Putnam patriot., 1908-10-02
A Matrimonial
 Importation. By JENNIE LUDLun LEE
.<%s...4s+s-s-+l-s-tf+++s
co9yrightea. i'ez. by Associatsd

as the gia., steamship docked. He aIr
 reared to te booking for no particular
 person. but, rather. to search the faces
 of the crowds aAoat hlrn. Some one
 tapped him on the arm.
 Are you one Of those horrid menF.
 a rather tired geiee inquired
 Scott turned and smiled at the girl
 beside bim.
 Well certalnly am man" he
 acknowledged. .ana guess I'm about
 as horrid as Inee of ny sex"
 "oh. didn't mean beg your par
 don" stanmer.a tlle girl T meant
 were you customs oGicers You see.
 rin--
 He scanned the girls face closely
 Could she be up to the old game of smuggllngf More than one ofiiciai had
 been tricked by q pair of honest eA es- ab,i Scott had just acknowledged that he was but mere man. The girl ccr- talnIy had a fascinating personality. Scott informed her that he was not customs official. but offered to be Of any assistance to her. "Oh. thank you so much" she ex- |. claimed as she hurriedly glanced about her. "I want cab 10 take me :o that address, and she handed him A visit ing card. No one has met me, and oh. I must get away before he comes off the boat"
 "f understand, assured Scott. though fin reality he did not Want to shake some undesira bie shipboard aequaint- ancer'
 ITS not exactly that-be's dear but-oh. If you will just get ne cab that will solve Inc whole problem A cabman was found who agreed to take the girl to her destination for nominal fee and as Scott closed the door upon his mysterious companion she leaned forward through the win dow.
 Wont you tell me your name and I'll have my uncie write and thank
 yoa7" she inquired
 He drew card from his wallet and presented fl to her Aloud sho read | the address in trembling voice, eMr. Earle CoNdrey Scott, Harlequin Club  eWentt yeu write instead?" Earle suggested. hnt the disinterested cab.
 man whipped ap his horse and her
 answer WIS lost.
 Scott now hnrriedly returned to the ! ship and boarded her. He had no diff | fienlty in finding his father, who was always among the Inst to leave ship | His son. knowing ths had not hasten l cd to find hlm After the first greet | ings the old gentleman slapped his son l affectionately upon the shoulder.
 Well. my hoy. I've brought you q I fine present this vnar-e rare prize" :" Then, glnneing about the ship and the
 crowd below them. he added But
 think the little mlnx has slipped off" 1 That evening IS father and son sat
 chatting over their coffee and cigars l the old gentleman announced.
 Well. Earle l brought wife home l for you-came over in the ship with 1 ne
 Earle seemed somewhat startled.
 May ask daa. If yoa have mar l ried again. or Is this matrimonial im | portation for me to take unto my self -
 soh for for yon.s said the old
 man gleefuly And were going around there tonight Here's where
 she is Her uncle. old John Banks Is d great friend ef mine ''
 He passed the card over to Earle
 The latter had held the mate to t in the morning Smiling to himself, Earle
 agreed. thinking that the mysterious
 girl was well worth knowing better l All day long innumerahle pictures of | her had fitted through his mind. He | would be glad to know the truth. | When father and son were announc- | cd. John Ranks and his niece entered | the room full of hearty greetings. but l the young couple gave no outward | sign af recognition. Before long the l two elder men found that comfort l awaited them in the library in the 1 form of duplicate whist and good ci- | gars
 Earle isated flat Edith Hamilton was 1 somewhat M tt ease but made little
 heaaway ii selting the problem that 1 evening When he left the mousse, how ever he had to acknowledge to him
 self tllat Che glrl Was charming in the
 extreme He asked permission 10 call agaia.
 And. hg tbe way. Miss Hamilton, don't haze ga drag father along every time. d. l he askod in mock defer enee
 on the way beme that evening tho father went into something of an ex-
 nlanafion
 .sTlcfess an old fashioned girl for l you. Earle Like your Iother was as girl Nothing deeeitful about her l right in the apeH@e everything straight l from the shoulder talked iot about you on the trip over and told her
 she WAS just the type of girl you were | looking fertha we needed her sort | to round out eur home. She's been in l school for years over in France and now has come te keep house for Banks, | How did she strike yeug'' As most tleeeltful. deep young per. son annoaneed Earle. with great em. | phasis Yet in his heart he really felt | that the apparent deceit only added te | her cAsrms
 Earle ht>eame frequent visitor at | the Ranks household He had the name of a heartless bachelor among his club mates Women In general had made little impression on him. but he had Ia acknowledge to himself that he loved this girl with all his power. and his power was great one. He wanted her aud would leave no stone unturned to win her. And the evening came when he told her of his love and asked her ta he his wife,