Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-03-12
By Charles ]. Met uirk

c even If you did. you'd never thin
that gentleman. Mr.. Endicott. woul
ever be capable Of any but the mo,
honorable actions. Why, any near
ness would hurt his artistic sense.
Emily, I'm speaking to you no
, for both Sarah and myself. I war
to acknowledge a debt we'll never b
able to repay you. You did a. niue
as both OF us together TO raise GU
family to be the fine sort it is. You'v
been closer to III boys and girls a
times than either Of us. Why, you'v
even encouraged me, when you didn'
even know I was low and blue. You'y
pretty near given your life for the ST.
Of us.
Nov, any friend Of yours, man O
woman, is more than welcome in thi
house. Never forget that it's as mucl
yours as the rest of the family. Ane
I think Harold Endicott's a fine gen.
tleman. And I'm mighty proud O.
you for finding him-though how yor
did it's beyond mel"
"Evan!" said Emily. beginning t<
whoop, II got him-by ARR"
Nearly two months few past.
They were gathered In the Hustead
living room, which was so worn and
mellow with living. Emily and Harold
Endicott, and Sarah and Evan.
Evan, after fifteen minutes delibera-
ton, moved a red king" q square for
ward. Harold advanced a black man"
three squares away. Evan Immediately
moved another king" into a position
to Jump two Of Harold's men," And
Harold sprung his trap and swept the
board. Evan glared at him and Harold
said alphabetically:
That play was shown me by an old
chap, Jed Tollivah, when I was a boy
leahning the grocery business. It's a
coahkah, isn't it. Only foah it, you
had me-"
Evan sadly folded up his board.
Harold" he said, you certainly can
play checkers. I thought / was good.
But you're better"
Emily, beside them, sewing q dress
for Mary, calmly agreed with Evan.
Harold could do anything. Funny, she
thought, how the family had adopted
him. 1t was as If she had enticed q
stray thoroughbred into the house and
fed him friendship and sympathy and
respect. And he had responded, opened
up the shy secret places of his heart
to them. She wondered. a bit impa-
tiently, when he was going to propose.
1t was obvious enough he loved her.
The children already called him Uncle
Harold" She wished she wa one Of
these modern women Of whom she had
heard but never Then she'd
make him.
Harold had already decided that
matter. 1t was to be tonight. And it
happened in the time between Sarah's
and Evans departure for bed and the
children's return from the movies.
my deah," he began without warn
Il am suah you know what my
feelings towahd you have been since
long befoah we met. (She watched his
mobile mouth from whence came al
ways the perfectly formed words. She
wondered whether its beauty came
his tender care Of every word he
I am not a great puhson. I
n Of the wuhld's little people,
My careeah has been uneventful, but
t has been clean. My futuah looms
lnspectaculah but respectable, with
in it Of monay which will &C
,rue from tahsks done as well as 1t
les in my conscience and capabilities
do them. I believe theah Is ad-
,ancement befoah me. I have been
Idle to offah cuhtain suggestions which
been received with approval by
he WOIU Broadcasting companee. I
'eah that a lady Of youah chahm may
AXE my proposal lightly. Nevahthe-
ess, feeling as I do, I must beg you
oah the honoah to become my wife"
why, Of course, Harold" Emily &C.
'epted with such alacrity that she
rowned on herself for forwardness.
He held a diamond solitaire In his
land 50 that she might slip her finger
.to 1t.
II gambled," he said with q shy smile.
My very deah!"
Love, Emily learned when she kissed
and rumpled his hair, was warm
waves OF tenderness engulfing her. And
fierce wish to protect him. And q
knowledge that this small man was
art of her forever and forever. Wasn't
is mouth gentle! /.
Love, Harold Endicott found out, was
miraculous wonder that this tender
OddeSS should care for himI