Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1910-07-21

Gail cried excitedly.
What does he do2" inquired Fanny.
rs he a lawyer or a clergyman or"
She paused. trying to recall the pro-
fession Anne had always shown most
preference for.
"Oh, he is a business man." Anne
said, still turning her ring proudly.
Then he is rich, of course. oh.
Anne, how lucky you are!" Hilda
igshed.
Yes, l think am lucky" Anne
said, complacently.
II think he is lucky to get Anne"
said loyal Gail.
"Oh, Gail, you are partial" Anne
chided. wait till you see him and
then you will wonder how he could
ever have chosen me-"
Have you got his picture?" Fanny
asked.
Anne shook her head.
What is his manner" questioned
Hilda.
His name is Theodore Rivington
Reese" Anne announced the name
slowly and with becoming reverence.
What a beautiful name!" Gail
breathed. do you call him Teddy for
short?"
"oh, mol" Anne looked startled.
mo, indeed! Teddy would be horribly
out Of place-with him"
Theodore Rivington Reese" Hilda
repeated. why, that name might
have come out of a novel! Mrs.
Theodore Rivington Reese! Doesn't
it sound grand?"
Makes John Wilbur sound pretty
shabby, doesn't it?" Gail queried mis-
chievously.
Poor joint" Anne pulled on her
gloves while the girls watched her
with mingled feelings of envy and in
terest and regret.
well, | must CO." She rose.
Come and see me and we'll talk it all
over You haven't said word about
yourselves"
How could we when we were so in
terested in your" Gail asked. You
are forgiven for your long neglect of
us, we understand everything, now"
II knew you would" Anne said.
And you are happy? But of course
you are!" Fanny hung upon her
anxiously.
Happy" Anne's voice had the
hush of exceeding joy. my deaTs,
you will never know how happy until
! you each find the one man for your
SELF"
Il suppose not" the girls said. They
followed her to the door. When she
had gone they returned solemnIy tc
| the radiator
II knew no ordinary man would get
her." Gail reflected at length.
Isn't it wonderful" Fanny unused
Fate does indeed Turk in unexpected
places. Anne herself never dreamed
Of this when she went south for her
fathers health. Tall and blonde and
handsome and rich! Such a lucky
grill"
"She didn't say" Hilda said, little
sharply, thinking Of plain good John,
who had courted Anne unsuccessfully
Il know she didn't" Gail returned.
firmly. But we all know Anne
wouldn't have him If he wasn't all
that and more"
Within week the whole town was
agog over Anne's unexpected engage
ment And when she began to pre-
pare for her betrothed's visit, her girl
friends fiocked to offer their loving
service with no attempt to conceal
their curiosity to see him.
AS his visit was only to last three
days. on account of his not being able
to leave his business for a longer
time, Anne had decided to hold a re-
ception for him the evening of his ar
rival
Theodore Rivington Reese was met
at the station by closed carriage, it
being a rainy day, and of course no
one caught a glimpse of him during his
rapid passage to the Gabe home
Fanny, Hilda and Gall, bravely
logged in inery fresh for the occa-
sion, went together. flushed and fut-
tering with excitement. As they en-
tered the large old Gage parlor they
beheld Anne standing very tall and
stately In all the glory of pale yellow
organdy, fair picture surely. In the
sight of all men. with her betrothed
beside her.
The girls stumbled through their
greetings and retired with precipitate
haste to the privacy Of the corner be-
hind the winding staircase. where
they chung together for some moments
speechless.
HE is nearly half head shorterl"
gasped Fanny. Then, jerking her
black and blue arm from Calls un-
consciously cruel grip.
"And he wears eye glasses and he
is getting fat and bald. and he is
every day OF forty-five." walled Hilda.
And he keeps hardware store,
Oh" moaned Hilda.
"But she loves himl" cried Gail in
vindieation.
Yes, she loves him" Fanny agreed.
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