Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01
THE EVENING STORY
WAYS AND WlLEs.
BY BELLE MANDATES.
Copyright, 1909, by Associated Lite,

IL heI SIlnoOQ NTS. Castles had
been known as Mistress Mary, quite
contrary" and her dominant character.
lstic was alluded to as winsome will.
fulness, but in later years it was call.
ed downright stubbornness and work.
ed havoc among her friends and fam,
NY Her son John was the only person
who knew how to win her cooperation
in any scheme
Mother" he said suddenly one dav,
don't you think it abominable for a
woman to place a young girl in an EN-.
barrassing position with malice afore.
thought"
why, what do you mean, John p
asked the warily non-committal
mother
oh, was just thinking of a CONVEX
saticn | overheard between Mrs. Gil
bert and friend of hers
What was it, John?"
Why, you see Ned Gilbert has some
friends here in the city the Alexar.
ders, who are very nice people, but not
quite in Mrs. Gilbert's set. At any
rate, she won't receive them nor call
upon them. They have girl visiting
them who lives in small western
town. Ned has been rather nice to
her and | overheard some woman
warning Ned's mother of the conse-
quences of his seeing so much of a
pretty, attractive girl. She smiled sar-
castically and said she would know
how to be diplomatic in such case.
She went on to say that she would
put the girl at disadvantage by in
wiling her to house party in couple
of weeks; that as she would lie entire
ly unused to the customs and forms of
society Ned would be ashamed of her
awkward mistakes and contrast her
clothes and manners with those of the
people he is accustomed to lilingle
with, and then his eyes would be
opened"
What contemplate trick'' was
the indignant comment. ut sounds lust
like Mrs. Gilbert. Have you seen the
girl John?"
Yes; ! was at the theatre the other
night and Ned took me to the Alexan,
der box and introduced me- Afterward
he took me with him to call. She is
a very beautiful girl. refined, cultured
and even accomplished. Her frocks
are simple and inexpensive, | admit
but in good taste and STYLE
Then Mrs. Gilbert will be foiled in
her scheme. The girl will appear at
an advantage after all"
Maybe, replied John, doubtfully
Still, things might occur to make her
ill at ease. | wonder-you don't mag
inc Mrs Gilbert would be equal to
making awkward situations for the
girl deliberately, do your
Yes: of course she would She
would do anything to gain her ends. |
have half notion to help poor Ned
and the girl out. What is her name
and where is she from?"
Virginia Orme and Enderby, Wis,
consin, is her home, believe"
why, l went to school with q girl
whose name was Virginia and who
married man named Orme. She was
in Wisconsin, too | wonder if this is
her daughter?"
''Tll tell Ned to ask her If you like
was the careless rejoinder.
mo; III go and call upon her my
self. l have thought for long time
I should call upon Mrs Alexander
Mrs. Gilbert is altogether too exclusive
-snobbish, l call it,
John took UP the paper languidly
and his mother proceeded to put her
purpose into execution. She returned
from her visit excited and elated.
she is the daughter of my old
school friend, and she is a charming
girl She told me that Mrs. Gilbert
bad asked her to go to the Moors to a
house party in two weeks, but she
hot rI 7
saw that she was little nervous at
the thought OF going among SO many
strangers, and SO IL hope you won't
be displeased, John-invited her here
to stay until we go to the Moors.'
"Oh," said John, Il don't know that
mind but am afraid you viii be
bored"
mo. indeed. / will not. and she will
meet most of the party before she
goes to the Moors and will not feel SO
strange. Id like to see Mrs. Gilbert
attempt to put my guest at disad,
vantage. 1t will be q checkmate for
her"
And godsend to Ned He won't
go to the Moors until we do, I'm think.
ing
The following day Virginia arrived
She was tall, slender girl with dark
eyes. a girlish manner and charming
disposition that soon endeared her to
her mothers old school friend
Ned dropped in frequently. but pres
emily Mrs. Castles began to view his
coming with disfavor.
Virginia is far superior 70 him, for
all his wealth" she protested q
should be proud to own her as my own
daughter-in-law," with a significant
glance at her imperyious son.
Il would not cut Ned out. He is
too good friend was his laughing
reply.
They are not engaged. She doesn't
care at all for him."
What makes you think so?"
81 asked her, and she admitted that
she didn't care for him
When she sees the beautiful Moors
maybe she will change her mind
She isn't the kind to be tempted by
such things. John, you are cold blood.
ed and lacking in judgment if you