Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-04-20
The New Planchette

''Why, Celia Bethune! lam SO glad!"
she cried, in, greeting her visitor.
''Yes, wanted to see you," the girl
returned fervently, as they kissed each
other. 81 was out for spin and came
this way. = IS How do you like
my new suit?''
II like it. It looks just lovely on you."
isn't the skirt too short?'
''Not a bit. You want it short"
"But not too Short" insisted the girl.
81 was SO afraid it would be too short.
Some look perfectly shocking"
II know. But yours isn't a bit. too
short. Come in this way, where we can
sit down.
'.Oh, but I mustn't stay"
II thought you wanted to see me?"
Cela's exercise had heightened the
color in her pretty face. but blush In
creased it still more as Mrs. Cassidy re-
called those first words. Celia covered
her confusion with more talk in re-
gard to her new gown and the trials
she had undergone in having it cut and
fitted. Even as she spoke Mrs. Cassidy
seemed forced to take the girls meas
ure.in a certain other light.
How old are you, Cela?" she asked,
abruptly.
"Why, Laura Cassidy! What ques-
ton! Do you think I'm going to tell?
- Nineteen. Why?''
s'You'n be getting married before
long"
.'Oh, my goodness! I'm never going
to marry. But I've had proposal -
biushing furiously.
''And you've said: Yes I'm so glad.
How lovely of you to come and tell me
all about it."
Mrs. Cassidy was about to fold the
girl in her arms again, but Celia waved
her off.
''Oh, dear, no! And what's more, I'm
not going to say: Yes oh, I don't
know what I'm going to say. How do
you decide about such things? You've
had to, once, not long ago. Tell me.
That's what came for"
.S "A note of tremulous despair lowered
about her voice.
tits easy. You must know whether
you love Norman Ford or not
''Norman Ford! How did you guess
him?"
''Why, who else could it be?"
HE isn't the only young mani" Celia
retorted, with touch of resentment.
Mrs. Cassidy gave tone to q rich
laugh. She was in love with the mo-
ment. Celia was mindful only of the
main question.
You see, would have to leave papa
and go and live with Mr.. Ford. I've
only known him few MONTHS year
or two at most-and I've known papa
all my life.''
Mrs. Cassidy's laugh was very pro-
voking. Celia was vexed.
"Oh, you know what I mean. What
makes you behave so? I thought you
would help me-"
''And SO will. You must stay with
me q week. Send for your things. You
must think it over. A matter Of this
kind can't be decided at once"
''That's just what told Norm'!" said
the girl, flashing joyously. "It's so kind
of you to help me. knew you would
Iwant to talk it all over with you. You
see, don't want to make any mistake. >
And talk it over they did every day
almost every hour, for aweek.
1T will be better for you not to see
Mr.. Ford until you can give him g
definite answer" her friend had said
and Celia acquiesced in the wisdom OF
this. "Of course, I can't choose fol
you. can only help you to know your
own mind
"How did you ever choose?" Celia
asked, envious of her friends ability.
''It was easy. I just knew"
''rhat's it; you always know every
thing and I never know anything"
Later, when Mrs. Cassidy questioned
her, Celia said: I'm the morning I'm al
Tor papa. Then it seems just as clear a.
can be what shall do. But toward
evening about the time Nor-Mr Fore
usually comes''-the red poured into
Cela's cheeks-"why, I'm all at see
again.
''But you don't really have to choose
between them. You just"
ooh, yes, do!'' interrupted Celia
very positively. sit can never be the
same. It will all be different. should
have to give up papa, and shall mos
certainly say: No."
This was in the morning.
In the afternoon Mrs. Cassidy anc
Celia went for spin through the parks
on their wheels. Y
ooh, Mr.. Ford and I have had sucf
lovely rides on tandem that he has!'
Celia said, rapturously. II wish I ha6
written him note telling where am
staying. I really don't think there
would be any harm in his coming, AMI
he might help me to a decision. 1treal
~ seems as if it would be heartless tc
say: No. for he says he thinks every
thing of me. You just ought to heal
him once! And, as you say, I haven't
really got to give papa up. He might
come and live with us. Anyway, could
see him every day-almost as much as
lido now, for he's only home few hours
in the evening. But it did seem SO ter.
rible at first"
In the morning the terror of it all re.