Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-23
} THE EVENING STORY
sAMUEL's MARRIAGE.
BY CLARIsSA MACKIE.
Copyright, 1910, by Associated Liter
airy, Press.)

The front door slammed behind the
professors departing form, and be-
fore It's vibration had ceased Estelle
I'D Margaret Were lowering behind
the lace draperies in the little parlor.
Professor Mead slowly drew on his
gloves and peered near.sightedly up
and down the street. 1t was barely
possible that he was looking for car
but no! A girls trim figure came
into view, and she turned flashing
dark eyes and smiling scarlet lips to-
ward the tall man on the steps. He
lifted his hat with stiff courtesy and
together, talking earnestly, they dis
appeared around the corner.
This is the sixth day, Margaret,
and I don't know how long it had
been going on before we noticed it"
said the elder Miss Mead, with a
sharp little sigh. "Do you suppose
after all these years Of bachelorhood
that Samuel will marry girl like
Jenny Lee?"
"Of course he WILL replied Mar
garet. impatiently. Samuel is just
the sort Of blind old mole that you'd
overlook all the clever, sweet feally
refined girls he has known and fall in
love with a common, snowy Great
ure like that Lee girl. I wash my
hands of the whole affair."" With a
gesture of disgust Margaret picked
up a piece Of embroidery and bent
serious eyes to it's intricate stitchery
Estelle paced the floor restlessly
II had hoped he would fancy Pussy
she is so clever"
I'm what way?' asked Margaret,
dryly.
"Why-she is remarkable house
keeper-and so charming In every
way. And, she is so interested in his
work" stumbled Estelle, with some
chagrin. REALLY. Margaret, you do
take one up SO! We have always
thought Pussy to be clever IN her
way"
Margaret laughed. PUSSY is dear.
and I would rather have her fo- sis
ter-in-law than any other girl in the
world but Pussy's cleverness is
merely tact and charm. What our
distinguished brother wants is some
ignorant little chit who will make him
wait upon her and go of without his
breakfast every morning..
"Pussy's husband will never go
away without his breakfast, asserted
Estelle, loyalty; but. oh, dear-it
doesn't seem possible that Mead
could marry into that Lee family"
what does the girl dor asked
Margaret.
Works in Beadles' store--I have
bought laces of her." groaned Esr
telle. She sank into deep chair and
remained silent for long time. At
last she lifted determined face. II
shall ask him what 1t means. This
Is the first time he has ever paid
the slightest attention to any grill"
Margaret shrugged her shapely
shoulders.
Late that evening, Estelle sought
her sister with fearful eyes.
ut is quite true. Margaret" she
said, calmly. ~ asked Samuel. point
blank, II he really meant anything by
his attentions to Jenny and he stared
at me with that irritating air of stu
pidity, and you know Samuel is far
from stupid-and said that had an
t,cipated his announcement"
as that all?"
"He said he was sure we would all
be happy together, and If we were
not, why, he'd just go away and make
a new home with Jenny! What shall
we do?" Estelle's voice died out in
little wall of despair.
DO" repeated Margaret, energet.
ically. There is only one thing to
do In such cases, We must pretend
we are delighted with the match aid
we must invite the girl here and find
out the best there Is in her and bring
lit out. Perhaps she is musical-shat
covers multitude of minor defects.
How shall we go about It? One OF
us must call upon her, | suppose.