The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-21

w Jest all tne
"Circular from a marri-by the bu-
age bureau" reau as TO
how easily and for small pay
men, they introduced their men
and women clients to one another,
and how these intrcductions led D
marriages and the establishment OF
happy homes.
After three days CT grave
thoa,n over The wisdom Of giving
resp nse to the Establishments OF the
circula., Florence wet into the IL
brary and began search among tie
photo graphs of herself to find one
that would do to send to the "gency.
In her letter to the bureau Miss
Martin abstained from giving mucn
information concerning the proper
ty she owned.
On the day after Florence posted
the letter, Dick SteveEs, the town
marshal, happened to be passing
along the sidewalk in front of her
home and he stopped to chat with
her for :, few minutes as she trim
med some rose bushes near the
f,nce.
After a week of anxious waiting
for an answer to her letter, Flor-
ence went to the post Office one morn
ing and received the expected mis-
sive. Hurrying home she tore it
open, and as she did so, a photo
graph fell out. 1t was the likeness
of a handsome mid,lle-aged man,
and the accompanying inclosure
stated that the writer and prospec-
tive husband OF Flol encu would al
rive in Pineville the next day to have
talk with her about the advisa-
bility Of their being Joined in mar
rage.
Florence almost counted the min
utes until the next day when there
cs me a knock on the door.
II would like to speak to Miss
Florence Martini" sad the visitor
who, though of pre2ossessing fac
ial appearance, and fairly we'll dress
ed, spoke In q tone of voice which
showed unmistakably that he had
been indulging in some intoxicating
beverage.
81 am Miss FlUren Martin"
You. Miss Martini" the pros
pective spouse said huskily as he
rose to his feet rather unsteadily
why, there must be some joke
say, is this your picture?" and he
took Florence's photograph from mis-
coat pocket and thrust it ''osely uI
before her Sace.
Yes, that is. l had it taken-i'
was three years ago-1 know / look
cider but" said Florence in
Quick, disjointed lite eXclamations
that had anything but modifying
effect en- her guest. He picked uT
his hat, went quickly to door and
bracing himself against the panel
was bold and shameful decep,
began to upbraid Florence in no M
certain terms for what he declared
tion"
I've spent whole lot Of money
to comeGhere! he exclaimed in an
,er, TO nnu that you're twenty
years older than the woman in this
picture. He flung the photograph
into the hall and kept up a TRADE oil
abuse until Florence coult stand II
no longer. She vent to the door
and tried to close it, but the fello"
resisted her efforts. Then as she
was about to fall from her excite
ment she heard the voice O. .MarshoI
Stevens saying.
What is this man trying to TO
Miss Martini
'He insulted me grossly" she
cried. Make him get away at
once"
The marshal put his hand on the
strangers shoulder anc was about
to take him to Jail when Florence
interposed and told the officer to
simply take him to the gate AMI
and make him go on about his way.
Stevens obeyed her instructions
and then returned to earn of the
strangers business in town. The
marshal told her that he was pass
ing ner home when he heard the an
erv voice of the man at the door
They talked for ,ver an hour
When the marshal left the house
his face wore a happy lCok. Sew
eral weeks after the visit of the
man from the marriage bureau the
Pinevilie Evening News containing
an article of interest to the whole
county
It was the story of the marriage of
Florence Martin and Dick Stevens.