The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-09-16
"Keep Them
Guessing Volume"
giI7E
By r. RAY BAKER

William Shakespeare didn't refer to
Florence Davidson when he made that
observation about 1t being easier to
give advice than to act upon II.
For Florence was one of those per-
sons that practice what they preach.
Her preaching was done through the
columns of the Evening Gazette, I'M
der the caption, Advice to the Love-
lorn, by Arabela Anderson" Every
day, except Sunday, Florence an
sWered questions Of young women, and
some young men, in regard to love af-
fairs, preceding the replies with an
article Of general advice.
These articles written by Florence
lately had been accumulated and pub
lished in pamphlet form under the
title, Keep Them Guessing" and
these pamphlets were distributed free
of charge to the readers of the Ga
zette who submitted the necessary
coupon.
Florence was a strong advocate of
guessing" in love affairs. She argued
that a young mans interest became
stimulated when he found himself I'M
able to fathom the depths of his
IDOLS nature. Keep them guessing;
never let up until the marriage knot
is tied, and don't let up then" was the
gist of her advice, and many fair
reader needed it and profited by 1t.
Because Florence practiced what
she preached, Harvey Roberts was
kept constantly on the anxious seat.
He never could tell just where he
stood with her. Her personality
seemed never the same. She was ex-
ceedingly agreeable and sweet one
day. and the next time Harvey saw
her she was cold and distant. She
never would admit definitely that she
would marry him, but whenever he be-
came convinced his case was hopeless
she would be sure to lend him fresh
encouragement by means of few
choice words of sentiment. He was
kept guessing
Harvey did not realize that he was
the constant subject of experiment for
Arabella Anderson Of the Gazette. In
deed, he was not aware that Florence
acted in that capacity on the news
paper, although Of course he knew she
held some position there. Yes, Har-
vey was experimental upon shameful
~ in order that the readers of the
Gazette might profit; but from this
It must not he inferred that Florence
did not care for him. She really was
in love with him, but felt she must
follow Arnbella Anderson's advice in
order TO keep him on the matrimonial
eligible list.
One day Harvey had called for her
at the Gazette Office and escorted her
to the modest dwelling where she lived
with her mother.
"Shall | see you this EVENING"" he
inquired, She had been particularly
amiablP. and he was confident she
would he glad to have him call His
insurance business had kept him out
of town for week and it seemed ike
years since they had been together.
He was then taken off his feet by her
response.
~ think not. Harvey. Really, | be-
lieve we should not see so much of
each other for while. Besides,
have another engagement for tonight"
but Florence" he protested. 81
haven't seen you for a week and"
Lets not argue" she broke in. II
think It is best, really, and | couldn't
break an engagement-even for you"
So Harvey went away with a heavy
heart. and Florence kept her engage
ment with n man she heartily disliked
1t was necessary, however, to forge
another link in the chain Of guessing
with which she bound Harvey.
Hell call me up in a day or two
and beg me to relent," she confidently
told herself, "and Of course I'll yield
to his pleading. It's all in the game"
Florence was ready TO relent, but
she didn't get the chance, for Harvey
failed to fulfill her expectations. He
did not telephone to her and she re-
ceivPd no word from him through the
mail When three days had passed
she began TO be worried.
Then came the climax. Florence
went to the theater one evening with
her mother, and there she saw Har.
vey with another young woman. 1t
literally appalled, her. Such thing
was unheard of. He appeared to have
broken away from the letters she had
tied with such painstaking care.
At first Florence was angry. What
right had Harvey to pay attention to
another girl after the many protesta-
tions Of love he had poured into her
ears? But her anger cooled and anx-
iety took its place. She stood ready
to forgive II only Harvey would come
back.
But Harvey made no effort to see
Florence. He must be away on bust
ness she decided; but 1t was odd not
to receive letter from him IL such
were the case. She discovered he was
not out Of town one evening when
she went to restaurant for dinner
and found him dining there with the
same girl who had accompanied him
to the theater. This time Florence