The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-01-19
When Alec Was Married

Aces train was not due until mid
night 1 wanted TO walt up for him.
put ! was so sleepy at O'clock that /
minute. So / went to sather'a SoiIetop
desk and scrubbed this on a piece OF
paper: Dear Alec, be sure and stop
= AZ my room when you come I'm. Bob
Die" and fastened II with a wire hair
PIN onto the one light that 1 left burn
Alec is my next to Oldest brother. and
Isally the prop and stay OF the family
since rather died. for Tom. the oldest OF
haven't what you'd call small family.
SIsn Win snd mother and father gone. and
daughter at home SO GIo Ss1e son on and IND
OF managing the others. We're the best
Eorklng team l ever saw. There are
counts. and no mother since Ruth was
porn sixteen years ago, and no father
Eood Ins ia y , two years; and now, my
oe any business in the long brick fac
TORY with the big chimney and square
Tower founded and built by my father
before the memory OF any OF ua
, Tonight before going to my own room
= Went up and turned down Alec's bed.
eno then. because his third-fioor room
was so absolutely friEid. 1 filled the
a5ot-water bag and stuck II down un-
oerneath the sheets.
must have been sleeping very
soundly when he stole into my room at
ESQ / didn't know a thing until I
1eu his hand on my shoulder and heard
his gentle, Hello. Bobbiei' I WOKE mn
with a glad start and found him sitttng
on the side OF my bed. MY, what a
Sis spSr M ne e said. and leaned down and
1 knew from the first Whit that Alec
must have been sitting in the smoking
car, and drew a fine long breath be-
how beautifully New New YoP nCy@'% yoa
DO I. funny Bobbikins?" he laughed
AZ me- and at the sound of that name,
Enieh Alec had not called me for over
n A-NN -
through me. 1 sat up. Alec" Z said.
,y0uVe got good news 1 know it. /
de3 ~ all along. I knew fathers dear
had a feeling. this trip to New York
would be lucky one"
pthye been further than New York,
announced NNieS
ITO Palm Beach, Mercy Whatever
I'm simply crazy to hear ali about IT.
well he began. Say, Bobbikins.'
surprised to know that IL isWail riSbt
between Edith and meT'
..EdithY 1 CROPPED.
Yes, went on Alec gently, Edith
Campbell or course you have known 7
nave cared for no one else for the last
zen years. The business and our large
quite hopeless. But when I was in New
YORK 1 had common little picture
Beach. and your disgraceful old broth
er mere dropped everything and went
ooWn 70 Palm Beach. I was there for
week and she and her family and I
All came home together tonight after
Two rather nice days in New York She's
Bobbie. he tried to say lightly, buSt his
whole voice was exultinR. 'You see 1
mad TO come in and tell my partner
oldn II She would have to know first
piness" VI
why. Alexander Chenery varsy I
managed TO gasp, and then the horror
OF MS news flashed over me. The man
1 loved best in all the world had iust
10 a girl that / abhOrred! I wanted TO
scream. wanted to turn over on my
pillow and cry and cry and say, "Oh
90 away. go away, Alexander Vars
leave me alone. want TO die" ] said
instead. quite calmly. You engaged I?
10 Edith Campbell? Ny goodness. but
I'm surprised" and then. frightened bv
the choke In my voice, 1 switched on
onto something commonplace. Say.
enough Just removing your $50
pounds or my left foot there? You're
Jamming the bones out Of st."
Alec leaned forward and kissed me
hard. You little brick OF a Bobbie"
ne sad: Il knew you'd take IL like a
gulped down a disgusting sob. But
wasn't 1 the goose" hurried like mad
10 say. for ] was afraid I'd break down
eyes. Wasn't I the little goose TO
think IL was the business that made
you so happy2''
"Oh. the business Alec announced
Is pound TO succeed now. It"
sure, i broke in hastily "1ust