The record-union., 1899-03-19
The new PLANCHETTE.

| There was no one toeanswer the bell
SO Mrs Cassidy went herself.
Why, Celia Bethune! I'm so blad:'
she cried, in greeting her visitor.
Yes, ! wanted to see you," the girl
returned fervently, as they kissed each
other. ! was out for a spin, and cane
| this way. . How do you like my
| new suit?''
| Il like it! It looks just lovely or
| you!"
isn't the skirt too short?"
mot a bit. You want it short
| But not too short" insisted the girl
| II was so afraid it would be too short!
Some look perfectly shocking
| Il 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 a blush in
creased it still more as Mrs. Cassidy
/ recalled those first words. Celia COW
cred her confusion with more talk III
regard 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-
tion Do you think I'm going to tell?
Nineteen Why?"
you'll be getting married BEFORE
long"
"Oh, 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.
"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
| A note tremulous of despair hovered
about her voice
Its 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 a touch of resentment.
Mrs Cassidy gave tone to a rich
laugh She was in love with the mo-
ment. Celia was mindful only of the
main question
You see, 1 would have to leave papa
and go and live with N-Mr. Ford. I've
| only known him a few months-a year
or two at most-and I've known papa
all my life.
Mrs. Cassidys laugh was very pro-
voking. Celia was vexed.
"Oh. you know what 1 mean. What
makes you behave so? 1 thought you
would help me-
"And SO 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! I knew you
would. I want to talk it all over with
YOU. You see, 1 don't want to make
any mistake"
And talk it over they did every day.
almost every hour, for week.
1T will be better for you not to see
Mr.. Ford until you can give him a del
mite answer" her friend had said, and
Celia acuuiesced in the wisdom of this.
ssOf course I can't choose for you; can
only help you to know your own mlnd.
How did you ever choose? Cela
asked, envious of her friends ability.
'sIt was easy. I just knew.
THAT'S it: you always know every
thing. and 1 never know anything
Later. when Mrs. Cassidy questioned
her Celia said I'm the morning I'm all
for papa. Then it seems just as clear
as can be what Isshlall do. But toward
evening. about the time Nor-Mr. Ford
usually comes''-the red poured into
Cela's cheeksEs.why, I'm all at sea
again"
But you don't really have to choose
between them. You just
..Oh. yes. 1 do." interrupted Celia very
positively. s'It can never be the same.
Tt will all be different. I should have
to give up papa. and shall most GER
tainly say No
This was in the morning.
In the afternoon Mrs. Cassidy and
Celia. went for spin through the parks
OIl tHtlI WuStlSs
"Oh. Mr.. Ford and I have had such
lovely rides ON a tandem that he has,!
Celia said rapturously. II wish / had
written him a note telling where | am
staying. I really don't think there
would be any harm in his coming, and
he might help me to decision. 1t
really 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,
could see him every day-almost as
much as 1 do now, for he's only home
few hours in the evening. But it did
seem so terrible at first.'
In the morning the terror of it all re-
turned, made worse by feeling that
decision must be reached that day, for
it was the last of her stay with her
friend. But when Mrs. Cassidy Joined
Celia her face was beaming With plan
which she had thought out
1--WE a way, Celia, for you to know
your own mind"
"Oh, what is it?"
Listen Tom says that every even
ing Mr.. Ford and your father walk
down Columbia avenue together on
their way from town. At Madison
street they separate; your father goes
west to take the Third-s,treet cars. Now
this is my plan; this afternoon ON your
way home you ride your wheel slowly
down the avenue just back OF the two