The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-11-07
Out of1be
Frying Pan.
BY CECILIA A. LOIZEAUx.


"There's not much use In our plan
ming anything" said Mrs. Halsted, a
trlhe petuantly. "You don't know
Mary. She's too contrary to agree
with herself, and the minute she finds
out that we want her TO meet Ben
she'll go off at tangent and every
thing will be spoiled
There are more ways than one 10
kill cat" replied Mrs. Markham sue
cinctly. "Why do you let her find II
out. then? Just let him take her by
surprise. I'll arrange II so that be
stops here on his way up to Wisconsin,
where he goes for his vacation. He
will Just drop off for day to see his
aunt, and then our troubles will be over
There Is no doubt whatever that they
were made for each other and they
might as well have It over with. IL
were you ia have the wedding In DC
tober," she finished complacently.
"Wel''- said the other doubtfully
And then: How does Ben feel about
It? After all. It mostly depends on
how he takes 1t. Is he interestedr'
''Indeed he is. He feels a little shy
! think, but he's willing to be shown
Says he's from Missouri. think he's
even anxious. But, as far ms that goes
Mary Is Interested, too only she Is too
independent to show It, Just give her
n chance TO meet him accidentally OF
unexpectedly and everything will be
all right"
SIS that sor' calculated n girl In
the dlmly lit hall. though she sup
pressed her voice. $50 I'm to have q
blue ribbon tied about my neck and
be exhibited to this eager young man
from Missouri, am ~
Once in her room she turned the
lights on at either side OF her dressing
table and looked at herself In the glass
Her glowing dark face was anything
but meek, and she turned the light Oh
then sat down In the open window
She was angry-very angry. she told
herself
"The very idea Of planning TO marry
me of TO n man I've never seen and
never want to seel It's positively me
diaeyal"
But presently the humorous side OF
| II came TO the rescue, as was usua
with her. and she laughed as she un
/ dressed.
| Early the next morning she wrote d
long letter 10 her best friend. who wa.
| spending the summer at the lakes and
laughed gleefully as she ran down
stairs TO put II In the box. Early al
/ she was, however, some one bad beer
4 there before her. A letter was stick
ing out, and, thinking that the post
man must have passed flready, she
pulled II out TO see II II was hers.
"Mr. Zen Markham, Des Moinos
/ Ia" she read and rammed II ylcloaal5
| back into the box 'They aren't vast
+ Ing any time AT any rate Bat II takes
two 10 fail IA love, Mr. Ben Markham
and I can't get away 20 marry you
today" she sang, nor this October
| either"
For two days she watched the mai
/ closely. aH o. the tilf1 dag tie post
man on his noon trip pui into her oat
stretched band the letter for whleii sht
4 was waiting =, ras In masculine
eciipt and addressed 10 Mrs Marlsliam
She carried Il up % the lady IN lei
room and then went on Into her own
leaving the door open crack sh'
was rewarded by hearing the guest saJ
10 her mother rIIe's coming Thurs
day. He has tried 10 write Indifferent
ly. but And then she hanged 'h'
door
rfIe prolaoly was Indifferent. III
would be n be were anything hut {
peltlcoai man. ! should think he'd
hate The sound Of niy name Is badli
rs do bis. IIe wonil Il he were any
fhlag but q mollycoidle"' Anl sh'
wrote another lrief note 20 NajGe
telling her aise would be down On tb'
noon train Thursday
on wednesday while her mother ane
Mrs. Markham were out driving kh'
got large trunk safely away frosr
the house.