Mountain advocate., 1922-07-07
BILLS SECRET
ey DOROTHY LUCE

When Bill and Marjorie became en-
gagged, they agreed, with true lovers
confidence, that they would have no
secrets from each other. This was
easy so far as Marjorie was concerned.
but poor. beshful Bill, thinking Of his
desk and the lncriminating evidence It
concealed, felt quite uncomfortable.
However. he was too bllssfully happy
to stop at any promise on such an
occasion as this. He had captured the
one girl-that was all that mattered.
Bills mother, justihably pleased with
her sons choice, Invited Marjorie to
spend q week In town with them. This
suited his sister Dora. 1t meant a
chance TO inspect Marjorie's pretty
dresses at close range and perhaps
copy some Of the ideas besides, there
would be matinees, parties and the
companionship Of girl Of her own
age. Her mother would be especially
lenient, she knew.
How does 1t feel to be engaged1"
she asked Marjorie when they were
alone, talking rather too intimately Of
their personal affairs, as young girls
have way of doing.
And Marjorie, responding TO Dora's
eager questions, conhded, among other
things, "And we're to have no secrets
from each other"
"Oh, then" exclaimed Dora joyfully,
''you know what's in Blll's desk, and
he won't let any Of us open IT,"
mo- said Marjorie slowly, Just a
germ Of doubt beginning to trouble
her, but" she continued. Frightening.
"Tll ask him tonight. 1 know he'll tell
me-"
But Bill would not tell her. Darn
that KID he muttered. "She's for
ever prying into someone's affairs."
Marjorie coaxed at first, but BIZ
was obdurate, with a stubbornness that
silenced her. But II hurt, neverthe-
less, and the hurt finally grew out Of
all proportion 20 the cause In fact,
Marjorie herself never realized how
hear she came to breaking the engage
ment during the days that followed.
Alone together, they both maintained
a sullen aloofncss. Bill was In des-.
pair. .. ,-.'t.esL.
He had left her for the night and
was about to open the desk that had
caused so much trouble In his young
life, when he suddenly thought, "And
she'll be going home after tomorrow"
He gave the desk vicious kick and,
fllnGing the key across the room, he
dropped his head into his arms and did
what very little boys do sometimes
when their punishment seems too hard
to bear.
Tears, like laughter, must end some
time, however, but IL was detected
young man who left Bits room the
next morning.
Perhaps that was why he forgot all
about the key. Dora found It when
she went to make up his bed, and Joy
fully called to Marjorie.
"Shall open it?' she giggled.
at is lmmaterial to me-" Marjorie
answered with Il coolness that made
Dora look up sharply and gave her an
inkllng Of the true state of affairs.
1t was this, perhaps. that decided
her, for with a quick turn she I'M
locked the desk and rolled back the
cover. The first thing that caught her
eye was some pamphlets piled neatly
at the left. She picked one up, looked
1t over with puzzled frown, then
fairly screamed with laughter
"Oh, dear, oh, dear" she rocked
back and forth, unable to control her
mirth, lust listen, Marjorie. Let me
read you these titles-'HOw to Win
Her. by John Denton Gray, professor
Of psychology at Michigan university.
When and How to Propose How to
Hold Your Wife's Affection The Sue
cessful Marriage"
"Oh. dear, oh, dear! This Is too
funny! Won't I tease him! Just
wait"
Marjorie was conscious OF a great
relief and also OF a surge Of tender
ness, almost mOther-llke in its under
standing.
"You must never tell anyone OF this"
she warned Dora firmly, as the girl
locked the desk and placed the key
where she had found II. And Dora
never did.
Bill wondered at the sudden change
in Marjorie, but took his good luck
without questioning. he wondered still
more at the mIschlevous twinkle In
her eye when, little later. he said
Just the same, Marble, 1
think If one has an understanding OF
he can get anything he
wants"