The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-06-26


{, she was brought into contact and the
mother did not propose to take any
chances. Circumstances placed me un.
der the same roof with them for a
weeks vacation. and during that time
| was to be given no time to work up
love affair.
Helen was the most obedient. de-
mure, retiring creature in the world.
To look at her when her mother was
present-and she was always present
one wouldn't suppose butter would
melt In her mouth. The first evening
we were together the three Of US play
ed cards The second EVENING" was
out most of the day-the mother read
to US from-not love story. oh, no.
There was not a bit OF love In the
story, nor was 1t In Helen's and my
glances-that Is. we were unconscious
that it was What was read to us
was a report of missionary work in
India.
By the time the third evening came
around the lady. not having noticed
any evidences of interest between her
daughter and me, was content to &C.
cupying herself with some sewing and
permitted us to talk to each other. I
took up book from the table, near
which we all sat 1t was a work cali
ed Letters to Young People,"
glanced over few pages and spoke
of how helpful such book would be
to so many growing into manhood and
womanhood. entering upon the most
critical period of their lives without
the valuable experience of their elders.
In a letter upon obedience" / left
the imprint of my thumbnail upon the
two words sweet" and heart" and.
handing the book TO Helen, asked her
II she did not think the advice given
In the letter very well expressed. She
took the book and presently returned
1t to me open at letter on "Filial Re
sponsibllity." ! looked for thumbnaii
marks and found them. They read.
Am really that to your
The good mother sat quietly over her
work. well content with the way she
was keeping two tender vines from
INTERVIEWING. while we were writing
our cipher love messages They were
very short and very simple, nothing
like the protestations OF lovers in
books, but there was In them the very
honey of love for US. However, we
dared not work our scheme long lest
the watchers attention be excited. At
10 o'clock sharp Helen was ordered
up to bed and /. having no way to
amuse myself below. went to my
room.
sat up till midnight writing on the
backs of my visiting cards | had
with me. In letters large enough to be
read across a room. love messages to
be used the next evening. When that !
evening arrived and we assembled in
the library l said felt dull and would |
amuse myself with book. found
the best light behind the mother, |
though l faced the daughter We had /
scarcely got comfortably settled be-
fore l whipped out my cards and held
see it. Her bushes soon frightened
me off. however. butsnot before | had
the fact that ! would
love her for ever and ever and IL lost
her would perish.
found seven days quite enough to
arrange an elopement. During this
time / had never been alone with the
girl a minute and had never spoken
a word of love TO her. True. | had
once taken a fearful risk. When we
were passing out to dinner we drop
ped behind her mother. and | seized
The opportunity to take kiss. That
kiss, though hasty. was nectar for the
gods. the first sip of wine, the acme
Of bliss.
Well, the upshot of 1t all was that
ut the end of the week we were both
We went to a clergyman.
we're married and returned to my
wife's home. Her mother looked at US
N wonder. The first words she utter
ID were. How in the world did you do
he courtingg
She was obliged to make the best OF
t. The marriage turned out no worse
Ind no better than the majority. But
hat was luck.
Years after our marriage we con-
'essed to my mother-in-law how we :
lad begun our courtship by pressing
,ur thumb nails under the words to
make a message and continued it by
ny exhibiting cards-behind her back
With love words written on them.