Kansas University Weekly.
295
"I mean," was the deliberate answer, "that my well-beloved uncle, the lumber-king, has offered me the position of Lord High Boss in one of his lumber-camps and I am going to take it."
"But I thought you always expected to be promoted to the position of manager of the lumber-yard here at home."
"He offered me my choice. There's better pay up North, and, as I do not care a rap for this town or its people, I'm going to rough it awhile."
"Now I know that you are crazy—a fool— to sacrifice the start you have made here in your native town. Everybody knows you and respects you for what you made of your opportunities. There is not a business man in town but what acknowledges your clear judgment and good sense in business matters; and the dear mammas were always praising your kindness and thoughtfulness till the rest of us fellows used to feel like mobbing you; and the young ladies—now there's Miss Stelland: if Madame Rumor—"
Dale's chair came down with a bang. "Hang Madam Rumor!" he almost shouted. Straightening up he continued, "a fellow can't go with a girl twice in succession in this town but he's in love with her, and three times is as good as an engagement because all the rest of the young folks withdraw and leave a clear field. I never saw another such a set of weak-minded people paired off, even down to the school-children. Marrying and giving in marriage seem to be 'the chief end of man' in this town. Now Miss Stelland is a nice girl and has good sense, and she appreciates my efforts when I try to make her vacation here as pleasant as possible—a fellow'd be a brute not to take pity on a girl thrown among such 'spoony' people—but that's no reason why they should set our wedding day next June, just after she graduates, is it?"
"N-no, I guess not," replied his friend meekly "but then I have not made such a careful study of our society as you seem to have done. I had no idea that you were making such a martyr of yourself to uphold your native town during the visit of Miss Stelland. But I must finish these reports to-night without fail. There's the last
magazine, I'll be ready to go home in a half an hour or so."
Dale got up and went over to the window to look out; nothing but blackness. He turned and crossed the room to examine his friend's diploma; but he had seen it so often that he knew the Latin words by heart, and so, in a moment he was on the go again. Nothing in the room could hold his attention and after awhile he was merely pacing up and down the room, head bowed and arms folded.
"What's the matter with you to-night, Dale?"
what's the matter with you to-night, Dale?" "Nothing," said Dale with a start; "I'm just in a hurry to get home; that's all." And throwing himself into an easy chair, he picked up the magazine and began listlessly to turn the leaves. Soon some fragmentary conversation caught his eye and his face lighted up. He read to the bottom of the page but instead of turning to the next he went back to the beginning of the story. Settling himself comfortably in the chair he was soon lost to his surroundings.
"Ready to go, Dale?"
"Um hum" came from the depths of the chair but was followed by no movement on the part of the occupant. Seeing his friend so absorbed in the magazine, the doctor leaned back in his office chair, placed his feet carefully on the desk before him and proceeded to make himself comfortable while waiting for the story to come to an end. He was just beginning to doze when he was aroused by the sound of something falling to the floor. Dale with hands clasped behind his head was lying back in his chair gazing thoughtfully at the ceiling. On the floor at his side lay the magazine where it had fallen when it slipped from his lap.
"Did they get married?"
Dale started violently. "Oh! the story? No; he went off to Africa and died, and she devoted the rest of her life to charity. Have you read it?" I've been busy since it came."
"No; I've been busy since it came."
"I wish that you had. I'd like to have your opinion of the—the characters. You have studied literature."
"And you have studied human nature in general and the society of our town in particular.