Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1921-05-06

urned his mothers piercing scrutiny
aWen, there is no use in being too
hasty; Rose is young yet"
Mrs. Ross moved so briskly that her
darning-egg rolled out of the sock and
dropped young! DO you know that
she was twenty-nine her last birth.
day. You are three years older, and
vet you go about placidly as though
you were both eighteen years Old.
Haven't you seen Tom Briggs going
into their yard every single day? Do
you know that he took her flowers YES
terday and candy the day before ?
He'll cut you out yet"
Len flushed. "Why, | thought Rose
liked" he stopped and stared ut the
dapper figure of Tom Briggs who
passed at that moment. There was n
confident smile on the dark, handsome
face of the young man who had re-
turned to his home town for a few
weeks On business.
liked yeS-but do you suppose
she's going to pass up a chance like
that in case you might, sometime, get
up enough spunk to propose? Tom is
wealthy man, he has had advantages
that you've never had. He talks
French like a native and his suits
we'll, you just ought to hear the girls
rave about his Clothes"
mo use of a man being a sissy"
commented Len, rising and standing
over his mother. When he was stand
ing Len looked like a blond giant,
With his thick, fair hair, and large,
serene face.
mo use of man being afraid to
speak out" Mrs. Ross smiled down
into her mending as she heard his
half-suppressed ejaculation.
The whole village had been fluttered
since the coming of Tom Briggs. AL
though he owned the handsome brick
house on Main street, he had not both
cred to open ii up for his brief stay.
At the hotel he had taken the best
room and his queer city ways were
the unfailing topic under discussion
Whenever he was not present.
After his early supper that night
Len gave his thick hair an extra
brush and changed his coat. Then he
went slowly down the street toward
Roses home.
Mother feller's calling on your
girl" tainted Sam, and lodged back
behind his faithful hedge.
Len began to think seriously. Tom
was good-lOoking man.
Rose was working on a piece of
crocheting, although the dusk was ap-
preaching swiftly. Tom, a picturesque
figure in a white silk suit, was sit
ing well forward in his chair and
talking in low, earnest tones.
Len slowly pushed open the gate
and went up the walk. Rose greeted
him quietly, and nodded toward
another chair
Don't you get pretty sick of this
mall<own stuff, Len?" Toms dark
eyes studied the others face.
No" said Len, replying to the I'M
spoken, but implied taunt; "guess it's
Just about my speed. They're all my
nome folks and l wouldn't feel salts
Ted anywhere else"
But" objected Tom, flicking the
ashes of his cigarette with white
nand, there are no opportunities for
dig deals here"
Len followed the flash of the jewel
on the effeminate finger: Maybe
not. I'm making more every year, and
That satisfies me-"
Tom finally took his leave. He
knew Len of old, and did not try to
Outsiay him, as he would have done
with almost any other fellow.
Think over what l said" he had
Oehi over Roses chair and the words
were a mere whisper, but Len heard.
Hose," Len had waited until the
ellcK of the gate had sounded after
iohls departure, "are you going to
marry Tom?"
Rose failed to reply. Are your"
Few note had crept into the quiet,
assured voice. Len had become
frightened.
Rose evidently was undecided. The
upper Tom Briggs, with his bale of
aealth, the owner Of the elegant brick
MUSE with satin-covered furniture in
we Dig parlOrs, had dazzled her.
a stray moonbeam rested on rhe
sr's dark head, turning it into
uiisIy silver, and Len, rising hastily,
Mought tancifully that she would look
"Ae mat in 20 years time when they
we're growing old. But" he thought,
nrenching his hands, "she shan't be
Toms wife"
Len bent hastily over the silent girl.
ioa don't answer, Rose. I'll put the
question differently: Are you going
marry me?"
vi course. Who else?" Roses
,aeehuous eyes met his own in the
aen' cast by the moon. The man was
Sue that smile of amusement lin
ssieu In the usually candid depths
sa' ne was too content to inquire fur
Ier' She was his girl, and that was
~ he cared about.