Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-12-23

and II I should change-well, he might
be polite about it. but it wouldn't be
quite fair to him. would it?"
why put 1T off until sixty?" he asked
dryly.
"oh, that happens to be when I prom
Used to CO."
You're still Miss Severn. aren't your
more dryly yet.
Curiously enough this was the fact
and she nodded and said: Yes; your
dreadfu prophecy seems coming true"
II should say there's hope yet" said
Ben. You're not more b a thirty-seven
or eight. are your"
"Thirty-six, thanks, mi still hopeful.
l still get along pretty well for an aging
spinster; on my last birthday / received
four-no, three-2resents OF flowers"
There's one rather bad sign-the last
time saw you you didn't list your con-
quests
For an appreciable pause they stood
smiling, but a smile that measured the
other; then subtly her expression
changed, without your being able to say
just how it changed.
why do you hate me so, I wonder?T
she said.
Hate your"
You hated me from the start, and II
wasn't quite fair, n I've always beer
sorry"
She was looking up at him. questioning
n candidly serious. and the unfamiliar
guise seemed to perturp Ben HUFF the
least bit; but he gave his shoulder 0
jerk, and his mouth went Into It's upward
twist.
Tn sorry, too, that you should have
had such an impression. Why should
have hated you? But my fault, probably
AS you know, Nv never got along toe
well with women"
The gay challenge returned to her eyes
"Oh. yes. I Notwithstanding In youl
nature-you're the man who's phleg.
matte, aren't you?"
Ben bowed, and looked sardonic anc
composed. and that was that. Some on
hurried up to claim Annabel. And they
did not have another tete-a-tete until
the evening before Annabel's departure
1t was again a picnic at the water
works, in Annabel's honor. a jolly affair
yet lacking something which had marked
that long ago festivity. Instead Of drift
ing off two and two to sequestered shad.
and to the ~rowboats. the crowd, as.
sembled in chatting groups; there fwas
music for dancing, but often the plat
form was nearly empty. while the major
ity lounged about comfortably and the
men smoked cigars.
And so when Ben Huff finally did his
belated duty by the guest she murmuree
to him as they danced: Its rather sad
dening, isn't it2"
What's ~saddening?"
All this"-with a little inclusive nod
at the scene
II hadn't noticed anything particu-
larly sad. 1t struck me as an unusually
Jolly party"
That's just tits jolly"
She half smiled and half sighed, anc
he glanced down at her.
What would you have? Don't you Iike
1ollity?" he asked.
"Yes-no. Well. we're the married set
now"
Ben smiled involuntarily. and q little
more grimly.
I'VE find thrills In our latest house
maid" continued Annabel, and juniors
tonsils, and a recipe for chocolate pud-
ding"
$50 much domesticity bores you. 1 sup.
pose" Ben remarked.
"Oh, no." with q slight shrug. 81 can
see there's something satisfying about 1t
rich n mellow. like the aroma OF
those cigars over there. And vet"
We'll, I suppose it's fair enough COM
pensation,' commented Ben as her voice
trailed off. You'll is bound to go; no
one can stay young forever-no one ex-
cept yourself"
If Annabel caught the barb she gave
no sign. Youth" she repeated softly.
What is 1t, really? And does it really
have to go because we gain years, and
maybe wisdom n husbands and wives
and children?"
Few of us can have our cake and eat
1t, too" observed Ben. not bothering