The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-01-11
A WISHING GAME
BY M. M'cULLCCE4-WlLLfAMS
WIT, " tAIC NINO4'
per Syndicate.)

Let's play WISH Oh. It's the UAiJ
way Wen ever get things" Joe said,
trying to speak lightly, but failing
rather piteously.
Leslie smiled softly. "You first"
she said. ~ have to be shown, you
know Wish me-what you will"
ooh! First, an Easter bonnet, with
a towering feather on it," Joe half
chanted, adding with grimace,
s'Might as we'll wish you a crown
"Got all the crown | pine fora
| martyrs" Leslie retorted. Then, with
q little laugh: "Joe, you were made
for grandeurs. I wish on you Paris
frock-the last word of fashion-and
all that goes with it; motorcar, OF
course, and, equally, Of course, a hus-
band to provide it,
you generous person!' Joe cried,
standing on one foot and swinging the
other. For a moment she was a11igure
of 10Y, all worries forgotten in the pic
ture of her imaginary self. only
please wish the right husband. !
couldn't bare him If he was bald or
had a face that sat propped on dou-
bic chin"
Il must say you're over nice. Never
look gift-husband in the mouth" Les
lie flung back.
They thought themselves alone in
their aunt's house-a big house, beau
tifully furnished, with all save love.
She gave it's. shelter rather grudgingly
to those children of her sister and her
brother.
Through an open window came the
Whit of. fine cigar; following it, the
slight stir of one rising from a rather
creaky steamer chair. Joe started vio-
lently whispering: "The Sultan must
be here How did it happen, all un-
known by u.s."
'Came by airplane, most likely Les
lie returned as cautiously. "But I'm
wondering how long ago. Suppose
only suppose-he overheard!"
Better DEATH" Joe whispered, strik-
ing an attitude, but giggling too much
to hold it. Cautiously the pair crept
into the wide hall, up the stairs, down
a corridor, and at last won haven In
their own special wing. A tiny Win
dow in it, almost obscured by vines,
gave them a view of the piazza out
side the library, where they had talked.
Yes, there sat the Sultan, otherwise
John Melton.
easy mind here. He looks too
wooden for anything. If he heard, he
didn't understand Joe commented,
putting down the glasses through
which she had surveyed him. I'D
rather die q spinster-almost," Joe
said plasntively. She had the glasses
again. Through them the piazza show
ed very near. Hence she saw clearly
a dog, whining, frothing, whirling, dart
round the angle of it and leap toward
the unsuspecting sitter. One, twice,
thrice the mad brute sprang, but Joe
saw only the first leap. With Leslie
at her heels she ran to the strangers
help. None too soon.
AS they came upon him, he stood
tense, jaws set, hands locked about the
dogs throat, holding it away from him
with the strength of a giant.
"Get something's blanket-thicker
the BETTER" he ordered over his Shout
der at sound of footsteps.
Leslie darted to fetch a heavy
steamer rug. Joe hunted cOrd-clothes-
line, strong and flexible How she did
1t she never knew, but in some fashion
a dangling moose Of the cord caught
over the snarling, strangling muzzle
and was deftly drawn taut. Then
cast of the robe made the creature
helpless. "Now, please, I'm very lone
some. Won't you let me in the game"
"You listened!' Joe cried.
Melton nodded. Nothing else
could do" he said, almost plaintively.
"You know the doctrine Of necessity
excuses almost anything"
eff only we had known" Leslie MUIR
INJURED.
A fortnight later he asked Joe to
marry him, and marveled that she
turned as white as death while she
listened. When he waited her answer
she turned from him, walked the room
length twice, then stopped dead, say
ing, you've made mistake. You
don't want me-Leslie-"
"What of herr" Melton asked.
Joe choked, but went on bravely:
''Take her out of all this. She Is al
imost mad from it. l want her to be
happy. No matter about me-
"She shall be happy. We will not
leave her here. But you must take
me- or that can't happen" Melton said
lgaily.
Joe looked away. "She won't co."
sShe said.
TASK her." Melton returned, smiling
iwhimsically.
And before Joe could speak there
was Leslie right behind her, saying
with happy tears:
"Dear girl, it is-all right"
Marching to ts1e Left.
Soldiers when marching at night
IN =