The Devils Lake world., 1921-11-02
Too Much in. the
Gaslight
By DOROTHY wHlTcoMB
90. 1871. WesIern Newspaper Unlon.l

mortal that ever existed. OF course he
ought to have been cheerful, for his
father, old Colonel Anderson, had
left him three million dollars in stocks
and bonds and nothing to worry about.
He became engaged to Miss Har-
greaves. Louise Hargreaves was the
belle of the season, as she had been
that OF, the preceding two, and they
had known each other for ages.
Once, when he had given her some
gardenias, he saw her, an hour after
ward, dancing, and she was wearing.
not gardenias, but red roses. This did
not pique William at all; it interested
him.
why aren't you wearing those gar
denias gave you7" he asked her Ia
ter.
'They faded" replied Miss Har-
greaves. Il think it must have been
the bright light"
"1'll give you some more" said Bill,
and turned away quite satisfied with
his answer. But Louise Hargreaves
laid her finger tips upon his arm.
"Wait minute" she said, almost
humbly. There's something I want to
ask you. Why don't you like me, Bill?"
tOnishment.
"Why, do" he answered bluntly.
Il think the world Of you, Louise. But
I thought hadn't chance with so
many other chaps around"
Louise Hargreaves turned as red as
her roses.
Il didn't ask you that, Mr.. Alder
son." she exclaimed angrily. "You
really are the most tactless man l
know" she added.
I'm sorry Louise" said Bill, peni-
tently. II wish you would marry me,
though. Won't you?"
And because he took her by surprise
though the unconscious initiative
had been hers-Miss Hargreaves ac-
cepted him then and there. At the
time she had not the slightest inten-
tion Of marrying him. She regretted
her impulse all that night, and the
next day she regretted it still more.
She wished William Anderson were q
thousand miles away. She told him
so when he called to see her, carrying
bouquet of-gardenias!
"Where do you want me to 80,
dear?' he asked.
"You sit right down in that chair, -
she answered, and planted herself
upon the arm. "Now, Bill, want to
be very serious with you. You are
very simple, straightforward person,
and I am complex and-well, not seri-
GUS. Sometimes my heart seems quite
withered."
"That's because you keep it in the
bright light" answered Bill, not quite
knowing that he was making a mot.
"Bill," she said earnestly, II don't
want to ruin good mans life. And
you are good. want you to make me
love you. I want you to dominate
me, Bill"
That afternoon he went round to
see his lawyers. Sharp and Sharp
were rogues.
"Mr. Sharp" said William to the
senior partner, respectfully, "how
much money have I got left?"
Mr.. Sharp looked in his books and
answered: "A trifle over two mil.
lions. Why?"
Because I'm engaged to be married, y
William answered. My father used
to tell me that some day he would
show me how to double my capital any
time l wanted to. Do you know how
to do it, Mr.. Sharp?" he asked, look.
ing frankly at the senior partner.
"Well-erit can be done, OF
course" he answered.
II guess can trust you, Mr.. Sharp
answered Bill, wringipg his hand
my father used to tell me always to
be bull. Can't you be bull for me7'
"Weli," answered Mr.. Sharp, II hap
pen to have good thing or two In
mind"
alright, 1 leave it to you," said
William, and wrung his hand again
and went away.
Three weeks later Sharp and SHARP
shut up their Offices for good.
Bill, walked round to see Miss Har.
greaves.
"Louise, DEAR" he observed, 'I've
lost every penny Ihad."
$50 Mr.. Sunderland was telling me
yesterday" she answered. "What are
you going to do, Billf'
I'm going West" he answered. VIII
you wait dear?"
She looked at him in amazement
She had long known that it would be
impossible for her to marry Bill.
"I-Tll write to you," she gasped
and fed, choking, up the stairs. That
afternoon she wrote Bill long letter
She told him that she could never
marry him. Bill read it and stayed
away. He had made all the prepara
lions for his departure when, SharI
4 and Sharp were caught in Montreal
with one million, nine hundred ant
seventy eight thousand dollars Of Bil'l
money salted away. William unpacket
his suitcase and went round to sex
Miss Hargreaves.
ssIt's all right, dear" he told her