The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-12-15
N NNU ~hopyriqhf 1921 byf the Bell Syndlcote. Inc

This, evening was glorious; there
we're apples and cider and cake and
walnuts, perfectly cracked, and q
large open-hearted box of candy.
Naturally, these being the circum-
stances, Herbert was among the
guests; and. though rather at a dis
advantage, so far as the conversation
was concerned. not troubled by the
handicap. The reason he was at a
conversational disadvantage was
closely connected with the unusual
supply Of refreshments; Uncle Joseph
and Aunt Carrie had foreseen the
coming of several more Atwaters than
usual, to talk over the new affairs of
their beautiful relative. Julia. Sci
dom have any relatives new affairs
peer more thoroughly talked over than
were Julia's that evening, though all
the time by means of various symbols,
since it was thought wiser that Her
bert and Florence should not yet be
told of Julia's engagement, and Flor
ence's parents were not present to
confess their indiscretion, Julia was
referred to as "the traveller" and other
makeshifts were employed with the
most knowing caution; and all the
while Florence merely ate inscrutably.
The more sincere Herbert was as
placid; such foods were enough for
him.
"Well, all l say is, the traveller bet
ter enjoy herself on her travels" said
Aunt Fanny finally, as the subject
appeared to be wearing toward ex-
hausticn. "She certainly is in for it
when the voyaging is over and she
arrives in the port she sailed from,
and has to show her papers. I agree
with the rest Of you; she'll have a
great deal to answer for, and most
of ell about the shortest one My
own opinion is that the shortest n is
going to burst like a balloon"
'The shortest one" as the demure
Florence had understood from the
first. was her Ideal-none other than
Noble Dill. Now she looked up from
the stool where she sat with her back
against a plaster of the mantelpiece.
"Uncle Joseph" she said-'I was Just
thinking. What is a persons reasOn?"
The fat gentleman, rosy with fire.
light and cider, finished his fifth glass
before responding. well, there r
persons 1 never could find any reason
for 'em at all. "A persons reason =
What do you mean, "a persons rea-
SON. F~lorence?"
81 mean like when somebody says,
They'll lose their reason" she ex-
planned. "Has everybody got a rea-
son. and if they have, what is it, and
how dc they lose it, and what would
they do them"
ooh. I see! p he said. you needn't
worry. I suppose since you heard it,
you've been hunting all over yourself
for your reason and looking to see if
there was one hanging out Of anybody
else, somewhere. No; it's something
you can't see ordinarily, Florence.
Losing your reason is just another
way Of saying going crazy!'"
"Oh," she murmured, and appeared
to be somewhat disturbed.
At this, Herbert thought proper to
offer q witticism for the pleasure of
the company.
you know, Florence" he said. lit
only means acting like you most al
ways do He applauded himself with
a burst of changing laughter which
ranged from a bullfrog croak to a
~collapsing soprano; then he added
ESPECIALLY when you come around
my end Henry's newspaper building
You certainly lose your reason every
time you come around that ole place! ="
"Well, course l hat to act like the
people that's already there" Florence
retorted. not sharply, but in a musing
tone that should have warned him.
1t was not her wont to use a quiet
voice for repartee. Thinking her hum
BILE. he laughed the more %raucously.
"Oh, Florence" he besought her.
SAY not so! Say not sol"
"Children. children" Uncle Joseph
demonstrated.
Herbert changed his tone: he be-
seriously %plaintive. well, she
act thei WY Uncle Joseph
When she comes around there you'd
think we were runnin' a lunatic
the way she takes on. She
hollers and bellers and squalls and
squawks. The least little teeny thing
she don't like about the way we run
our paper, she comes iappin' over
there and goes to %screechin' around,
you could hear her out at %poorhouse
farm 7"
'Now, now, Herbert" his Aunt Fan
ny ~interposed. Poor little Florence
isn't saying anything impolite to you
not right now, at any rate. Why don't
you be a little sweet to her just for
once?"
Her unfortunate expression revolted
all the cousinly manliness in Herbert's
BOSOM. BE a little sweet to her? p"
be echoed, with poignant %incredulity,
and her in candor made plain how
poorly Aunt Fanny inspired him. Il
just exackly as soon be a little sweet
TO an alligator" he asserted; such
was his bitterness On this subject.