The Tomahawk., 1918-07-11

~ TO nearby lunch counter, WneEo
she dined in state with-herself. But
Warlng did not ]rnow that. He passed
an uneventful and very unpleasant
evening by himself and finally came to
the conclusion that matrimony was a
deep problem to be carefully consid-
cred. And he wondered what Jean
Coleman knew about being In love,
anyway-evidently something.
He determined to see the thing
through honestly, however, and YEARLY
wrote to and interviewed q few more
applicants. At the end Of that time
he was sure Of two things-he did not
want to marry any Of the women he
had seen, but he did want to marry
Jean Coleman. He began to wonder
why he had not found 1t out before.
She probably wouldn't look at him
now that he had made. such an idiot
Of himself. He was glad he hadn't
told anyone else but her, anyway-he
wasn't proud Of his venture.
The door bell rang penetratingly and
he groaned hopelessly. Nevertheless,
he was resigned, and when his land
lady, Mrs. Morley, ushered in a veiled,
slight little woman In dark suit, he
was prepared for the worst. L..
II saw your advertisement. In the
paper" she began in clear, strangely
familiar voice. "a.
II regret to say I'm no longer In the
market" he put in hurriedly, before
she had a chance to say anything
more. +. a& ~.
"Oh, 1 didn't come to apply" she
assured him hastily, II only came to
tell you you're all wrong about get
ting wife this way. I thought maybe
you didn't have. anyone to advise you,
I'm very old"-her voice belied the
word -"and / thought 4. I might save
you from doing something foolish.
Please don't marry in haste-yOull
surely meet someone some day who
will make your waiting worth while.
You can't just make yourself love peo-
pie, you know, even IL you are mar
ried. and you mustn't make such
dreadful mistake and ruin your li1e.
Even If you are going away, don't
Jump into marriage hastily-please be-
lieve what 1 say" i. 49,.
In her ~earnestness and excitement
the woman had quite forgotten her
self. She was actually pleading with
him to save himself. and he was listen
ing, fascinated to what she had to say.
When she had finished she stood with
her hands pressed together, and he
could feel that she was looking at him
through the still lowered veil. Sud
denly she seemed to recall herself and.
with quick movement, walked to-
wards the door Waring sprang after.
her ind seized her by the arm.
"Let me go!'' she commanded him.
II must 60 at once. I only came be-
cause I thought I might help you ~
don't want anyone to see my face" ."
II must" he insisted. and before she
had a chance to struggle further, he
threw the heavy veil back from her
hat. Then he stood transfxed.
"Jean!' he cried, and gazed INTO
flushed and ',tear-stained face. II might
have known it was you; no one else
could be SO wonderful" he added. still
devouring her with his eyes. -,
II never meant you to know" she
said, sinking into the first chair, 'but
I couldn't bear to have you marry one
a. those applicants-it was too much.
I never thought you'd be so rude and
lift my veil. 1t was foolish Of me to
come-please let me go now" r. !.
Eyes, Pm going to take you home,
but not until I know who you went
out to dinner with on Thursday. I've
thought about it ever since.
~. mo one at ALL" i
'Thank goodness! l Want to know
If you will go out to dinner with me
tomorrow night, and every night after
that for the rest of your life? love
you'll have for long time, but l
didn't know it and was coming to tell
you about. 1t tomorrow. I've been Z
fool but I'll promise. to be wiser after
this If you'll only take me-" 3e4
He was kneeling beside her now,
and both her hands were in his.
"Oh. do love you," said Jean, soft
~, Better than anyone In the world,
and IL you approve Of me really, TIL
answer your advertisement. tonight.
You're right sure I'll do?"
'So sure that we'll 60 out now and
have our first dinneri"
And together they ran hand In hand
down the stairs, laughing as they
vent.