The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-11-22
A MOTHERS
RUSE
By HELOiSE BRAYTON

sumo that you would tell me- But ]
wish to know surely whether you are
or are not
II am not replied Amy dolefully.
THAT evidently means that Walter
hasn't spoken"
81 think he will, mamma"
Not without being brought to the
point"
Mamma. you wouldn't wish me to
tell him that l am expecting him 70
propose to me. would your
Certainly not That would not be-
the part of a girl But a girl has her
privileges. and one of them is to indi
cate to young pIan paying her atten-
ton that she wishes him to discon
time doing So
But don't"
The mother bit her lip. but said
nothing more. Nevertheless she deter
mined that since her daughter bad not
the spunk TO bring her lover to Il pro
posal she would make the attempt her
self To interfere in such matter is
always 2 great risk. and the lady real
lied that by doing so she might make
a breach between herself and her
daughter that might never he healed
But Mrs StringfelIow was naturally
diplomatic and determined that she
would pursue little game Of her own
which might mean great deal or
might mean nothing.
Not long after this little dialogue
Mrs. StringfellOw arranged that Amy
should go away on visit Amy Oh
jected. not being willing to leave Wal
ter even for day. though she did not
see him oftener than once a week But
the mother prevailed. and Amy de
parted with fear and trembling that
the man she wanted would during her
absence fall into the tolls of some other
girl.
One day during Amy's absence Wal
ter Barnard called upon her mother 20
pay his respects and ask how her
daughter was enjoying herself He
was uShered into the library. where
he usually visited with Amy On the
table lay bill from prominent dry
goods store. 1t was so plainly exposed
that the caller could not help seeing it,
but he did not make himself acuuaint-
cd with its contents till an unrolled
package on chair attracted his atten
ton 1t was white and of a delicate
fabric. Near it was a box. in which
some white gauZy substance so loosely
rested that Il part hung over the side
There WAS still another box with the
cover on
Barnard while waiting for Mrs
Stringfellow had nothing to occupy
him. SO his mind became fixed on these
articles. He examined the fabric. and
it seemed to him TINT there WAS about
enough of it to make dress Then
it occurred TO him that the gauzy stuff
might BIZ intended for brides veil
Having gone thus far in his surmiseS
he was naturally curious to know what
was in the covered box He lifted the
cover and saw that it was filed with
orange blossoms.
Evidently some one was about to be
married
But who! There was only one single
woman in fhe house. and that was
Amy.
A terrible thought entered the young
mans brain Could it be possible that
while he hail been putting off his nro
posal some other man had come in and
occupied the vacant place ahead of
him? His heart seemed to stop beat
inc Precipitation stood ont on his fore
head
He paced the floor till Mrs String |
fellow came down When she saw the |
a maid and directed Der in a sharp |
tone to take them upstairs Then she |
turned her attention TO her visitor.
Barnard was too Disconnected to talk |
onnectedly. He jumped from the
warm weather to the news from
broad and from the news from abroad /
% the last bit of social gossip Then !
le asked if Miss SCringfellow WAS en-
Toying her visit and was informed that |
she WAS having delightful time. He
iSiied when the young lady would re-
urn. and his hostess informed him
hat certain events that had happened
since her departure would necessarily
liter the time of her homecoming. but
Id not say whether il would be has
ened or delayed.
Two Or three times Barnard was on
he verge Of asking whether Amy was
'hout To be- married. but every time he
Jalked. Once he got his question part
7 out. but Mrs. StrinCfeIIow looked at
lin SO cOld!y that be turned the qUes
ion into something else Finally he
rose to go. stumbled against o chairs
'ack or against an open door. dropped
lis hat and stepped on it finally get.
ing out in great confusion.
That night he slept only a few hours
md in the morning took an early train
or the place where Amy Strinrfellov
vas visiting She was much surpris
d al seeing him and waited for him u
leclare the Object of his coming
Are rou going TO be married:' he
sked in tone To warrant that if she
we're he was ready TO kill the groom