The Bismarck tribune., 1924-09-26
A Little Change
in Sweethearts
By ELLA SAUNDERS

BY ELLA SAUNDERS
Big Dan Morgan was back from
the West after FIVE years alb
sence, and Milly was watching him
in terror all through his visit. Was
this the man she had practically
engaged herself to?
And he had come back as poor
as lie had gone. And he looked
twenty years her senior. Milly had
been only eighteen when Big Dan
went away, and now she was twen-
ty-three, and-there was Jim.
What fool to expect her to
have been true to him! And the
impudence Of him, coming back pen
niless!
Il can't marry him. Aunty, l
can't" sobbed the girl when he had
gone.
Aunt Miriam. who was not far
from forty. a little, faded. gentle
woman. sighed. She knew the
worth of Big Dams heart. But
what was the use Of trying to ex-
plain that to her niece-flighty
little Milly. whose head was turned
by anything masculine that ap-
peared on the scene?
Hes old. and he's a failure. q
horrible failure" sobbed Milly.
And Jim's making good es quick
as he IN. And he wants to marry
me. O there you are!'
Big Dan came every evening,
and Milly grew harder and colder.
hut Big Dan didn't seem to see.
The West hasn't improved him."
she told her aunt, jeeringly.
"Milly, dear, If you really feel
that way you ought to. tell him."
her aunt protested. "It's easy to
see he hasn't any idea that you
don't intend to marry him. You
must play fair with him."
You tell him!" said Milly.
"Why. child, what an idea !" ex.
claimed Aunt Miriam. much
shocked.
I'm not going to-"
But he's leaving for the West
again In few weeks, and you
must-yOu must have it settled one
way or the other"
''Well, it will be the other, then"
said Milly. "And I'm not going to
see him when he comes here on
Saturday"
Dan Morgan had gone away for
few days and had intimated that
on his return he would have i'm.
pOrtant news for them.
No argument of her aunt's
could shake the girls resolution,
and 1t was with desperate anxiety
that Miss Miriam waited Big Dams
arrival on the Saturday evening.
: She knew the tenderness Of heart
that underlay his rough exterior,
and she dreaded the shock that her
news would give him, vy..
Big Dan breezed In and shook
hands with her. where's Milly?"
he asked.
"she-she had to, go out" fal-
tered Miss Miriam. "She was so
sorry-No, she wasn't sorry" she
added, with a sudden burst of de-
cision. I'm going to tell you the
truth. because she won't tell you
herself. She's in love with another
man, and she wants to marry him.
And now you know the worst"
said Miss Miriam, bursting into
tears and hiding her face In her
hands. y 49,, -.
Big Dan stood perfectly silent In
front of her. Miss Miriam did not
dare look up. How was he taking
1T? If she gauged Big Dan Morgan
Alright the shock would nearly kill
him. ..,..
Or worse. It would destroy his
faith in womanhOod, that woman
hood she believed in so sincerely.
Big Dams voice broke on her
ears. "That's too bad, Miss Mir
iam," he said. II had some good
news for her. I've sold that gold
mine I was telling about for mil:
lion dollars. I'm to be manager Of
the company. and I'm starting West
tomorrow"
Miss Miriam looked up. Looked
Up incredulously, for Big Dan stood
there actually smiling.
~ II guess it's not such bad news
to me as you suppose, Miss Mir
iam," he said. II kind OF guessed
which way the wind was blowing.
And besides, I've got my own rea-
SONS to be glad. There's another in
nv ihind-has been for ever 20
long. Yes, I surely am glad of the
news that you've told me today"
Suddenly his arm slid around
Mtsb. Mlrihm's waist. a,.a>a
'It's you / want" he said. II
want you to come West with ME
tomorrow. can't tell you how
happy I'll be If you will. Do you
think You cam" ~
s'Oh, I don't. know what to Say."
s0h6ed Miss Miriam.
'T'll tell you." smiled Big Dan,
- 1874. WeGesrn NswSp6psr UAloAy