Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-08-09
p |.
William

Wllllam.
EAT LILLIAN SYLVANUS BAX-
w1N TEN paused for a moment
of thought in front of the
drug store at the corner of
Washington street and Central avenue
considering what kind of an ice cream
soda he would have, when he was
reused by the bluff greeting of an ac-
quaintance not dissimilar to himself in
age, manner and apparel.
"H'lo, Silly Bill!' said this person,
hating beside William S%ylvanus Bax-
ter. "What's the news?"
William showed no enthusiasm. On
the contrary, a frown of annoyance
appeared upon his brow. The nick
name "Silly Bill" long ago compound
ed by merry child comrades from Will
liam and Sylvanus, was not to his
taste, especially in public, where he
preferred to be addressed simply and
manfully as Baxter. Any direct ex-
preston of resentment, however, was
difficult, since it was plain that John
ME Watson intended no offense what
ever and but spoke out Of custom.
Don't know any," William replied
coldly.
Dull times, amt it," said Mr.. Wat
son, a little depressed by his friends
manner. 81 heard May Parcher was
COMM, back to town yesterday,
though"
"Well, let her!' returned William,
still severe.
"They said she was goin' to bring a
girl to visit her." Johnnie began in a
c%onfidAntial tone. "They said she was
a regular r%ingdinger, and'-
"Well, what if she ISL" the discour-
aging Mr.. Baxter interrupted. makes
little difference to me, I guess"
"Oh, no, it don't! You don't take any
interest in girls! oh, mol"
mo, 1 do not!!" was the emphatic
and heartless retort. 81 never saw one
in my life I'd care whether she lived
or died."
Honest, is that soY"
Eyes, 'honest!" William replied
sharply. '"They could all die; I wouldn't
notice!
Johnnie Watson was profoundly i'm
pressed. "Why, I didn't know you felt
that way about m, Silly Bill. 1 al
ways thought you were kind off,
"Well, 1 do feel that way about 'em"
said William sylvanus Baxter, and,
outraged by the repetition of the Of
fensive nickname, he began to move
away. "You can tell EN- so for me,
If you want to-" he added over his
shoulder. And he walked haughtily
up the street, leaving Mr.. Watson to
ponder upon this case of misogyny,
never until that moment suspected.
1t was beyond the power Of his mind
to grasp the fact that William SYLVIA
nus Bakers cruel words about ''girls''
had been uttered because William was
annoyed at being called "Silly Bill in
a public place and had not known how
to object otherwise than by showing
contempt for any topic Of converse
ton proposed by the offender.
William meanwhile made his way
toward the residence section" Of the
town. He walked in his own manner
using his shoulders to emphasize an
effect of -carelessness which he wished
to produce upon observers, for his con
seriousness of observers was abnormal,
since he had it whether any one was
looking at him or not, and 1t reached
a crucial stage whenever he perceived
persons of his own age, but of opposite
sex, approaching.
A person of this description was en-.
countered upon the sidewalk within a
hundred yards Of his own home, and
William Sylyanus Baxter saw her while
yet she was afar off. He had per-
ceiyed even In the distance that she
was anknown to him, a stranger, DO.
cause 'ho knew all the girls In this part
OF the town who dressed as famously
In the mode as that. And then, as the
distance between them lessened, he