Smyrna times., 1908-11-25
A Matrimonial
Importation.
By JENNIE LUDLUM LEE.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.
Y JENNIE LUDLUM LEE.
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Earle Scott arrived at the pier just
as the giant steamship docked. He. ap-
peared to be looking for no particular
person. but. rather, to search the faces
of the crowds about him. Some one
tapped him on the arm.
Are you one of those horrid men?'
a rather tired voice inquired.
Scott turned and smiled at the girl
beside him.
well. 1 certainly am a man." he
acknowledged. "and l guess I'm about |
as horrid as most of my SEX"
"Oh, l didn't mean-I beg your par
dom" stammered the girl. Il meant
were you a customs officer? You see
I'm
He scanned the girls face closely
Could she be up to the old game Of
smuggling? More than one official had
been tricked by a pair of honest eyes,
and Scott had just acknowledged that
| he was but a mere man. The girl GER
tainly had a fascinating personality.
Scott informed her that he was not a
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. Il want a cab to take me to that
address," and she handed him a visit
ing card. mo one has met me. and,
oh, must get away before he comes
off the boat"
Il understand" assured Scott. though
in reality he did not. Want to shake
some undesirable shipboard acquaint-
ance?"
Its not exactly that-he's dear,
butch, if you will just get me a cab
that will solve the whole problem"
A cabman was found who agreed 70
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 uncle write and thank
you?' she inquired
He drew card from his wallet and
| DlGSelltu II " llGl- AAOhA oLN ANtto
TIE address in trembling voice, 'Mr
Earle Cowdrey Scott, Harlequin Club"
won't you write instead?" Earle
suggested. but the disinterested cab
man whipped up his horse and her
answer was lost.
Scott now hurriedly returned TO the
ship and boarded her He had no diff
ficulty in finding his father, who was
always among the last to leave a ship.
His son. knowing this. had not hasten
ed to find him. After the first greet
ings the old gentleman slapped his SOD
affectionately upon the shoulder.
"Well. my boy, I've brought you a
fine present this year-a rare prize"
Then. glancing about the ship and the
crowd below them, he added, But
think the little mink has slipped off"
That evening as father and son sal
chatting over their coffee and cigars
the old gentleman announced:
"Well. Earle. | brought a wife home
for you-came over in the ship will
me-
Earle seemed somewhat startled.
MAY | ask, dad. if you have mar
ried again, or is this matrimonial i'm
portatiOn for me to take unto my
self?"
"Oh. for you-for you" said the oil
man gleefully. And we're goin
around there tonight Here's wher
she is. Her uncle. old John Banks
( is great friend of mine"
;. He passed the card over to Earle
! The latter had held the mate to it i
- the morning. Smiling to himself, Earl
agreed, thinking that the mysteriou
girl was we'll worth knowing bette
\ All day long innumerable pictures c
b her had fitted through his mind II
would be glad to know the truth.
When father and son were announ
ed, John Banks and his niece entere
the room full Of hearty greetings, bl
the young couple gave no outwal
sign of recognition. Before long Il
two elder men found that comic
awaited them in the library in Il
form of duplicate whist and good {
gars.
Earle noted that Edith HamikOn WI
somewhat i'll at sesses but made lit
headway In solving the problem tn
evening. When he left the house, ho'
ever, he had to acknowledge to hil
self that the girl was charming in t
extreme He asked permission to c;
again.
And, by the way, Miss Hamilton,
don't have to drag father along eve
time. do I?' he asked in mock def
ence.
On the way home that evening
father went into something of an {
PLANTATION.
There's an old fashioned girl
you, Earle. Like your mother was
a girl Nothing deceitful about be
right in the open-everything straie
from the shoulder. l talked
about you on the trip over and told
u she was just the type of girl you w
g., Iat nandad hnT =