The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-06-06
Miss Whitcomb' S
Association
Bv ESTHER VANDEVlER

Miss BonfeId, lady of tifty-two' sui
handsome. fer tiorid complexion con
,rasting with her white hair. was SIT
ting in her boudOir one morning Wheh
she received II card bearing the name
of Eben Farnsworth. In corner oil
the card was written, Miss Nhltcollo >
Association
Miss Whitcomb, not having had any
experience in matrimony herself sur
prsed her friends by organizing an as
ISOLATION for the promotion OF matrl,
monv among those who had passed.
the heydey of youth. Her plan was 10
introduce the men members to the Wo-
men, not in assembly, but by sending
the men to call on the women. she
would suggest to certain man 10 can
on certain woman. All he had to 90
by way of introduction was to write
Miss Whitcomb's Association on MS
card
This plan gave great success to the
association. Miss Whitcomb knew that
elderly persons could not be got out IN
assembly for such a purpose, but she
also knew that any lonely unmarried
man would he pleased to meet any ul-
married woman with view to malFI'
mony. BY call neither party would
he observed by others or would he sub
iect to rdiculc IT must he admitted
that the organizer was very shrcwd.
Miss Ronficd looked at the card
which was handed to her by her mald
for some time. during which thoughts
seemed to be cOursinG through her
brain. Then she told her maid 10 tell
the gentleman that she would he down
presently. In this case presently meant
half an hour, for Miss BuniipId chang
ed her costume and had her hair done
in n different style. When she took
last look at herself in mirror fhe had
reason to he well satisfied
Mr.. Farnsworth was fifty-five, well
preserved man of digniied appearance
and old style in manner. He arose at
Miss Bonfed's entrance, made a court
~ bow and said:
"lTaving placed ourselves in Miss
WhtcombS hands. madam nothing re
mains for us to do but abide by those
arrangements that have been made for
us. Therefore ! take it for granted
that no apology is necessary. 1t gives
me great pleasure to make your ac-
Quaintance, madam"
81 approve" replied the lady. "of
Miss Whitcomb'S idea, and she has
shown great delicacy in carrying it
out l have joined the association
rather for the purpose of supporting
the-ahpm
81 understand You perfectly. 1t is
not necessary for you to join a matri
mOnial association for the purpose Of
being married yourself, but YOU APP
prove of its object and have given it
your patronage by becoming a men,
Der"
I'm my own individual case there is
a special reason for not caring to mar
ry. | am going to confess to You that
| suffered Il disappointment in my
youth
Some unworthy scamp, l suppose,
tritied with
mot ut all. He was a young man
Of great promise and, | understand. has
turned out remarkably well. 1t was
who was at fault. | was young fool
iSh and infatuated with the game Of
love | reioiccd in torturing my lover
and finally, by pretending dissatisfac-
ton with him, drove him away"
Il dare say that many members Of
our association have had the same ex.
perience. | myself in my youth loved
a beautiful and accomplished girl. We
quarreled. 1t is the Mdy's privilege
after a quarrel TO await the coming of
the man with the olive branch. | WAS
too proud to offer it,"
The lady was silent for few mo-
ments, then said: Il doubt if YOU can I
undo at this late date what has been
done. Even if you should meet the
girl who possessed your heart when
you were young she would not be the
same to You as if YOU and she had
grown old together. You must remrm-
Der that she would now be, suppose,
over fifty years of age"
Just tifty-two, madam"
You seem TO have kept everything
her in your memory"
Il have. She was exactly five feet
seven inches in height. tall and stately.
slightly taller than you, though much
lighter in weight. Her hair was u love |
y chestnut.
1T would now be mixed with white"
Her name was Mary Pauline. |
allied her Marie. Her last name WAS
~ the by, there is a singular coinct-
ience between you and her | noticed
when Miss Whitcomb gave me vonr
lame and address. You are Miss Bon
led, | believe"
The lady did not reply. She was raz-
hg at vacancy, and it seemed that if
ne could look through her eye into her
rain he could see the vision she saw.
Am | MISTAKEN" asked Mr. Farms
worth.
NO; my name is Mary Pauline Bon.
eld."
Marie! You Marie?"