Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-01-24
A MATRIMONIAL
MISHAP
By r. NoRr1AN SILVER.
Author Of Wonders Of the Deep"
(Copyright. BY Joseph B. Bowles,)

Dear sir: Having seen ana liked
O copy of your paper. The Golden Cir
clet, venture to trespass q little
upon your attention. am young,
only 23-"
Thaddeus Field smiled when he
came to the statement Just quoted.
He had never in the whole course OF
his experience as a matrimonial agent
met a would-be bride who owned to
more than 80 summers. Hardly had
the smile dawned upon his lips than
1t vanished; the letter had become in
teresting.
And have inherited some money
from an aunt, with whom ! had lived
since childhood, and who has just
died. Thanks to her, have been
fairly well-educated, and l believe l
am naturally neither stupid nor awk-
ward. Yet am now altogether alone,
and am very, very unhappy. II you
could see me, you would know why;
am Just the ugliest woman In the
world. Yet l think II some one
could know me as am. he would love
me. Can you help me? ! enclose
$25. am sure 1t would never be
worth your while to attend to my
case at your ordinary rates. am SO
very, very ugly. Believe me to be,
yours very truly, Stella Garner"
A few days after Thaddeus Fields
receipt Of Stella Gamers" letter ne
received an important visit The
tall footman opened the double doors,
and bowed in a handsome man OF
middle age-a man with blue eyes,
crisp, iron-gray hair and beard, and
dazzling white teeth. Thaddeus Field
was impressed, and rose graciously
as Pierre, the footman, retired.
The newcomer held out his hand.
"Mr. Thaddeus Field?" he said.
II am Mr.. Thaddeus Field" an
swered that gentleman, assuming his
official dignity.
His visitor bowed.
81 am Stephen Osborne" he ex-
planned. stephen Montgomery o.
borne, at your service"
"Pray be seated" said Thaddeus,
offering chair.
Mr.. Osborne sat down, and crossed
bis legs.
"In what way" demanded Thad-
deus, "can l have the pleasure OF
serving your"
Stephen Osborne laughed out
heartily.
II want wife," he answered.
"That should not be difficult to find
for you," replied Thaddeus, with
gentle flattery.
ut may not prove as easy as you
expect" said the other; "Tll wager
ten dollars you don't keep the kind
Of a wife l want in stock. Perhaps
you can get her to order"
"What kind of wife do you want,
Mr.. Osborne? he asked, blandly.
stephen Osborne seemed embarras-
sed.
"To be quite honest, Mr.-Mr.
Field" he replied, ut isn't SO much
the kind of wife want, as the kind
of wife I've got to have"
Indeed" said Thaddeus, puzzled.
Eyes" said his client, irritably; Il
haven't great deal of time. You see,
when / was bit younger I was fool
enough to tell my papa, who had mar
ried again-I was the only child OF
the first marriage-that l would never
marry If l couldn't get some one
little better looking than my new
step-ma. So we quarreled and parted,
and when the old boy died last win
ter-there were no more children, and
step-ma died some years ago-he left
me his money on condition that l
married a girl uglier than step-ma,
and gave me IL months to make up
my mind, didn't expect ever to need
the money, and so took it easy, but
some of my speculations have done
deucedly bad, and must have some
cash before long or go bust. That's
why I'm here"
Thaddeus Fields eyes shone-lt
was Just the kind of case he liked.
'If you will call tomorrow about
this time, Mr.. Osborne" he said, Il
think l shall have something to say.
Good-day."
With this comforting assurance he
rang the bell, and Mr.. Osborne de-
parted.
That afternoon Mrs, Christina
Field left for Boston. Her instruc-
tons were not to return without Miss
STELLA Garner"
On the succeeding morning Chris
tian, accompanied by a closely-veiled
lady, entered the anteroom. Chris
tina left her charge and went into her
husbands sanctum. Thaddeus was
standing on the hearth-rug, chewing
his mustaches with impotence.
"Will she do?" he asked.
Christian grinned.
"As ugly as SIM" she said; "but
smart"
That's all right" concluded Thad.
deus; bring her in"
Christina opened the door and
called. The yelled lady rose and en-
tered.
Miss Garner, l understand" said
Thaddeus, rapidly; pleased to meet