Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-10-30


hold. He was only two years older
than Mandy, and he said pa and ma
just as she did, and considered him.
self lucky that he escaped parental
disputation.
bout time Mandy was thinkin' Of
gettin' married, amt it?" said Nathan.
one evening.
Married. That child!' replied the
wife. Are you In such great hurry
to get rid of herr"
rid of her? Lor' no. I'll keep
her right here all her life
AN let her be lonely, spiteful old
maid! Nice future for a pretty young
girl"
Nathan smiled covertly.
MANDY is pretty" he said. "An'
/ guess others see it. mother. C'rell
Newman can't keep his eyes off her at
meetin'."
"C'rell Newman" repeated Mrs. AL
ger CONTEMPORARY. HE needn't
make eyes at my daughter"
Whats the matter with him?"
Il don't like his family"
They're rich," said Nathan, who
was inclined to place high estimate
upon an extensive tract of fertile
land.
HIN. 1 don't like the Newmans,
an C'rells wild"
Mrs. Phebe had her plans for Mandy,
then. She had not been visiting the
Manasquan store for nothing, when
she could buy goods cheaper in AS
bury Park. She knew why she al
ways took Mandy with her, and why
deep delight possessed her soul
when the proprietor's son, a pale,
slender, light-haired young man, who
sat at the desk, peered out between
the wires that surrounded him and
forgot to attend to his accounts until
after mother and daughter had left the
store.
Arthur Gleason was dignified and in
tellectual. and his natty attire and
debonair air had made deep impress
sion upon Manasquan bellies.
Corell was really very fond OF the
slender, golden-haired girl, and the
Newmans had always been known to
be very sot in their ways"
Young Gleason from New York was
captive to 'Mandy's fresh charms
also, and despite his languid effemin-
acy. he was not without a will of his
own. He had been a spoiled child at
home and used to having his way in
all matters. Now he was determined
that no Jersey farmer should triumph
over him.
Frank came out of the barn one day.
He saw a blue skirt whisking into
the summer kitchen, which was used
only for storage purposes then. Walk
ing up to the little square window, he
peered in. To his surprise he saw
Mandy sitting in the little rush-bot-
toned chair near the table, with her
face buried in her apron. In an In
slant he was beside her.
Whats the matter, sis?" he asked,
gently.
Mandy raised her tear-stained face
"Oh, Frank, I'm so wretched," she
said.
PA and ma at 1t again?"
ITS nothing new" replied the girl
hopelessly. You see what they're
trying to do. They think l haven't
got any feelings"
Which one do you like best?" asked
Frank, as he had done once before.
II don't know, don't know!"
walled Mandy. They're both nide,
and they both want to marry me; but
IL ] marry one, pa II disown me, and
IL / marry the other. ma II never
speak to me again. oh, I wish was
dead!"
She covered her face with her apron
again.
There, sis, don't worry" said
Frank, stroking her ripping hair and
trying to comfort her, just as he used
to do in the. old school days. Il wish
I could help you. Come. let's talk 1t
over"
The next day. during 'Mandy's tenn
porary absence from home. her af-
fairs approached a crisis. Arthur
Gleason and Corell Newman had
driven up to the Alger gate at the
SuIHe tluic duu diibhtcu tobttntT. O0-
pleasant words were exchanged, and
Corell, who had been INDUCING the
Newman thirst. struck the storekeep-
er's son, whereupon young Gleason
had drawn his whip from its socket.
and his opponent. whose whip was not
at hand, had snatched billet OF wood
from the w6odpile. Then, after a fur
Their exchange Of hostilIties. the young
men had sprung into their respective
vehicles and driven away at q furious
rate in opposite directions.
Mr.. and Mrs. Alger, witnessing the
scene from the sitting room windows,
felt that the time had come for decis-
I've action. At five o'clock that after.
noon Mandy returned. On either
side of the fireplace her parents were
respectively seated, grim and hostile.
All the brightness died out OF the
girls face.
Mandy" began her mother. sol
emily. Mr. Gleason an C'rell New
man were here today. an that misri-