The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1903-10-30

for Joan. At any rate, when he came
home from college, prepared to leave
for the Middle West" where he was
to engage in business with an uncle,
he and Joan told Marion of their en-
gagement, and she, bravely hiding her
love and wounded pride, listened to
their plans for the future, with smil-
ing face.
At the time, Miss Amanda made no
objections to the engagement; for Neil
was quite promising young man, but
when six months later, Jay Spencer,
bald. uncomely gentleman of fifty, sued
for Joan's hand, Miss Amanda prompt
ly ordered her to accept him.
He was by far the wealthiest person
in the whole community, and virtually
controlled the postOffice, school, and
public offices by reason of his influence
over the people who were chiefly his
tenants. and stood much in awe of
him.
Miss Amanda at once began prepara-
tions for the wedding. She command
ed Joan to stop writing to that young
Graves" and not to chatter nonsense
about not wanting to marry Mr.. Spen-
cer'
Poor. timid Joan told no one of her
distaste for her elderly lover until
Marion. employed by Miss Amanda
to sew on the trousseau, taxed her with
unfaiihfulness. Then Joan told the
whole. miserable truth, and tearfully
appealed to Joan for aid.
her pillow, scheming desperately to
save Joan for the man she herself
loved.
Let the marriage go on" whis-
pered jealousy why do you inter-
fere? Neil used to love you best. Ii
Joan was only out of the way, who
knows what might happen"
Neil shall marry JOAN" cried Ma
rion's better self ''She IS more fit to
be his wife than l. He would always
be ashamed of my people. Oh, Neil!
Neil. l love you too well to be drag
upon you, dear"
All week Marion racked her brain
for some means of postponing the mar
riage until Neil's arrival, but all in
vain. The Graves family were away
for the summer, and the rest Of the
neighborhood rented their small farms
of either Miss Amanda, or Mr.. Spencer,
and would never dare brave the COM
bined wrath of the lover and aunt. by
aiding her in any way.
Joan was too cowardly to run away
and if she were to attempt to do so,
would surely be captured by her reso-
lutte aunt Matters looked very black
for Joan
Finally, two days before the one set
for the wedding Marion, gloomily
beating eggs in the kitchen, cast her
eyes upward III despairing meditation,
and her glance alighted on haven Of
refuge for Joan.
Suspended by a chain from the high
kitchen ceiling, hung Miss Amanda's
mammoth copper kettle, used only
once or twice each year for apple but
ter making and kindred pursuits, and
more than large enough to conceal
Joan. She could sit in it in compare
tive comfort.
That night she unfolded her plan
to Joan, whose enthusiasm was so
great that she proposed retiring into
tho kettle at once.
That would make four whole days
and nights that you'd be in it," rea-
soned Marion, "for Neil can't possibly
get here before the morning after the
day set for the wedding"
Early on the wedding morning Ma
rion reused Joan, who hastily dressed
and with the aid of the kitchen table,
settled herself in her hiding place.
Soon afterward, Miss Amanda arose,
and after dressing, entered the girls
room, where she found Marion appar-
emily in sound slumber, while Joan's
place beside her was empty.
Where is Joan?" she cried, giving
Marion a shake.
isn't she here?" inquired Marion,
sleepily.
After calling her a few times, and
making a short search over the prem
ises, Miss Amanda reused the hired
men, and sent them in pursuit Of the
truant bride.
In justice to Miss Amanda, l must
neighbor's buildings were secured and
ransacked with a thoroughness worthy
of Pinkerton, and her own premises
she searched not at all.
During the day Marion, at every op-
portunity dumped provisions into the
kettle till Joan implored her to stop.
The day was spent in fruitless search
and at nightfall, upon some one sug-
gesting that they drag the pond, the
stern Miss Amanda was melted to
tears.
eff | only had her her.. she should