Marion Marlowe in Omaha, or, Held up by Accident — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“Never mind, we can wait, dear,” she said, very bravely. “If we stick to each other for three long years, I guess it will be sure proof 7 that we will stick forever !” ; = “T should say so,” said Bert, dolefully “but I don’t like it a bit, and, between you and _ me, girlie, I’ve got a little scheme in my nod- dle! A’m not built on a ‘waiting’ plan where i a wife is concerned, and there’s an old adage et that I’ve heard that I am going to put in pa shar ila You've he a peopie say that ‘what - married le Se It won’t do any harm to ask him, will it?” =... Miss Ellis straightened up in the sleigh ae “ and looked him squarely in the eye. Bt Oh, are going to marry your ~ father, why, ask him, of course; but before — if you you marry me, you'll have to ask me, Mr. a Jackson, and thus far in our conversation the : wedding day has not been mentioned.” » “Well, what do you say to Easter?’ asked “We might have a double It would be jolly, wouldn’t it; that is, if dad was will- Bert, promptly. wedding with Alma and her lover. ing?” : -* “Tt would be lovely, Bert!” was the happy answer; “but there’s just one drawback—l'd hate to leave Marion!” “Oh, Marion will be married soon! I haven’t a doubt of it,” was the cheerful an- “She'll wake up to the fact that she has a heart some fine day, and then, oh, then, swer. won’t some fellow be lucky!” “Suppose it should be the commodore!” ‘ cried Miss Ellis, back to the beginning of our talk, of course he will propose to her.” musingly; “for, to come “And what do you stippose our Marion will say’ If she was any other girl in the world 99 she would accept the fellow,’ was Bert’s swer. “Why should she, Bert?” Miss Ellis asked, ali- Bert, if you were always sweet. 17 sharply. “What in the world could Marion -or any girl see in that old fellow to love! He’s nice enough, but he’s too old and bluff for a husband.” “You think a young fellow with sweet manners is preferable, don’t you, dear?” asked Bert, glibly, as he drew the ribbons over a stubborn pair of bronchos and urged them up a little. “Nonsense! I don’t like sweet manners— that is not in a man,’@said the young girl, “T wouldn’t care a mite for you, In fact, | think I loved you best when you treated me the shabbiest.” Her voice was very low, but Bert managed promptly. to hear it, and he gathered the reins in his right hand so he could put his left arm around her. “When did I treat you shabbily, dearest ?” he asked, that, at any stage of our acquaintance.” softly® “I never intended to do Miss Ellis pouted for a minute, and then burst. out laughing. : “You flirted awfully, Bert; you know you did! Why, just think of the soubrettes that you have made love to, right under my eyes! T’ve been almost green with jealousy, but ! wouldn’t show it.” Bert squeezed her a little tighter, and then had to remove his arm quickly, for the ponies were getting the .best of him. “All the flirting I have ever done has been done right before your eyes, as you say,” he said, candidly. “That's better than doing it behind your back, isn’t it? ‘I couldn't have deceived you, because—well, because | loved you.” . se T . “ + ‘Oh, Bert! -What will your foster-father say: began Miss Ellis, timidly;-‘‘and, oh, dear, you have to leave me to go to college next fall! I shall die, | know [I shall, before that college course is over!” ‘6 1,894 F No, you won't!” said Bert, stoutly: GOmichooksnecom