Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1908-08-06
A LOVERS RUSE.
"And he has red hair

| Vernon always ended her objections to
marrying her cousin, Tom Manning,
which her parents and his were so
foolishly anxious to accomplish-fool
ishly, we say, because if they had not
betrayed such anxiety. but had let the
young people come together naturally.
their hopes would have stood fair
chance of being realized. AS it WAS.
it seemed to be the very last thing
that was likely to happen.
They had not met since they were
children and were not likely to while
left to their own Devices which GER
tainly We're very fertile in contrivinG
to avoid everything that was likely to
bring them in contact.
Whenever Tom visited his Uncle Yer
non Bertha was sure to be impressed
/ W.lh the idea that it was the most
fitting time for her to pay a long prom.
Used visit to some lady friend which
kept her out of town so long as he
stayed.
And whenever Bertha visited her Tn.
Gle Manning. Tom was equally as sue
to have some important business on.
gagement to call him out of town while
She was at his fathers house.
Thls they continued to play ut cross
purposes until the patieuce of those
who had planned the match WAS near
ly exhausted.
And now to complicate matters and
make them still more discouraging Il
rival had stepped into the field Mr.
Henry. a distant relative of the parish
clergyman. who had come to Green.
vile to spend the summer months.
There seemed to be strong attrac
ion between the two the first time
they met. which ripened in an incredi
bly, short space Of time into the warm
est affection.
Eut of this the parents Of Bertha
were in blissful ignorance. they being
away on visit to Toms father with
the avowed intention of bringing the
young man back with them. to Berthas
great disgust, who contidentally IN.
formed her lover as Mr.. Henry now
was. that she had half a mind to run
away and not see him.
She then gave him q detailed account
Of her grievance. together with her
many reasons for detesting Cousin
Tom. ending her decidedly uncompli-
mentary remarks. rs usual. with:
And he has red hair"'
Mr.. Henry stroked oughtfully his
tawny beard. an amused smile playing
around his mouth.
"Sore people have been so discourte-
Gus as to hint that my hair is of red.
dish tnge. have very vivid re-
membrance when | was boy of some
| one calling ont to me as | was riding
| by: Look out. Your heads on fire. :"
How ridiculous." laughed Bertha.
why. your hair is just beautiful
chestnut brown"
Il am glad you think 80. my love.
You say that you have never seen your
cousin Tom since he was Il boy:"
NO. And he was one of the most
disagreeable boy, ever saw yet. never
so happy as wien plaguing some of us
girls He broke the head of my wax
doll. stoned my pet kitten and dug up
the choicest plants in my garden and
was such torment generally that
was glad when he was out Of my sight
and hearing. And he Is coming tomor-
row. so papa writes. and | know what
| for. But I'm determined on one thing
that never will marry Cousin Tom"
The young man looked down smil-
| ingly into that flushed and earnest
face. which had never looked so lovely
to him as now.
| Do frn nj t.,1 lit
will be there. too. and we will see
which will win the day, Cousin Tom
or l."
The shadows of twilight had gath
cred around the quiet corner where
Mr.. Vernon and his nephew sat in
earnest converse.
The former arose as Bertha entered,
her heart beating very fast at the
thought of the ordeal she knew was
| before her
MY daughter. here Is your cousin
| Tom. who has come for the express
purpose Of asking you to be his wife.
What is your answer yes or no."
Bertha did not even raise her eyes
to the dim outline of the form that
was sitting on the sofa. but her tones.
| though low. were very firm us she sad:
1T is NO papa. am willing to give
! Cousin Tom the regard that is due to
his relation to me and to you, but
cannot marry him."
Leaving Cousin Tom to reply. who
now emerged from his obscurity. MIR.
Vernon quietly slipped away
'>rpposirS won't take NO for an
answer p
The SOUND uf that familiar voice
made Bertha raise her eyes quickly
to the face of the speaker.
"Mr. Henry"
Thomas Henry Manning at your
service Forgive me, darling" he whis-
pered as he looked into Bertha's white.
/ beWiit.ered face. Il wanted to see and
judge my fttla cousin for herself"
ITS 4 shame T0uted Bertha, doing
her best to look angry and failing mis-
erably. "You've taken q taaaa and uu-