Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1919-05-15
A WOMAN Halter
Copyright, 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per syndicate.)
BY NJ. o. WHITNEY.

Dear Helen-It's no use. old girl. I
You might as well leave me alone In
my blessed singleness" aud forget you
know me when your desire for match.
making runs high.
You see, my dear sister-no kind Of
girl Gun interest me. You have tried
out every brand, all to no purpose.
Horrors; shudder, yet every time
I think of that Smith girl with the.
baby face, watching my every move
with her adcring eyes. II had to
endure that longer than week I'd
be dead one. And that vinegar
faced Miss Clapp. with her womnn's
rights. My hair Is streaked with gray
today, as a result Of having her In.
dicted on me for two days.
And Miss Munyon, the heiress-
Helen, where was your love for me
when you invited me to look after that
damsel for perfectly good week end1
Or was 1t your sweet way Of teach
ing me that all 10 not gold that gilt
tiers.
Filled with apprehension on account
Of my many narrow escapes, must
decline your kind Invitation for the
coming week end, and your newest
protege, Miss Longley, will have to
be thrust upon some other poor vic. !
tim. " 4
How are the kiddos7 Will run down
to see them as soon as your guests
have gone, and I can venture forth In
safety.
By-by, sister mine-and pardon me
for being happy confirmed bachelor.
Lovingly yours, BOB.
"Of all the conceited, impossible, ex.
asperating brothers. Bob Thornton is
the worst" Helen Arnold threw the
letter into the hearth fire.
That afternoon In the telegraph Of.
fee Of the city. however, the same Bob
was doing strange thing. He was &C.
tually staring at very pretty vision
in pink linen suit and large pink hat.
His thoughts were interrupted by the
young lady's voice. II wish to send a
telegram, please. viii you take It, to
Mrs. Helen Arnold, Mountainville, N.
HIT"
"Great heavens" exclaimed Bob
'my sister Helen-wonder who she Is"
Needless to say, he waited andously
for the message.
"Dear Helen" It ran. "Cannot come
before six o'clock train. viii arrive
Mountainville about $3.50.
(Signed) "ALICE Lt)NGLEY.'
"Alice Longley Bob Thornton,
you're fool, and everything that goes
with It," But without further reflection
he grasped pad, and second mes
snge was sent to his sister. .Have
changed my mind. VIII arrive $3.50.
train. "BOB. ns
II she still bore any resentment for
Bob's first letter, she had ample re.
venge in the three days which fol-
lowed. =
Bob was the devoted slave Of Alice
Longley, who with her sweet, quiet
manner Of refusing his every attention
nenrly drove him mad. When after
maneuvering for all he was worth to
accomplish it, he was finally chosen Ms
her escort for the bungalow party and
dance, he was happy for the first time
since his arrival.
But at the last moment the chit.
dren's maid received call to come Mt
once to the bedside Of dying sister.
and Mrs. Arnold did not know what to
do. She could not stay at home, since
she was the hostess Of the occasion.
Much to Bob's dtsmay, Alice L0ngley
sweetly asked IL she might stay with
the children. She would much prefer
1t to going to the dance, and she knew
Mr.. Thornton would be glad to excuse
her, .for-with smile at Bob-there
were so many other girls who were
waiting to dance with him.
About an hour after the departure Of
the party for the dance, Bob Thornton
returned disconsolate looking, and an.
grily chewing the end Of an unlightetl
cigar.
He found Alice sitting in big H.
brary chair-having put the young
stcrs to sleep, mending pair of tiny
socks.
She was very much surprised to see
him. and much more surprised, when
with sudden movement he came for
ard and without word, lifted her
In his arms from the big chair, and
kissed her soundly on either cheek.
"Therc." he exclaimed, "Now sup.
pose you will hate me worse than ever.
but just couldn't help 1t Miss Long.
ley-Alice please forgive me-" as he
saw the look Of pained indignation In,
her eyes-"I can only excuse myself,
by telling you the truth. I love you
how much only God knows, and when
came upon you suddenly, after q
miserable hour Of longing for you
well please don't ask me to explain
any more. Only tell me, daar-could
you, would YOU, let me try to make you
love me. Please give me chance.";
Alice Iongley's eyes were smiling
now, even though the lashes were wet.
'Afr. Thornton-Bcb," she replied,