Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-06-24

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My dear boy" said Mrs. Brayton tt
her son, while they We're alone afteI
dinner, lit is time for you to marry-tC
settle down. Among the nice girls yo,
Know, it surely must be easy to picl
one"
My dear mother" answered Ernes
~laughingly, lit would be much easier t.
pick half a dozen than one. Not thai
the supply is so superintendent. but Of
is such a narrow choice; it bring selec,
ton down to such a fine point"
Nonsense. Ernest. Suppose youl
father had thought so?"
Father, having eyes in his head and
the usual amount of good judgment
was obliged to fix on you, dearest moth,
er; but there are no such chances now
adays. No living girl can ever dupli-
cate YOU"
1t was now October. The preceding
summer he had passed at his mothers
quiet house in Brighton. One day a
party of friends invited hin to dinner
at their hotel. At a table near him,
with some people whom he had never
seen before, sat a young girY who occu-
pied his attention from the first. An
exquisite waist, faultless shoulders, a
white neck supporting a head of in
describable grace, a charming face-ex-
presSive, joyous, limiting at capabilities
of deep emotion-could not fail to excite
his curiosity and to arouse an unac-
customed and tender sentiment. Decid-
edly the two elderly people with her
were not her parents, nor was the mid
dle-aged man who completed the party
her husband.
Brayton's tip to the waiter failed to
elicit information as to their identity.
1t was in early December. when Ern-
est had almost forgotten the Brighton
girl, n had not yet fallen in love with
any other one, that he attended a dance
at Mrs. Chester's. Hardly had he made
his bow to his hostess, when he per-
ceived the fair unknown. Faultlessly
dressed, and trifing with a fan. she sat
in a gilded chair, surrounded by several
young men, who occupied their leisure
between waltzes in paying cour to her.
Ernest lost no time in being presented
by Mrs. Chester, II learned that she
was Miss Pamela Martin.
Ernest was soon whirling in a waltz
with the lovely Pamela, and after 1t
was over had the temerity to ask and
the good luck to obtain another.
Ernest not only danced with Pamela
again, but twice more. and handed her
to supper. This was remarked upon,
and the news went from drawing room
to drawing room that If Pamela Martin
and Ernest Brayton were not engaged
they soon ought to be-.
Mrs. Brayton was not long in hear
ing of this. and set herself to work to
acquire information. Not long after
ward at dinner she said:
We'll, my dear boy. they have you
married al last"
with whom"
with Pamela Martin. Don't deny
her acquaintance"
Il have met her-let me see, five
six INES"
Does she improve each timer"
81 certainly think more of her than
al first. She is brilliant, with charm
ing and undeniably beauti-
full"
This looks very serious" said Mrs.
Brayton.
Mrs. Brayton numbered among her
younger friends. as a specially loyal
and trustworthy confidante, Mrs. Sophy
Manning, not yet %, and already two
years a widow.
My dear Sophy," said the elder
widow to the younger, n crisp win
ter afternoon. sit looks tn me as IL
Ernest would marry Pamela Martin
after ALL"
After all?"
Yes. Don't you know I'VE done my
little hes. to discourage such an event
short of absolute opposition? That
would hurl him al her feet al once"
And mild opposition tends to the
same result. Why not try the opposite
treatment? Talk about her all day
every day. Get Miss Fadely to sing
her praises to Ernest. Let him think
that the whole world burns with the
desire to fling her at his head. and II
may cure him of any wish to fling him
self al her feet"
why, this. is like homeopathy re-
versed." said Mrs. Brayton. But, Sc
riously, my dear Sophy. / have though
often during the past year that yot
could make Ernest happy.
IF he should ask me to be a sister Il
him? He knows me too we'll to low,
me. Love is born Of a certain strange.
ness-at least the novel writers sa,
So"
Nonsense. Sophy! Ernest couls
very easily love you: and l know tina
you like him very we'll"
The pretty widow laughed.
"Oh, what a lot of diplomacy to en-
snare a young man! And that his owl
mother should be in the plot, tool"
This conversation seemed to hav,
had no results in any direction, be
cause by EasteTtide the engagement
of Pamela Martin and Ernest Braytol
was
In the early part OF June Mrs. Bray
ton proposed to Ernest that he shoul,
accompany her 10 a property owne,
by a Mrs. Manning in Ireland.
Mrs. Manning. however, a mad
elaborate preparations for a hous
warming in her Irish house: a regi
ment OF servants "a already there
and there was to be no lack Of societ
amusements.
Pamela pouted a little when Ernes
informed her that he must be ava
from her during the next six weeks
He promised TO rejoin her at Brighton
In fact. Pamela had been informed I
some extent. by good natured friend
who are always alert to bring ba
| news. tina a1r. Brayyon a lost q Il
OF money IN consequence OF the failur
OF a certain bank, and that he was b
| no means NO eli gibie as formerly. Bu