The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-02-14
GERTRUDE,s UNDOING

passed even the stage of the full blown
rose and was referred to by one man whom
she had refused to marry and who was
consequently prejudiced as the wreath of
immorteles.
1t must not be concluded, however, that
she was at all antique. No girl in her
set was more youthful in her tastes and
actions. She was ready and able to out
dance the youngest of them and no project
was too daring to enlist her support. Her
enthusiasm was always young and delight
fully contagious. She was "the life of
every party and the inspiration of every
madcap romp. With extremely young men
she was especially popular and her dearest
feminine friends long ago gave her the
pleasant nickname of 'The Youths Com
panion."
The men called her wonder. The
women were not quite so charitable.
Some of the younger set declared that she
had come out with their mothers-but that
was probably pure envy.
Last summer young Elliot got out of col
lege and came back home to live. He had
played center rush on his varsity team,
stood six feet two inches without tiptoeing,
weighed an even 200, looked like Morse
viking, and was kept busy looking after his
income. Perhaps he was ten years younger
than Miss Gertrude Howlinson, but that
made no difference to the Youths Com
panion. All her training had been in the
direction of extremely youthful men. Her
dearest friends often said that if ''dear
Gertrude should ever be so unfortunate as
to lose her money her experience would
eminently fit her for service as nursery
governess.
1t would take a long book written by
psychological novelist to set forth the
means by which the Youths Companion
wrapped herself around the affections of
young Elliot. He was a remarkably sturdy
oak and she made herself clinging vine.
He was an athlete and she was wise
enough to know that athletic men do not
like girls who rival them in displays of
muscle. She was likely to be trife bois-
ferrous, and she made of herself shy and
retiring wood violet. The Youths Com
panion knew all about the value of strong
contrasts and was fully aware that oppo-
sites attract each other most strongly.
All the other girls told Elliot they per
fectly adored the smell of his bulldog pipe,
The Youths Companion told him she
couldn't abide it. 1t was so refreshing to
find one girl who was candid enough to
tell the truth.
He was tired to death with being asked
about his feats of strength and his proves
on the football field The Youths Com
him. She talked to him about books, and
write something for the Integer Maya
zine. That opened new horizon for Mr..
Elliot and put a spur to his modest am
bition. Incidentally the Youths Compan-
ion was well acquainted with one of the
young editors of the Integer, and when
the football giant finished his article and
sent it to the Integer she saw that it was
promptly accepted.
Elliot began by thinking she was $50 DIFF
ferent" from the other girls. She was so
interesting. Then she became attractive,
and before the summer was over he had
been persuaded that he couldn't get along
without her.
OF course the Youths Companion did
not win her triumph without opposition.
The other girls tried hard to poison the
mind of young Elliot. But the Youths
Companion spiked all their guns.
"Jack," she said one day, "did you ever
think that I am old enough to be your
grandmother"
Nonsense" said young Elliot.
co. but Jack, I'm very very Old
GA woman is just as old as she looks.
You look 49,
'fJack, you're foolish boy"
But it was enough to make young Elliot,
when he overheard some of Miss Howlin-
sons feminine friends talking incidental
ly, of course-about her coming out IN the
late 80's-t was enough to make him
smile scornfully to himself and determine
on the instant that he would propose to
Gertrude Howlnson that night. That
should be his answer to such calumnies
He went up to the Howlinson mansion
that evening fully determined that he
would bring matters to climax The
white-capped maid let him in and said
that Miss Howlinson would be down in q
minute Perhaps Miss Gertrude had a
womanly premonition of what was com
ing. At any rate something delayed her
lin completing her toilet and that delay
proved her undoing.
''sJack" Elliot sat before blazing grate
fire in the dimly lit drawing -room wrapt
in a mist of delightful dreams Present
4y he heard the doorbell ring again. He
sat where he could look out into the hail
and he could not help overhearing every
word that was said
Il want to see Miss Gertrude HowlIn-
son" sounded mans shrill voice.
Miss Howlinson is engaged" said the
maid.
4'But must see her personally" the
man went on.
''Tm sure you can't see her at present.
said the maid. "ls it anything l can at
tend tor
s'Well,'' said the man, @I simply must see
her for moment. If you'll tell her that
the young man from the dentists Office is
here l think she'll see me"
"Call tomorrow morning" persisted the
maid.
81 must see her now. It's important"
Then he added, in shrill whisper which
struck upon the ears of young Elliot like
the stroke of doom, 'you see, I've got Miss
Howlinson's false teeth with me- The doc
tor promised to send them by five o'clock
and | wanted to explain the cause Of the
delay"
The horror-stricken maid suddenly shut
the door, and young Elliot fancied ne
heard a stifed groan, followed by an ex-
tremely emphatic ejaculation, coming from
l.. r 4