The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-01-10
A MATRIMONIAL
MISHAP
(Copyrignt, by Joseph b. Bowles.)
BY r. NORMAN SILVER.
Author Of Wonders Of the Deep"

Lear SIT. HdVinB seen ana liked
q copy of your paper. The Golden Cir
clet, I venture to trespass little
upon your attention. am young.
only 90"
Thaddeus Field smiled when he
came to the statement just quoted.
He had never in the whole course of
his experience as matrimonial agent
met would-be bride who owned to
more than 30 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-cducated. and / believe |
am naturally neither stupid nor awk-
ward. Yet / am now altogether alone.
and am very. very unhappy. If you
could see me. you would know why;
/ am Just the ugliest woman in the
world Yet think IL some one
could know me as | am, he would love
r'o. Can you help me? enclose
s25. / am sure II would never be
worth your while to attend to my
case at your ordinary rates. I 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 he
received an important visit. The
tall footmap opanad tba douhIa doora
and bowed in 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.
Il am Stephen Osborne" he ex-
planned. stephen Montgomery Os-
borne. at your service"
Pray be seated" said Thaddeus,
offering a chair.
Mr.. Osborne sat down, and crossed
his legs.
In what way" demanded Thad-
deus. can ] have the pleasure Of
serving your"
Stephen Osborne laughed out
heartily.
Il want wife," he answered.
hat oh 4. IN
for you," replied Thaddeus, with
gentle fattery.
1t may not prove as easy as you
expect" said the other; "Fll wager
ten dollars you don't keep the kind
Of a wife / want in stock. Perhaps
you can get her to order"
What kind of a wife do you want,
Mr.. Osborne?' he asked, blandly.
Stephen Osborne seemed embarras.
sed.
ITO be quite honest, Mr.-Mr.
Field" he replied, ut isn't so much
he kind of wife want, as the kind
II wife I've got to have"
Indeed" said Thaddeus, puzzled.
YES" said his client, irritably; I
haven't a great deal of time. You see,
when / was a bit younger ! was fool
enough to tell my papa, who had mar
led again-I was the only child of
he first marriage-that would never
marry II / couldn't get some one
title better looking than my new
tep-ma So we quarreled and parted,
md when the old boy died last win
er-there were no more children, and
itep.ma died some years ago-he left
ne his money on condition that
married. a girl uglier than step-ma,
Ind gave me ~ months to make up
ny mind, didn't expect ever to need
he money, and so took 1t easy, but
'ome Of my speculations have done
bad. and | must have some
ash before long or go bust. That's
Why I'm here"
Thaddeus Fields eyes shone-it
was just the kind of case he liked.
IF you will call tomorrow about
his time, Mr.. Osborne" he said, 'T
.hink / shall have something to say.
With this comforting assurance he
rang the bell, and Mr. Osborne de-
parted.
That afternoon Mrs. Christina
Field left for Boston. Her instruc-
lions were not to return without Miss
Stella Garner"
On the succeeding morning Chris
lian, 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 impatience.
''Will she do?" he asked.
Christian grinned.
"As ugly as sin." she said; "but
That's all right" concluded Thad.
deus; bring her in"
Christina opened the door and
called. The veiled lady rose and en-.