Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-11-11
FATE AND MRS. RAYARc.
BY Lula Johnston.


portioned figure in the doorway. I'm
hiding" she explained, as Chisholm
came forward. I'm hiding from
man."
''Remarkablel" was Chrisholm's
quiet comment as he dropped into
chair opposite the settee on which
Miss Sprague sat. 81 have come here
to hide from a woman--a woman |
never met"
Ethel clapped her hands. Wouldn't
it he funny if it happened that you
were running away from me and l
was running away from you, and we
both should be hiding here together
from each other?''
More than likely we are the vic
Tins Of Mrs. Bayard's well-intention-
ed efforts" assented Chisholm. at is
odd that after lodging Mrs. Bayard
we should find ourselves in the same
retreat with the common aim of avoid
ing each other"
IF you should tell me your name"
suggested Ethel, 1--WE could find out
if we really are the only two victims
of Mrs. Bayard's matchmaking
craze"
"And rob the situation of it's pi-
quancyl" " objected Chisholm. No,
ss-Miss Miss Dimples. |
think we will enjoy chat far more
because we are not absolutely GER
tain that presently we will emerge
from our retreat only to be pounced
upon by the energetic Mrs. Bayard,
thereupon to be introduced to each
other while the world-our little
world-looks on and smiles it's COM
miseration."
Mrs. Bayard means we'll" declar-
ed Ethel, "but it is dreadful the way
she goes around introducing people
with a look that says Now / have
introduced you young people l shall
expect you to be married immediate.
ly, because you are perfectly suited
to each other Every one finds such
amusement in Mrs. Bayard's match.
making that her victims are marked
persons, SO they come to hate each
other"
If she were content with mere
hints, 1t would not be so bad" con
tinued Chisholm comfortably, "but
she had me over here this morning
to tell me that tonight I should NEE
my fate"
"And she wrote me- explained Eth
Ell. 1T seems that she has three sets
Of victims here tonight, so as soon az
| came I made straight for this flir
tatien nook. Mrs. Bayard believes il
Filtration booths to further her ami
able ends, and it seemed clever bi
Of, satire to take refuge in one of he
matrimonial traps"
4 felt much the same way" assent
ed Chisholm. "Of course, some tim,
In the course of the evening l shal
have to undergo the ordeal, but
am trying to defer her introduction
until the last moment.
"This is the first time that eve
| hava hnan uvornod +bo+ T ,.,,,,4 ,,,o,,,,
whether Or no-and, well, | don't sur
pose that it would sound right to sa
that I am bashful ul-but don't seen
to fancy the idea"
| Which is ungrateful when Mrs
Bayard goes to such trouble on ou
account" reminded Ethel. "She give
teree or four balls year "iust
bring people together as she e1
presses it."
Just as though the people woul
not find each other If let alone!" con
mented Chisholm, with laugh. mo
| ! can imagine that in happier circun
stances I might"
WHAT" demanded Ethel, as Chi
holm paused.
Il was going to say" he conclude,
"that left to myself might, perhap
have carried out Mrs. Bayard's wis
es through natural impulse, and NJ
through sense Of duty"
Ethel oolored softly at the remar
for the meaning was not to be mi
taken; moreover, she suddenly r
gretted the matchmaking propensitit
Of her hostess, which had resulted
prejudicing the mind Of this nev
found acquaintance against her.
Il remember when was youn
stef in short trousers" reminiscs
Chisholm, "that one day my faith,
mixed pail of whitewash, placed
brush beside it and gave me strict I
ders not to whitewash the chickt
coops, because | did not have the I
quisite skill. Then he went downtov
and took chances on thrashing
prove that I could do it'
I'VE always want to do the forbi
, den things" assented Ethel. Il su
pose we inherit the trait from o
first parents"
Its human nature agreed CHI
holm. "Now, If Mrs. Bayard had sal
Above all things keep away fro
Miss er-Dimples, should ha
hunted up the introduction the We
! first thing instead Of running off
hide"
4 And then you make my acquail
, ance the very first thing, Just t