The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1931-03-13

less adroitly, but nevertheless as
securely. Elmer had three hun
dred miles Of motoring before him
that day, SO he did not llnger Ions
over his leave-taking-just Ions
enough to swear undying love and
promise f%ervently to write the light
Of his life daily until they should
meet again-soon
AS a curious commentary on the
unfaithfulness of man and the gen.
eral Inconsistency of the creature,
1t is worthy to remark that thirty
miles up the road Elmer Clarke
quivered, sighed dismally and MUIR
INJURED very distinctly: "Oh. Lord,
what an ass | ami What a jam
I'm in! What am ! going to dor
About the same time Doris,
perched on Colorado Charley's thin
knees, was telling him the inside
story Of her conquest.
Colorado Charley stroked her fair
cheek. You're papa's little sweet
heart" he declared happily. Were
almost broke, Mae. When you've
had half a dozen letters from him
he should be touched for a thou
sand"
Elmer Clarke suffered every foot
of the journey back to PiIarcitos.
Not that he ~reproached himself
with having made a mistake; but
he faced an unpleasant issue and
there was no possible chance of
avoiding 1t If he purposed living
With himself the remainder of his
life. Rather than face Nellie and
tell her that the love he had for
merly vowed to her had all been
a mistake, he would cheerfully have
submitted to the bastinado.
Nevertheless, 1t had to be done,
ever though his sense of chivalry
and decency revolted at the pros
pect. He took Nellie out to Joe
Angellotti's road house for dinner
and tried desperately to be his
old cheerful self. However, no
man has ever succeeded in deceiv-
ing a highly intelligent woman who
loves him, and from the moment
she had got into the car Nellie was
aware that whatever II was that
troubled him he was not going to
keen 1t to himself forever. All
he required was q decent opportu
nifty to discharge his cargo Of grief,
80 on the way home Nellie decided
to be kind to him.
Elmer" she said suddenly,
'you're unhappy. Am / the cause
of your unhappiness?"
He nodded. afraid to trust him
self to speak.
"Well, we're not engaged, Elmer,
so speak freely. Is there another
girl?'
"Unhappily there is, Nellie"
"Unhappily for whom?"
''For both of u.s." he finally
ground Out.
Speak for yourself, Elmer" she
countered. Are you very unhappy
about it?"
"Quite."
"Why?"
"You ought to know" he com
planned.
81 am not a mind reader, FL
mer. That's why | ask questions.
Now that you have decided on a
new sweetheart, are you dissatis-
fed with your selectionT
"No-o!" He was ready to weep.
"It-it %lacerates me, Nellie, but l.
l had to tell you. A. fellows got
to come clean with a girl like you
no use to play a double game.
I've made q mistake. Took you
out tonight to tell you-thanks for
helping me with the dirty job"
"Please do not mention it, Elmer,
dear. It's my fault entirely. No
body knew better than | the risks |
was taking-a1ld I'm much too wise
to think q mere man a be q par
agon. You were quite within your
rights in following the dictates OF
your wandering fancy. l thought
you might want to some time, so l
decided to give you 4 free hand
and let 1t happen now. l entertain
no resentment, Elmer, and there
isn't the slightest necessity for you
and me disseminating u lovely
friendship. | am Of the opinion
that you do not know any more
about women than q gopher does
about astronomy and ! am perfectly
willing that you should have a wide
experience before take on the Job
of educating you. To date you're
the finest man / have ever met and
I'm not going to ruin my happiness
by letting you escape. I'll get you
yet, Elmer. Meanwhile, enjoy your
self"
And you're not angry with me,
Nellie2"
"Not the least little bit"
you're positively wonderful"
"You're positively childish. But
then most men are-where women
are concerned. Dear old boobyp
she murmured. II understand you
so well that explanations aren't
necessary. Cheer up, Elmer. and
be happy. By the way, the town is
agog with excitement over your
threat to run for mayor. Did you
mean it?"
"Surest thing you know, Nellie"
"Great newsI Well, here we are
at home. Good night, Elmer. Gods
In his Heaven. and all's right with
the world" She gave him her hand
at parting. "Whateyer you do, Ell
mer, use your head and not your
heart. Be sure you're right and
20 ahead"
Il want to kiss you," he half
growled.
you are d phllanderer, aren't
you? Well, what's q kiss more or