The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1900-07-20

known as "the catch" of Oakdale.
In the first place, he was very hand
some; then he was very wealthy; and,
finally, he was lrreproachably connect
ed, and as the most wary young lady
Of Oakdale said there was nothing
disagreeable about him." No; the men |
said that Squire Harding was first
rate man." and the women voted that |
he was nice" Yet, when pretty Gladys |
Ray became engaged to marry him, she |
nearly cried her eyes out
This is the way it was: When the |
squire had come and built the hand
soonest house in town, what ''iutter-
ing there was among the dove-cotes.'
Blondes and brunettes successfully set
their caps for him, but In vain. The
squire confessed to certain old ladies
that he had hoped to be able to fill his
dear Matllda's place. but, beyond a
few civil attentions, no young lady of
Oakdale could boast Of him as con-
quest.
This fact showed the man little dull
and unappreciative, for nowhere in the
country is a prettier, more intelligent
and domestic set Of girls than in the
nice agricultural village of Oakdale.
But the squire had his idlosyncracy-
his hobby. 1t was that of health.
He had uttered a vow never to marry
a woman who was not perfectly
healthy. On this point he was I'M
changeable. Let scarlets and puppies
haunt, let ringlets wave and smiles
brighten, the squire turned neither to
the left nor right. His standard of the
ideal female physique seemed never to
be apr )ached.
Most people thought Oakdale girls
buxom and blooming enough, but the
squire's observant eyes saw eryslpelas
in burning cheeks, consumption in mar
row shoulders, dropsy in the plump
forms. 1t was only when he beheld
GLADYS Ray that this eXacting man
was satisfied and enthusiastic.
She had Just come from years stay
with her grandparents in New York.
and was barely sixteen. Pretty-well'
that Is no word for it. She was just as
lovely as a new-blown rose. And she
was as good as she was pretty ana as
loving as she was good; and every one
would have seen it was out of the
question for her to marry Squire Hard
ing. a worldly man Of forty with a
shrewd eye for the main chance.
She was Just as unselfsh as sun
beam. as impulsiye as a kitten as
guileless as a violet, and cared nothins
for the position Squire Harding couiu
offer his wife. She never knew what to
saw to him when he came to Clemaus
Cottage. as her home was called-was
afraid Of his bass voice, and shy OF MS
fscetiousness; and yet he came ano
came. and her father encouraged n's
suit. and Gladys was told she mus
agree to marry him.
Must, because business was uuli ano
there was mortgage on ClematlS Oo'
ta0e and there was no sense in CIR
refusing such a chance. Of course sh'
would never have another like It IN
lifetime.
rims her father talked common sense
20 bor and GLADYS protested with he
uncommon sense, and said she uiu 10
want 70 be rich, and the squire's none!
would not make her bit happier an'
thot II would be a dreadful thing u
make her miserable all the rest Oh lie
life
She had no mother, but her brother
nrotested. telling her that she was
goose. and at last the poor girl wa
borassed into making half promls
that 'perhaps, some time sue "Ou 49,,
Rnt her father at once set III lno'iOi
at,ons for the wedding and sen
for Aunt Phoebe.
Aunt Phoebe was an uuoViu.''g 80
skulful needlewoman. but "n"' We
more in Gladys case she was pe'So
with a heart. .r,,,mest
bordestand bitterest Of experiences nc
trials had not hardened her as" nnd th
priefs and sorrows Of youtn anu -
moment she saw the face OF ner nle,
she knew that something was 49,
ana Che determined to find out WHAT
was. ,,+o Gladly,
one and found the girl hastii
putting away letter-a letter , 60 pos hos
marked New York, and dlreo, ct ,
self in the boldest and handsonigs.
cbirography. Having put the 49, :
rnder lock and key, Gladys turueu -, /
lently to be measured for "s"
broidered waist. -, Aunt Pho
Are you tired, GladysY Aunt ~
be asked. Ill
"A little" replied the girl .,+qp
~nidn't you rest well las. nlsn''
Not very" ,.or dead 81
GLADYS, you are my gear ai,. Won Won. .
,n1t n,nn me- what aus Wv