The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-09-13
NellieDayton
Nay"
Copyright, 1919. by the Western News
paper Union)
BY SAIDEE E. BALLOON

last time Marvin Wade marveled deep
ly over the perverSity of the nature
feminine She was something more
than lovely, was this idol of his
dreams.
Yet there was a winning gentleneSs
TO her manner a tenderness half ex-
pressed with those whom she liked
or pitied or wanted TO help. II was
because she saw sterling worth in
Marvin Wade that she checked his
first outburSt of love and repreSSed
its recognition in her own heart.
1--WE have not known each other
very long" she said; "and we are
young, and we will continue very good
friends"
The sincerity and earnestneSS of his
second appeal a month later well nigh
carried down the barrier Of her re
serve. He was SO manly, his longing,
ingenious eyes revealed a soul filled
with the deepest devotion, but pretty,
positive Nellie Dayton said:
You have not yet safely tested your
reserve strength for the battle of life.
There are trials and temptations. Are
you sure of yourself? Let US see what
a year or two may do for both of us
in the way of looking at the concrete
ways of life"
"Why, it's very plain the girl loves
you, Marvin" declared his closest
friend "She loves you so much that
she wishes you TO be sure that YOU
know your own mind"
"Oh, if she only really does like
me-" overtlowed Marvin, I'D he will
ing to wait one eternity for her."
"You know Nellie isn't much like
other girls Her folks were strict dis
ciplinarians, great church people, and
she, while neither prude nor Pharisee,
looks to truth and steadfaStness as
guiding elements. Trials? She wants
to see how you meet and conquer
them Temptation? You're dawless
in your habits, Marvin Why You
don't even know how to play bill
liards. Perhaps because thoughtful,
! anxious Nellie realizes that sometimes
/ the fellow who has never even smoked
a cigarette goes it like a whirlwind
when he does get started, she awaits,
that very test"
you've hit it-thats the keynote.
temptation p burst out Marvin con-
/ vincedly. "Oh, but she need never
think ] have any wild oats to sow
Why, every aspiration of my soul is
to nourish beautiful flowers Of the
mind that will bloom, and bloom, and
bloom clear to the end Of life under
! the golden sunshine of Nellie's sweet
smile!"
ooh, but you've got it bad That's
all right, though, and you're all right
/ too, and you're going to win Nellie in
! the end" and Marvin looked hopeful
and went away with big idea in his
mind
Temptation" reflected the ardent
lover-'that is the keynote of Nellie's
ideas, / see it clear as can be be. She
is such a perfect girl, with her charl-
ties and her strict church ways, that
If she should ever marry and find out
later that her husband swore or told
lies it would break her heart. / don't
pretend to be goody-goody, but / have
got manhood enough and respect for
my mothers, memory and regard for
Nellie to keep me from anything that
would grieve those love. Now If that
great bugaboo of my falling by the
wayside worries Nellie, I'm going to
show her / can stand the test"
1t was about a week after that
when Nellie heard news that grieved
her. girl friend came to her, all
a-futter with excitemenet.
"Oh, Nelliep she said, II hear some
dreadful things about Marvin Wade.
My brother says he's bound to go TO
the dogs, quick and fast, and dreadful
indeed. was the story she told. In
brief, item one: Marvin had been seen
smoking horrid big cigar Item two:
He had stayed half day with the
loungers in the billiard hall Item
three: He had joined a card party in
a private room at the town hotelt
Item four: A friend had to take him
home from a convivial stag party and
Marvin had gone around later, a total
wreck
The wreck" TO the amazement OF
Nellie, put in an appearance the next
day. She was in the garden when he
arrived, and she tried to look very Sc
we're as he took his place beside her
on a rustic seat
well, Nellie" he began, less the
penitent than the sorcitouS lover, I've
come to bid you goodby," and Nellie,
ready to deliver a severe lecture, be-
came very anxious-faced.
you see, I've been exploiting this.
trial and temptation idea of yours,
Nellie" went on the audaciOus visitor.
"As to the trials, I'm sure can bear
any of them like a regular hero II you
only love me- Terhptations-I ran
right into them. billiarded and was
bored to death. / firted with tobacco
and a mild decoction in rhe drink line,
and was sick for two days. Say. dear,
I've tested out the foRies that good
many fall for, and ] can say abso-