livan and permitted 1t to rest there
where he could look upon 1t.
). Farnes was as pleased as q
youngster with a new train of cars"
ne was saying. "IIe-" He broke
off abruptly and gazed toward her
hand. resting upon the arm of the d.
van. "Why--what-" he hesitnted,
his eyes intent upon the delicate gold
band, set with n modest. but dazzling
white stone, which gr,lced her third
finger. "Why--D"ris, what"
"Aren't you going to give me your
pest wishes?" she asked smilingly. She
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20 sparkle splendGly.
He sat there. rigid and spceclless
or a moment. Then his hands
'linched systematically and an angry
clint came into his cycS-a CLINT
ningling surprise. Illustration, and
anger. His jaw squared truculently.
'Is-is it Webber--Elis Wrbber:"
ne demanded hoarsely.
She forced the flicker of frown
upon her forehead. "Why. Phil!" she
poutcd; III presumed that you ut least
thought enough of me to wish me well.
[ never expected you to act like this"
Sliding to the very edge of the great
rocker and leaning forward he
sraspcd the hand upon which she wore
he ring. lie retained the small hand
within his large one. despite her slight
struggle to draw it away.
do you love him. Doris?" he asked.
his voice thrObbng.
"1-I-why, the very idea of asking
me such a" This time it WAS she
who hesitated.
In an instant he was scented beside
her on the divan. his arm about her
and with his face close to- hers.
'iOu don't love him! You don't
you ran't-you mustn't" he OK.
claimed. pressing her tightly to him.
Il love you. Doris! You don't. know
how much love you. girl, I'll do
nything-;nythng for YOU. girl. OK.
:ept give you up Wrhhrr can't love
you as ! do. Why. only today I saw
him dining with" His teeth ,linEn,,
as he broke off. 'rrll me. Doris
don't you love meg" he pleaded in
sentlrr tone. LET me remove that
ring from your finger? I'll bring Won,
by. tomorrow night to replace il. Let
me. please. giri:"
Suddenly Sh" relaxed. tipping back
her head until she looked straight IN