Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-02-01

~se~SeH~e~Neo
ED RUSTING that this will not
shock You too greatly. remain
your loving son. Got that?" he
asked.
Miss Murphy nodded.
well, I'll sign 1t now" lie said, as
he tilted back the typewriter carriage
and penciled his initials upon the
sheet. II must get the rest of this
stun up to the postof1ce to catch the
New York mall sure. Then when l
come back we'll go out on the lake."
You forget" interrupted Miss Muir
ply, that have those letters to get
OF for that Chicago man."
That Chicago man is altogether too
communicative" growled Livingston.
II can't say that blame him. used
to write lots of letters didn't have to
when nrst came"
II know" said Miss Murphy, wick
edly. II felt like urging you to dictate
from some book when saw you cudg-
cling your brains for things to say In
your letters"
Then she went back to her work.
Livingston Spencer was by no
means as happy as he pretended to be.
1t was no pleasant task for chap to
compose letter telling his mother
that he is about to upset all her cher
ished plans, even when he has the
valuable assistance of the sweetest
little woman in the world.
When he had come to Glenvale in
the early summer, he had been won
derfully attracted to the public stem
ographer. He had written scores of
unnecessary letters that he might have
chance to study her, and in the end
he asked her to be his wife. and she
had said 'yes" very prettlly and
sweetly.
Then he had begun to think what
his mother and sisters would say. 1t
would make no difference so far as
the engagement was concerned, but
they would make 1t very unpleasant
for Edna, and he was determined to
protect her feelings.
The letter to his mother was fol-
lowed by one to his elder sister Grace.
She had always stood by him, and he
knew just how to word the letter to
her. Grace was abroad with her moth
er, and he needed her moral backing
and persuasive powers at this critical
moment.
For a week he lived on in his dream
Of happiness, and then came DR.. Prem
tiss, their family physician, who was
clearly Ill at ease. but alert and watch.
full.
For several days the doctor inter
fered with Spencers plans, insisting
upon going everywhere with him and
watching him narrowly. until finally
Livingston, irritated beyond passive
ness, broke all bounds.
"See here. DOCTOR lie said stoutly.
II want to know what this all means?
You follow me about as though were
under your care, and sometimes you
treat me almost like a child. WHATS
the matter?"
ITS nothing, Livingston" protested
the physician stoutly. II needed lit.
tie rest, and came down here to get 1t
with you"
Nonsense" replied Livingston.
did my mother send you down here
to prevent my marriage?"
which one?" asked the doctor abb
sently.
(which one?" shrieked Spencer.
what in time do you mean?"
"why, the typewriter or the other"
'There isn't any other" protested
Spencer.
! "Oh. yes, there is," retorted Prentiss.
You see. my boy. you are suffering
from rare form of dementia. You
have belief that you are going to
marry both Miss Murphy and Miss
Carruthers.''
But don't even know Miss Car.
ruthers," insisted Livingston.
The physician drew from his pocket
cable form. Read that" he said
shortly. 1t ran:
please see Livingston, Glenvale. He
thinks he is going to marry Miss
Carruthers and typewriter. Must be
insane"
1t was signed with his mothers
name.
"see here. Doctor" lie said ms quietly
as he could. 81 am going to marry
Edna Murphy. just her! Nobody else!'
WELL" said the physician, II am
glad that you have come to your senses
at last
Livingston flung himself out Of the
room and went in search of Edna, to
whom he poured out all his trouble.
To his dismay, instead Of sympathiz-
ing with him, she laughed till the tears
ran down her cheeks.
ITS too funny" she painted, as her
laughter died down for a moment.
Then. catching sight of his expression
Of mingled surprise and injury, the
laughter started afresh.
Its too bad, dear" she said finally,
as she stopped laughing from sheer
exhaustion. ut was all my fault.
Edna Murphy was one OF the girls
met while taking business course.
Father insisted on my having profes.
sion or trade. and learned typewrlting
and shorthand.
when Edna was i'll. after having
secured this place, persuaded him
that 1t would be good practice and ex-
perience for me to take her name and
position. pay her the money get,
and I've been having lovely time.
when wrote to your mother did
not take your dictation literally. but
substituted my own name for the one
under which have passed all summer.
You wrote your sister Edna Murphy
and did not tell me. Can you blame
them for being upset?"
And to think" he said with twink
ling eyes. that I am engaged to lie
married to Edna Murphy when want
you. I've always said I'd never ma,-;y
for money and ii you're john Csrrutn-