The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-01-30
Winning a
Wife
00
By L HAMILTON
Copyright. 1919. BY the Wsstsrn News
pap UniOn.)

He was a man who prided himself on
system in all his actions and, he
hoped, on sense.
I've saved up enough to start IN
right" he told a close friend, "and
the day l marry I shall have my own
house ready TO go into and provided
In a general way so far ahead that
the high cost or living will moth
ing to me-"
Morton had his preference as to a
wife. II there was one young lady
he most coveted 1t was Dorothy Nor
ton. but he did not tell her so.
His system" forbade venturing ga
rash break" as he termed it, until
he was able TO make a suitable pre-
sentiment Of his home and it's acces-
series. In a quiet. almost secret way
Morton purchased a house at the edge
of the town with a lot ample for a
garden and limited minor farming.
and ordered it painted and decorated.
He had a garage built, a chicken
house, a COW stable and a pig pen.
'touih bt I'NHta vi SSSS, Duttti
and milk, he resolved. and each fall
a porker to cut up and salt down for
the winters meat supply. He already
owned an automobile. Little by little
Grated furniture and other household
belongings began to arrive, and final
" about everything necessary for a
modern model house was stored in the
vacant rooms.
I'm all ready" he soliloquized with
satisfaction. and wended his way to
the home of Dorothy. He joined her
in the garden, INDUCED in no circumlo-
cution. told her frankly that he loved
her. asked her to become his wife and
then fairly gasped, for Dorothy was
overcome. She acted like a person
half frightened to death.
"Oh. Mr.. Lunt,' she breathed be-
wflderingly. II never expected this,
and indeed. indeed I must not STAY
with you another minute! l promised
mother I would never fall in love
with anybody without first telling her,
and here I've gone and done i'll
mean you have honored me with a
proposal. Then. too. father is away
and | would have to find out what he
thinks about it, and there are our
chickens over in our neighbours yard.
Oh! please give me time to think
to arrange. I mean. to tell the folks"
and blusfdng like a peony and in a
state of f~luttering embarrassment and
confusion Dorothy ran after the
truant fowls.
Morton passed several days after
that in great anxiety. At the first
he felt sure that Dorothy would meet
him or write him. but she seemed to
keep purposely on. of his way and not
a line did he receive. With a sore
heart he finally made up his mind
that he had frightened away a good
friend In seeking an unwilling bride.
He would visit his desolated home
feeling as though he was among the
ruins OF some treasured palace. Bit
by bit. however. his philosophy came
to his rescue. The fruits of all Of his
planning must not 60 for naught.
There was many q girl in the world
worth seeking. and doubtless glad to
become mistress Of a comfortable
home. Morton placed an advertise
ment Ia . city newspaper stating that
N. l.. lock box q. Rushville." wished
to hear from ~matrimonially inclined
young ladies who could appreciate 4
life partner with . kindly disposition
and the inclination to make q helpmeet
happy.
During Z whole month Morton had
not met Dorothy to speak to her and
had seen her only 1T Z distance. One
afternoon at the beginning Of the NTH
week OF his exile. he went down to the
post once to fnd his lock box chock
full Of replies to his advertisement.
Not only that. but . red card re-
Quested him TO present the same FOR
overflow mail addressed to II. L.
There were letters and letters in
daintily scented envelopes Of an
shades and Sizes. He crammed his
pockets full Of them and decided to
seek the seclusion Of the woods lining
the river and have an uninterrupted
opportunity Of studying their con-
tents. He.had almost reached Z shady
covert In view when 4 turn In the
path brought him face to face with
-Dorothyi
There vas Z sweet smile Of welcome
on her bonny face, there val a mag
netism In her innocent eyes that thrilled
him. Artlessly. with palpable eager.
ness she came nearer to him.
"Oh! Mr.. Lunt." she said, 81 was
hoping to z you. I had to wait till
father came bone from his trip. He
last night and / asked him II
I could-that Is. would he"
Let You marry me-" propoundeI
Morton anxiously.
yes. MI. Lunt, and he and mother
both like you"
"And about yourself. Dorothy,
DEAR"
.s0h roulA hev> %nlA vou +ho&