The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1903-10-30
the kettle, but a severe frown from
Marion caused it to vanish.

| JHc hcltlC, buJ lIOWu Hum
Marion caused it TO vanish.
A few hours later, Joan. and Marion
who was lowering near, heard Mr.
Spencer attempt TO console the discon-
| solate spinster. Come. come" he said,
| you'll worry Yourself sick. Don't be
! afraid she's made way with herself.
| She and young Graves are married by
this time"
1T would be scanda!ous of her to
serve you that way" murmured she.
Il don't see how she could do IT.
Mr.. Spencer cleared his throat. Miss
Amanda" ne said, I've been doing
some serious thinking the last day
| What does man my age want with a
| silly young chit for wife? Why
wouldn't sensible woman your age be
| more Of q companion for me-" .
| Miss Amanda sighed.
1--WE just been thinking" he con-
| tinued persausively, what a suitable
| match you and | would make | own
a good house, and six hundred acres OF
| the best land in tne state. | don't owe
a dollar, and I'd be a good husband to
you"
Again Miss Amanda sighed gently.
And you're we'll fixed, too" went on
Mr. Spencer There must be a hun
dred and sixty acres here"
"a hundred and sixty-two," said
Miss Amanda, softly. You forget the
hill lot"
That's so," said Mr. Spencer "Well,
I've just been thinking what a joke
it would be on those youngsters for us
to De married tomorrow. We'd have
the laugh on them then, wouldn't WEI"
I'm afraid it wouldn't look well.
seeing that we don't know where Joan
| is hesitated she.
"Oh, she's all right" Mr.. Spencer
assured her airily. You may derend
upon it. She's Mrs. Graves by this
time. If you'll just say the word.
Amanda, I'll have the parson and the
license here by 9 o'clock in the morn
ing Just say the word, Amanda"
Miss Amanda reflected hurriedly.
Here was a piece Of unprecedented
good fortune. Her first and probably
her last matrimonial offer. A golden
opportunity not to b missed, and Miss
| Amanda, like the wise virgin she was
said the word"
The next morning found the weary
Joan still in hiding, when Mr.. Spencer
arrived with the preacher. She had
begged. Marion to allow her to pre-
! sent herself, but that young lady was
| firm.
You don't stir out of the kettle till
they are safely married." she said.
DO you think Aunt might change
her mind?" faltered the captive.
We'll, Mr. Spencer might" was the
reply.
Just as the ceremony was about to
be performed, Marion, pale as death.
vet smiling triunphantly, entered the
room. Suppose we nave a double
wedding" she said, and then Neil
Graves appeared in the doorway.
At the sight of him, unaccomparied
nv Joan, Miss Amanda wept aloud.
'The poor dear is in the pond" she
walled.
"Where is Joan?" cried Neil sternly,
and Joan, from the kettle, piped weak
ly here | am"
"You wicked, disobedient girl!''
cried Miss Amanda. "You deserve tc
be slapped
That afternoon as they watched Neil
and Joan depart for their western
home. Mrs Jay Spencer turned to Ma
rion and said: "Well, the Young fools
aro married at last, and it's all your
work"
Marion smiled wearily. Eyes" she
said "all my work.
Mrs. Jay Spencer eyed her sharply,
then suddenly the keen eyes OWNED
something of the truth. With unusual
tenderness she stopped and kissed Ma
rion's pale cheek.
"You shall have the school jEst the
same" she declared.
But Marion was straining her eyes
for one last glimpse of the lovers, and
| thew needed her not