The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-07-11
A MATTER OF
STRATEGY
By CLARA A. GRADY

The portly marriage license clerk
beamed kindly through his gun met
al trimmed nose glasses at the en-
barrassed young couple before him.
I'm sorry, Mr.. Parker" and his
voice expressed genuine regret, ''but
l am afraid | cannot issue a license
to YOU"
'Why not?" demanded the young
man.
"You are not a resident of Boone
county. In order to secure a IL
cense you must reside here at least
one month"
The young man groaned. 81 give
it up, Ella" turning to the crest
fallen girl. ut looks as if there vas
nothing for it but to go home and
wait until you are of age"
But" interposed the mystiied
clerk, you tell me you are both resi-
dents Of Carbon county; then, why
not secure a license there?7
Because Mr.. Smith, the marriage
license clerk, happens to be Miss
Dale's uncle" explained Robert
Parker.
The clerk nodded comprehending-
ly. "Ah, l see!" he murmured.
"Then / am afraid there is no reme-
dy unless you can gain Mr.. Smiths
consent"
"He wouldn't have said that if he
knew Uncle Elias as / do" re-
marked Ella. GROSSLY. They were
, retracing their steps to the depot,
too thoroughly disheartened to think
even Of luncheon. "One might as
: well try to move that iron post as
to try and move Uncle Elias when
his mind is once made up"
"If he'd only give a real reason
interposed Robert, gloomily. CAL
this talk about you being too young
is absurd"
Suddenly Ella started up. She
grasped his coat sleeve eagerly. "PyC
got it," she cried, excitedly.
"Got what?" Robert looked a
: her in apprehension, wondering j.
the disappointment had turned he
{ brain.
She laughed at his %perturbed face
'NWhy, a plan to outwit Uncle Elias
: to be sure. What else do you thinl
Fyebeen racking my brains over 70
= the last half hour?"
"0hp said he, in a relieved tone
"Lets hear it."
81 won't tell you now at least no
, all of it." she added, hastily, ward
ing off the remonstrance she saw i
his eyes. "It's better if you don
know everything for awhile"
"Am I not going to be in it? ]
there nothing / cen do?"
p eyes, you can quarrel with me,
said Ella, demurely.
er "Qharrel?' echoed Robert, blanl
o ly. "What for?"
"What a big stupid you are, Rol
2. / mean only a make-believe quarre
of course. To throw Uncle Elias 0
the track, you know, and"
e She hesitated an instant, then 81
went brayely on IF you could mai
e age to let a hint go around that yC
were paying attention to some OIL
p else it would help my plan along
1Il do nothing of the kind
~ exploded Robert. He could not u
derstand this within, as he mental
~ designated it; besides, he was hu
CRY and had Ella so chosen she cou
have picked a bonafde quarrel wi
p very little effort. But she only sa
soothngly:
re- "Now, Rob, dear, don't spoil
all; for if it succeeds we can mar
in the near future. Here's Feltc
vile. You'll have to get off in
'tty minute. Won't you agree to
ne what / ask?'
~For how long?' asked Robe
ice somewhat Modified.
a4s lets Try it for a month; do
groan SO dismally Rob, and if no.
81 ing comes Of it III drop it."
81 ooh, well, / suppose I've got
say yes. But for punishment !
/ going to kiss you good-by in fr
Of all these people" And he did,
spite Of her blushing protest.
" Its a good thing Rob wall
over to Feltonyilie to board
train,H unused Ella when she
waved n final oood-hv. would