The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-05-11
The New PlanChette
THERE was no one to answer the
bell, so Mrs. Cassidy went herself.


she cried, in greeting her visitor.
Eyes, wanted to see you," the girl
returned fervently, as they kissed each
other 81 was out for spin and came
this way. How do you like
my new SUITE"
Il like it. 1t looks just lovely on you"
|'Isn't the skirt too short?"
mot 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"
81 know. But yours isn't a bit too
short. Come in this way, where we can
sit down.
"Oh, but mustn't stay"
81 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 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?"
"You'll be getting married before
long"
ooh, my goodness! I'm never going
to marry. But I've had a proposal"
blushing 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.
ooh, dear, no! And what's more, I'm
not going to say: Yes Oh, 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 l came for"
A note of tremulous despair lowered
about her voice.
Its easy. You must knew 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 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 MIR. Ford. I've
only known him few months-a year
or two at most-and I've known papa
all my life"
Mrs. Cassidy's laugh was very pro-
volSing. Celia was vexed.
"Oh, you know what l mean. What
masses you behave so? Ith5,aght you
would help me-
And so l will. You must stay with
me 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. ITS so kind
of you to help me. l knew you would.
want 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 a
definite answer" her friend had said,
and Celia acquiesced in the wisdom of
this. "Of course, l can't choose for
you. I can only help you to know your
own mind"
'How did you ever choose?" Celia
asked, envious of her friends ability.
at was easy. just knew"
THAT'S it; you always know every
thing and never know anything"
Later, when Mrs. Cassidy questioned
her, Celia said: in the morning I'm all
for papa. Then it seems just as clear as
can be what [ shall do. But toward
evening about the time Nor-Mr. Ford
usually comes"-the red poured into
Cela's cheeks-"why, I'm all at sea
again"
But you don't really have to choose
between them. You just"
ooh, yes, 1 dol" interrupted Celia,
very positively. at can never be the
same. 1t will all be different. 1 should
have to give up papa, and I shall most
certainly say: Mo-"
This was in the morning.
In the afternoon Mrs. Cassidy and
Celia went for spin through the parks
on their wheels.
ooh, Mr.. Ford and have had such
lovely rides on tandem that he has!"
Celia said, rapturously. 81 wish I had
written him note telling where am
staying. 1 really don't think there
would be any harm in his coming, and
he might help me to decision. 1t real
ly seems as if it would be heartless to
say: No. for he says he thinks every
thing of me. You just ought to hear
him once! And, as you say, haven't
really got to give papa up. He might
come and live with us. Anyway, 1 could
see him every day-almost as much as
do 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 ala re-
turned, made worse by feeling that a
decision must be reached that day, for
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