The Morris County chronicle., 1903-04-17
A FAMILY WOOING

copyright, 1902, by t. c. McClure.J
ALacdune passed over his coffee cup
for the second time and helped himself
to third biscuit from the enveloping
folds of the napkin on the taboret
The gas log was purring cozily. Aro-
ma of the rich Java berry permeated
the room The soft light threw shad-
ows, the kind in which Cupids love to
nest.
The room itself was one of those
dream places calculated to WOO bach
elor away from his sordid self silky
curtains, delicately tinted walls, books
that looked as if they had rare tales to
tell and chairs that invited with arms
outstretched.
Macdune inhaled the fragrant atmos-
phere of content and was happy. With
out intending to make an inventory he
permitted his eyes to wander from one
thing'to another. His glance eventual
ly gravitated to the girl. All, here was
the piece de resistance! What other
could have worn so pretty gown or
worn pretty gown so we'll? Who but
a genius feminine could have arranged
every fold and flounce just where it
would most favorably set off the charm
ing figure?
Miss Wright was looking at him,
and the victory, almost complete, was
won by her eyes, like masked batteries
behind the dropping lashes He asked
a hesitating question that brought Il
reasonably prompt reply. The coffee
urn and the gas log blinked knowingly
at one another.
-Four months from the day that Mae
Wright home for bit of conversation
and a sip of coffee he was riding west
ward with her on Pullman, looking
happy indeed.
Mrs. Macdune beamed over the din
ing car table at him. She poured the
coffee and plunged sugar loaf into
its amber bath with merry little
smile and an air of domestic proprie.
torsllip.
Claire" he said, do you know that
little luncheon over the gas log that
October afternoon was one of the
things that convinced me you were the
signpost pointing me along life's high
way? The coffee and the flaky biscuit,
you know | thought any girl who
could set little repast like that was
worth princes ransom"
The bride thoughtfully snapped a
few bits Of rice from her travelling hat.
Here was strong temptation to be
met and conquered and she only three
hours wifel
Jack" she said at last, my sister
Edith made that luncheon. am so
sorry. | know no more about cooking
than | do about Arizona politics."
Jack laughed reassuringly.
Il was going on to say that the cook
ing was a comparatively small matter.
You see, the pretty little den was ar
ranged with such exquisite taste.
knew girl who could hang those pie
lures in just those places would make
any man on earth wife worth hay,
ing"
She looked out of the window. A
haze obscured the fash of forest and
meadow. and when she turned to him
again her lip was trembling. But hon
esty won again.
"Oh. Jack, | am awfully sorry! My
sister Flo arranged that room while
was in Buffalo last spring. They all
say my taste is despicable when it
comes to arranging things"
Macdune seized her hand
Forget what | said. 1t was only
foolshness. You know. Claire, that
lie real motive was YOURSELF your
Gowns too. Why, Claire, you are the
anvy of all the girls in town. How
could plain old peasant like me fail
TO fall head over heels in love with
you?"
"Iack, don't; oh, don't!p she pleaded.
"Ch, Jack, my sister Ethel makes all
my gowns and plans them too"
Having INDUCED in the brutal care
ttSsHt'-S VI beillS SptNihN, MbNuuhN
would have protested that he loved her
for herself her personality, her sweet
sympathy, her smile, her voice, but he
feared she would arise and say, ALAS
they, 100, are all borrowedy Here h
was, poor man, welded to a girl VIII
could neither cook nor sew.
1T seems, Jack" she said after q
painful silence, that you have married
my sisters by mistake" She made a
pathetic attempt to smile.
The tear in her voice melted him com
pletely
"Clairew be exclaimed.
Il feel like a prisoner at the bar
she hurried on. "'rhe charge is obtain
ing a husband under false pretenses.
must assure the judge and jury that
The only thing | can do is to say | an
penitent and promise to make restitu
tion. | shall learn to cook better thar
Sister Edith, sew better than Sister
Ethel and hang pictures better thar
Sister Flo'
Jack brought his judicial fist dowI
on the table.
THE prisoner is discharged he said
1t was only the other day that Claire
won first prize at Il housekeepers' exhi
bition. FREDERIC A. SMITH.