The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-04-15
"A Matrimonial
Importation.
BY JENNIE LUDLUN1 LEE.

**.t4-t*t++s.s-s.s* .st a.s.**.+ ++ss.
Earle Scott arrived at the pier just
as the giant steamship locked. He APP
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 menu"
a rather tired voice inquired
Scott turned and smiled at the girl
beside him.
well, / certainly am a man." he
acknowledged, "and l guess I'm about
as horrid as most of my SEX"
ooh, didn't meant beg your par
don," stammered the girl. 81 meant
were you 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 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.
ooh, thank you so much" she ex-
claimed as she hurriedly glanced about
her. 81 want a cab to take me to that
address," and she handed him visit
ing card. mo one has met me, and,
OH l must get away before he comes
off the boat"
II understand" assured Scott, though
in reality he did not. want to shake
some undesirable shipboard aoquaint-
anceY
Its not exactly that-he's a dear,
butch. if you will just get me a cab
that will solve the whole problem"
A cabman was found who agreed to
take the girl TO her destination for a
nominal fee, and as Scott closed the
she leaned forward through the win
dow.
won't you tell me your name and
I'll have my uncle write and thank
you" she inquired.
| He drew card from his wallet and
presented it to her. Aloud she read
the 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 10 the
ship and boarded her. He had no diff
fculty in finding his father, who was
always among the last to leave ship.
His son, knowing this, had not hasten
ed to find him. After the first greet
ings the old gentleman slapped his son
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 sat
chatting over their coffee and cigars
the old gentleman announced:
"Well, Earle, l brought wife home
for you-came over in the ship with
me-"
Earle seemed somewhat startled
MAY | ask, dad, if you have mar
ried again, or is this matrimonial i'm
portaton for me to take unto my
self"
"Oh, for you-for you" said the old
man, gleefully. "And we're going
around there tonight. Here's where
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 in
the morning. Smiling to himself, Earle
agreed, thinking that the mysterious
girl was we'll worth knowing better
All day long innumerable pictures OF
her had fitted through his mind. He
would be glad to know the truth.
When father and son were announc
ed, John Banks and his niece entered
the room full of hearty greetings, but
the young couple gave no outward
sign of recognition. Before long the
two elder men found that comfor
awaited them in the library in the
form of duplicate whist and good CT
CARS.
Earle noted that Edith Hamilton was
somewhat III at ease, but made little
Roadway in solving the problem tina
evening. When he left the house, how
ever, he had to acknowledge to him
self that the girl was charming in the
extreme. He asked permission to cal
again.
"And, by the way, Miss Hamilton,
don't have to drag father along every
time, do I?' he asked in mock defer
ence.
On the way home that evening thu
father went into something of an ex
PLANTATION.
"There's an old fashioned girl To-
you, Earle. Like your mother was al
4 girl Nothing deceitful about her
right in the open-everything straigh
from the shoulder l talked 10
about you on the trip over and told he
she was just the type of girl you wer'
looking for-that we needed her scr
to round out our home. She's been II