Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-08-01
Mrs. Townsend's Ruse
[Original.1

cestors had been rich for many years,
and now suddenly the decision of
lawsuit against them had made them
poor. But Anita was especially averse
to angling for rich husband. Not so
her mamma. Mrs. Townsend was an
angler in deep water-that Is, her hook
was not visible from the surface. She
determined to supply her daughters
/ deficiency.
| Arthur Beaverton was the catch of
the season. He came Of good stock and
had an income of $4,000 year. Mrs.
Townsend concluded to concentrate
her diplomatic skill on this one victim.
Beaverton had shown some preference
for her daughter, but 1t was generally
that he was quite satisfied with the
freedom Of single life and had no idea
of exchanging it for the restraints of
matrimony. A gentle pressure was
necessary to force him to take the
hook.
| At the Flemings' dinner party, with
cOtillon later In the evening, both
|
were present The party being young
peoples affair, Mrs. Townsend was not
at first invited; but. not wishing to let
slip any opportunity to further her
| daughters interest, she declined the
Invitation for Anita on the ground that
| she always chaperoned her. This
brought an invitation for the mother.
1 he toh
sat on Mr.. Brewertons right, his din
ner companion being on his left. Anita
sat directly opposite. During the din
ner Mrs. Townsend catching glimpse
Of mans shoe under the table beside
Brewerton's shoeless right foot was
struck with Its small size. Indeed
since the toe had got turned toward its
owner at first glance she thought 1t
might be her daughters, but instantly
she remembered that Anita wore kid
slippers.
J Now, Anita Townsend had a weak
toe joint on her right foot. Her mother
borrowed pencil from Mr.. Beaverton
and a bit torn from letter, wrote on
1t, Better relieve the joint, DEAR" and
handed it across the table to her daugh-
ter. Anita wrote on the other side Of
! the paper, II have" and handed 1t
back. After this Mrs. Townsend leaned
far back in her chair, SO that her legs
projected far under the table.
The dinner finished, the ladies arose
and departed. Then when the men had
finished brief smoke they also left
the table for the ballroom, where the
musicians were already tuning their
instruments. Arthur Beaverton slipped
his foot into his shoe and rose with the
rest. At the dining room door he en-
countered Mrs. Townsend, who told
him that her daughter wished to see
him a moment In the red room to ar
range a social matter the two had In
hand. Beaverton stepped into the room,
which was close at hand, Joined the
young lady and stood talking with her
for some time, then the two entered
the ballroom just as the dancing had
commenced. There they separated, both
having partners for the cotillon.
Mr.. Beaverton found his partner at
the door waiting for him and, clasping
her waist, sailed around In the waltz.
1t was not long before he found that he
was attracting the attention Of the
whole room. Disengaging himself from
his partner, he surveyed himself from
head to foot. 1t was at the foot that he
discovered the cause Of the interest he
excited. On his right foot was a pink
! kid slipper
That there was a scandal imminent
was apparent to ALL There were sew
eral dresses among the ladies present
of a shade to match the slipper, one Of
them being worn by Miss Townsend. A
number of eyes were turned upon her,
and she was discovered sitting with her
feet drawn under her skirts. Then her
mother hurried to her and escorted her
from the room. This was sufficient.
Mr.. Beaverton and Miss Townsend had
been away from the others for some
time after dinner and for cause or
causes unknown had got mixed as to
their shoes.
The Townsends' carriage was called,
and mother and daughter left for home
without again appearing in the ball
room. Mr.. Beaverton, not being able
to endure the battery of eyes leveled
upon him, begged his partner to excuse
him and, ordering his carriage, also
left the house. He drove to the Town
sends, where he found the mother pac-
ing the drawing room floor excitedly
and the daughter in tears.
How could 1t have happened?" he
said.
my daughters future Is blighted,"
cried Mrs. Townsend, with wall.
why sol" asked the young man.
who still wore the pink kid slipper
why 80? Were you two not togeth-
err In the red room for half an hour be-
fore the dancing? And did not every
body know it?"
"WellY
"Wsll? My dear Mr.. Beaverton. what
were you two doing to change shoesT"
"Mammaw exclaimed Anita reproach-
fully.
"You don't think began the aston
ished young man when he was inter-
rupted by the mother.
Think? II think, who have perfect
confidence In my daughter. what do
you suppose all the others know to