The Prescott daily news., 1907-12-02
A FREAK OF
 CUPID'S
By ANNA LEHMAN
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Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Col


 managed her father into business and her mother into society Her husband was unable to cope with her, and be- ing clever man, succumbed at sight. The fact that she had succeeded in arranging" brilliant marriages for her three elder daughters, who had no beauty, brains or money to speak of, epitomized the social triumphs of the lady's career.
 But Mrs. De Clymer met a totally unexpected Waterloo with her young est daughter-unexpected. inasmuch as Millicent, while not exactly pretty, perhaps, was certainly handsome and distinguished looking. Great things were expected of Millicent. Her moth CT actually allowed herself to contem- plate title; but alas for the vanity of human hopes and ambitions! What had promised to prove a brilliant en- gagement turned out disastrous de- feat. Society readily conceded Milli- cents charms and air of distinction. There was not wanting young men who promptly proceeded to admire and dangle. But here Mrs. De Cly- mer's ideas and her daughters began to clash. The men whom Millicent preferred-there was, perhaps, no par ticular one-failed for one reason or another, to meet her mothers require ments; while the eligibles she hunted down were not in the least to her daughters liking. That young lady had the eccentric, strong minded, not to-be-coerced temperament which can not accommodate itself to circumstan- ces. and refuses to fit into convention al niches.
 At 24, Mrs. De Clymer began to re- gard her handsomest daughter as a difficult proposition; at 27 as a serious problem. and when she neared 30 her much-enduring mother practically abandoned hope.
 I really cannot understand" she la mented to her eldest daughter. q thought my troubles were over when you and Georgia and Nellie were mar ried and settled l congratulated my self that as l had really attractive, bright child to launch in society, it would be pleasure instead of task But my troubles were only beginning l have had an intolerable time with Milicent, and-the result. And she entertainS such shocking ideas about society; declares it sham--a card playing. dancing, eating, gossiping, inane sham. These are her very words
 When girl begins to have ideas" said Laura consolingly, you may as well give up"
 But Mrs. De Clymer did not give up; and the course of four years more was strewed with her ruined hopes.
 Poor Millicent was in no sense a man-hater. She simply did not hap pen to fancy any of the men her mother so obligingly selected for her. She learned that the world regarded spinster-hoOd as species of dis grace, to be avoided at any sacrifice of personal inclination. She was made to feel that she was a burden to the family. Even her fathers tone in ref erence to herself became apologetic: : that of her sisters and friends sar- castle or patronizing.
 She made gallant effort to go out in the world and earn her own SUD- port; but her mother made such a ter rife scene at the mere suggestion of De Clymer earning her own living, and thereby bringing disgrace on the rest of the family, that the effort had to be abandoned.
 Millicent was now relegated to the rear ranks, there to serve as a back. ground for her attractive young nieces, whom her mother now under took to launch on the uncertain matri. monial sea.
 The eldest granddaughter was suc- cessfully married off during her first season. The second girl, Dulcie. oc- casioned her chaperone considerable trouble. For one thing, she openly and fagrantly encouraged the ad. dresses of handsome but impecuni- ous young medical student. Her grandmamma exerted her authority: her Aunt Millicent was held up to the young girl as an awful warning, but without effect.
 To do Millicent justice it must be stated that she seconded her moth CTS efforts to the best of her ability. So when her mother proposed that they should spend the summer at Buena Vista she readily acquiescsd, although she detested summer re. sorts with detestation born of much humiliating experience.
 An old maid of 36 is as much ont of nlaca at q suurnor rasa..