Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-12-22

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 1t was
decided to make the best of the Tom
and Saliie and Rob-and- Mary arrange
ments. The old folks showed touch
ing resignation. All they would insist
on was a knowledge Of the facts.
At this juncture Tom and Sallie
stro.led In, followed by the other two,
ali showing delightful surprise at the
parental presence.
ut looks like a council Of war;"
commented Tom, while bis father glow
cred. and then began the attack, fol-
lowed BY Sallie's father and the inter
polattons Of the others.
IF you are engaged" Mrs. Trevor
finished. I'VE insist on having It prop
eriy announced. II you are not-well,
You ought to be. l hope You under
stand our point Of view"
A silence followed. broken only BY
nervous little giggle-the giggle Ara
Martin would not like In q daughter
in-law. Finally It was Bob who spoke
AZ the four stood under the chandelier
IN the usual couples.
I'VE 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. It Is, In fact impossible" He
looked at Tom to finish, and that
young man rose to the occasion. He
was even q 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 lawyer-like
tone BETTING the junior partner of the
firm Of Tracy & Tracy. I'VE 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
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 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 a chorus Of laughter
greeted him-happy young laughter.
THAT was just the trouble. You
were too willingw 1t was Sallie who
had spoken from the shelter Of her
young husbands arm. Then every
body laughed.