Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-11-21

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but when he once decided to plunge ne
shuts his eyes and plunges.
Runnion. it has been said, had been
captiyated by Miss Wetherelfs will
lotyy figure. When she threw on her
rugs and arose from her steamer chair
TO go down to luncheon her figure did
not seem quite so willowy as when he
had first seen her. On several other
occasions during the voyage when she
was without wraps he noticed the
same thing. Every day the young lady
lost something of those lines OF figure
that had touched Runnion's fancy.
But her voice remained melodious and
her eyes soft. II one of her charms
was departing the other two remained.
A fish caught on hook is in differ
ent position from fish not caught on
a hook Runnion had got fairly start
ed on his matrimonial venture. and
little thing like his ladylove gaining
flesh was not SUFFICIENT to turn him
back.
Besides, suppose he did turn back?
There was the same lonely old age to
stare him in the face. II Miss Weth-
erell was daily getting fat he was daily
learning of some new charm in her.
What these charms really were he
didn't stop to inquire. Appealing to
the senses and to the reason are two
widely different matters. One may ap-
peal to the latter without affecting the
former, but If the former are touched
the latter goes mp in the air. Runnion
had been using his reason exclusively
with regard to women for twenty
years. Now he was giving his senses
chance.
The evening before making port Run
MON sat on deck with Miss Wetherell.
1t was October, but the air was not
yet cold. He did not intend to plunge,
but he plunged. Probably most-or at
any rate-many proposals are uninten-
tional The lady, however, held her
self more under control She said she
must take time to consider. She was
very young and marriage was the most
important step in woman's life. She
and told him that she would be pleased
to see him there He secured her con-
sent to his calling the next evening
after the arrival of the steamer
By morning the weather had changed
and it was quite cool. Miss Wetherell
when prepared to go ashore wore furs.
The last vcstige Of her willowy figure
had departed. But her voice was the
same and her eyes were the same. The
figure had done its work with Runnion
and was no longer necessary, especially
so long as the voice was melodlous and
the eyes languishing. He stood with
her In a corner, pressed her hand, and
said something to her in low voice
which made her droop her lids and
cover her eyes with her long lashes.
Then they parted. to meet the same
evening Runnion hurried on ahead,
desiring to get through some work at
his counting room before business
closed.
He went to his apartments In the
afternoon, dressed for the evening and
proceeded to his club to dine. Having
ordered his dinner he took up an even
| ing paper His eye was caught at
once by enormous letters announcing
| the arrival of the steamer In which
he had crossed the ocean and the arrest
of two women for smuggling
The article went on to say that a
Mrs. Wethereil and her daughter had
come over on the steamer, the mother
keeping her stateroom during the yoy-
age They had come ashore together,
and the customs officers noticing a
disproportion between their thin faces
and their rotund corporosities had or
dered that they be searched. Ten thou
sand dollars worth of expensive laces
had been found wound around each Of
them. Mrs. WethereIl, who was a
very thin woman, had kept out of sight
during the voyage in order that her
rotundity on leaving the steamer
should not attract attention.
The article went on to state that the
ladies were Vi b and eminently re-
| spectacle. A bond had been given by
| the husband and father for their APP
pearance in court to answer a charge
Of smuggling. and the accused had been
| released.
Il told you So" said Runnion to
himself Fool. Why did you go back
on what you have known for twenty
years?"~
He read the article again, noticing
| that the social position of the ladies
was excellent. Then 1t occurred to
him that the girl to whom he had
proposed and her mother had but fol
lowed natural law. They had done
that which the world does not consider
a sin-that is, when one is not caught.
Would it be the part of true man to
go back on his proposition?
/ The manliness In him conquered
The same evening he appeared at the
address that had been given him and
asked for Miss Wetherell. She came
down beaming.
81 knew voc would come she said
You have seen how mother and
were caughty'
Yes
| "And you are not frightened awayY'
mo"
Isn't it awful? We may have to 60
10 prison.
81 hope not"
| Her figure was again wiIlowy.
| Runnion left the house engaged. Re
turning to his room be mentally re
viewed his past matrimoniaI-yiews
Here I am" he said to himself
engaged to one who has deceived me
and, having broken the laws OF hel
country, is liable to go to jail. Never
theIess there is something about it al
thet | like. | have no desire to ~