The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-10-08
their movements.

regulate tnelr nOVetueuts.
Tom was always with Sallie. Bob In
the wake of Mary. The couples weren't
matched to suit the elders; but, from
fearing they were engaged, they be-
gan to fear they were not This was
because the young people were begin
ming to excite social comment by rea-
son of several escapades, obviously In
nocent, apparently accidental. They
all came home one day dripping wet
from overturning their canoes and
swimming out and another night they
walked home ten miles after the motor
broke down-by arrangement. 1t was
first one thing. then another. Finally
the parents compared notes. They de.
cided that there was only one thing to
be done-interview the four together
and insist on less public devotion or an
announcement Of engagements.
The young people knew of this, and
the evening the council was to occur
at Sallie's home they promptly absent
ed themselves. The meeting began,
and after much polite sparring it was
decided to make the best of the Tom
and-Sallie and Rob-and-Mary arrange
ments. The old folks showed a touch
ing resignation. All they would insist
on was a knowledge Of the facts.
At this juncture Tom and Sallie
strolled in, followed by the other two,
all showing delightful surprise at the
parental presence.
1T looks like a council Of war;"
commented Tom, while his father glow
cred, and then began the attack, fol-
lowed by Sallies father and the inter
polations of the others.
"If you are engaged" Mrs. Trevor
finished, "we insist on having 1t prop
erly announced. If you are not-well,
you ought to be. hope you under
stand our point of view."
A silence followed, broken only by a
nervous little giggle-the giggle Mrs.
Martin would not like in a daughter
in-law. Finally it was Bob who spoke
as the four stood under the chandelier
in the usual couples.
1--WE are sorry-not for ourselves, but
for you-that we are not engaged. We
fully appreciate your assembled wishes.
But we don't see how we can be en-
gagged. 1t is, in fact, impossible" He
looked at Tom to finish, and that
young man rose to the occasion. He
was even a bit dramatic as he faced
the four fathers, the four mothers, sit
ting in stern conclave, but visibly sof-
tened by the well bred. beautiful young
quartet before them, young people
charming and, after all. old enough to
know their own minds. Thomas spoke
to his own mother.
1.-THE fact is, we all hate nonsense.
We hate planned matches, and being
engaged to order with diamond rings
to advertise the fact, and the society
pussies purring and fashionable we'd
dings preceded by showers of stuff
that only fire or some other special
dispensation of Providence can rid you
Of. And then"-he took q lawyer-like
tone BETTING the junior partner of the
firm of Tracy & Tracy, 1--WE cannot be
engaged because"-he paused for eff
feet and got it, for sudden suspicion
sent the parents as one to their feet
-"because we are already married"
he finished leisurely, "a month ago at
he finished leisurely. "a month ago at
Baxter, by Roberts uncle John, who
also hates fuss and feathers" With n
quick movement Tom moved-past Sal
leland took Mary by the hand, lead
ing her to his mother, and Bob had !
Sallie by both hands, looking at her
only, forgetting the others.
And when it finally became evident |
to the bewildered families that the |
right children were together, that Sal
lie had married Robert, that Tom had |
married Mary, the relief went far on
the way to forgiveness for the elope-
ment.
"But why elope?" Sallie's father final
ly asked. Il think l may say for my
friends that these marriages will make
us ultimately happy-that they are. in
fact, just what we desired. What was
the real trouble? We were all quite
willing" But chorus of laughter
greeted him-happy young laughter.
"That was just the trouble. You
were too willing" 1t was Sallie who
had spoken from the shelter Of her
young husbands arm. Then every