The guardian., 1940-01-27
Patient Paul
By BARBARA A. BENEDICT
Associated Newspapers-wNU service.l

was nice. loo nice. Too good to
be true. He didn't seem real. It
worried her. Two nights ago he had
proposed and she had stalled him
off for no better reason than be-
cause she thought he was too nice.
She had promised to give him her
answer on the coming weekend.
They were to be members of a
crowd that were going up to Ned
FenWay's place on Winnepesaukee
Somehow she'd have to put Paul
to the test. Make sure about him.
There we're eight in the crowd be-
sides Paul and Alberta, and they
landed at Ned's place late Friday
night. 1t was perfect weather for
winter sporting, and the next day
every one got up early and put on
skis and went out on the slope of
Red Hill. Naturally, Paul and AL
berta paired off together. No one
thought it strange when, side by
side, they swooped off the beaten
trail and disappeared along a cart
path that wound through grove of
evergreens. q
Down in the evergreens they
stopped in a clearing which widened
at its farther end and became
gently undulating slope.
ITS pretty Steep" Alberta said.
"Think we can make it?"
MAKE it? Shucks, yes!" Paul
looked at her suddenly and swung
his skis around so that he stood
close. "But before we start, there's
something we've got to settle, dar-
ling. And right now is an excellent
time"
Alberta suddenly uttered little
cry of dismay and looked down at
her skis. ooh, look! The harness
on my left ski is broken! It's prac-
tically off,"
Paul got down on one knee and
examined the harness. you've lost
I strap" he announced. ''Must
have been worn and came off while
we were making that last rum"
The missing strap had practically
rendered the harness useless. Paul
took off his mittens and did what he
could with the rope. Watching him,
Alberta thought how nice he was.
Presently her thoughts we're in
terrupted by an angry exclamation
from patient Paul. His finger had
slipped and jammed against the cold
iron of the harness uprights.
Alberta looked alarmed and con-
cerned, but Paul only grinned and
said it was nothing serious, and
fell to again. After a moment,
while trying to pull the rope tight,
the same thing happened, and he
sWore, under his breath, to be sure,
but, nevertheless, a curse. This
time he didn't apologize, but kept
his head down and continued to fun
BILE with the harness. Alberta could
sense his effort to control his anger.
For moment or two Paul worked
in silence, and then abruptly with
out warning, he swore again, this
time making no pretext to prevent
her from hearing. He not only
sWore, but gave the ropes end such
a Jerk that Alberta lost her balance
and sat down suddenly. Paul looked
al her. His face was flushed and
a fierce light burned in his eyes.
Why, Paul Sothern!" said AL
berta aghast.
Slowly the expression in Pauls
eyes gave way to remorse. Good
heavens" he said "I'm sorry.
didn't mean to do that. I'm sorry,
really l am"
Sol" said Alberta. "You can't
keep your temper? Over a little
thing like that! I knew it. I knew
you we're too good to be true"
Paul regarded her unhappily. 81
suppose this means you won't mar
ry me?" He sat down in the snow,
looking miserable. "Well, don't
suppose can blame you. A girl
would be taking a chance to marry
guy like me. | do have a temper,
which, sometimes l can't seem to
control. That's why-I mean, I try
to be nice otherwise"
That's what l thought" said AL
berta. That's what l wanted to
make sure about"
What do you mean, that's what
l thought'?"
well, l mean, thought you must
get upset sometimes. You were try
ing to keep it from me-"
"Yes," said Paul dismally, II
was. This is what get for it,"
He sighed. "Well, let's get started
back"
1--WE can't" said Alberta. my
ski harness isn't fixed. Besides you
were going to ask me a question.
81 was only going to ask you,"
said Paul, 'to give me your answer
about marrying me-"
"And l was going to say no"
said Alberta, until | saw that you
could get mad.
Paul stared. Now wait a min
ute. Please explain thatl"
"Well," said Alberta. II thought
you we're awfully nice. Too nice.
It occurred to me that it would be
dreadful living with a man all the
rest of my life who didn't have
gimp enough to get mad and swear
once in while. That's why took
II m =