The Ordway new era., 1913-03-21
MISS PECKHAM'SBEAU
sy sLAncHE HAaPta

etoun0 tno OEiu8o AUo'
you don't say so!" exclaimed Ara.
Holman. who ID he!"
.'The new boarder." replied Nh.
| Bennett. Hes the tall young man
| who sits At the middle table. He took
Q great fancy to Miss Peckham the
|. very day he came. I'm so glad Miss
| Peckham il one OF the dnest women
at the Brownstone, and 1t certainly ID
. shame that she never had . beau
before"
Never had beau!"
"Never!" repeated Mrs. Bennett.
impressively. "She admitted It 70
me in confidence ono day. intend
to help her along all can. and see
that she lands Mr. Weed. for she de-
serves a good husband"
II should say she does!" agreed
one of the other women. Lets all
put in a good word for her; and then
II she doesn't land him 1t won't be
our fault"
That evening after dinner Mrs.
Bennett was sitting on the front
porch Of the Brownstone alone when
young Weed made his appearance.
Good evening. Mr.. Weed" chirp-
ed the gopher eyed Mrs. Bennett
"How do you like the Brown
stone?"
Very much indeed. Mrs. Bennett.
The food is good and dnd the peo-
pie pleasant"
I'm SO glad to hear you say so.
Mr.. Weed. I've lived Here four years,
and 1 am very fond Of all the people
here. especially the young ladies. We
have such lovely young ladies' here.
don't you think so?"
"Yes. yes. indeed" young Weed re-
piled nervously. A bachelor can never
be too wary.
II think Miss Peckham il an espe-
cially fine girl" Mrs. Bennett went
on. "She is perfectly splendid and
she makes the best things In . chahng
dish you ever tasted"
Mrs. Bennett glanced out Of the cor
ner of her alert brown eyes to see
the effect her speech was having upon
young Weed. He was plainly moved.
for he fingered his cane nervously and
hurried down the steps, murmuring
something about an engagement.
The next morning Mrs. HOlmeB mat
young Wotu IL Tue AdlA Ou uA1 WY W
breakfast.
Good morning. Mr.. Weed. Lovely
morning, isn't it,"
Fine. fne," agreed young Weed.
standing politely aside for A Mrs.
Holman to pass, but that designing
person moved not at all.
"Too bad this isn't holiday. II
would be such lovely morning to
play golf You know. Miss Peckham 4
Is an expert golfer, and you should
challenge her to game some nne j
morning"
"Yes?" spoke young Weed. inauir.
ingly. reddening tribe. Il am Got
much Of golfer myself"
Then you should have Miss Peck
ham take you In hand and teach you"
insisted Mrs. Holman. I'm sure she
would love to. She Is SO accommodate
ing! And she has such perfect dis
position! Really, Mr.. Weed you should
know her better"
Young Weed succeeded in driving
Mrs. Holman before him to the break
fast room, where she beamed at him
from her table across the room all
through the meal.
AS young Weed stopped at the mail
box in the hall Mrs. Adams sailed
down the front stairs, elbows waving.
Looking for love letter, Mr.. Weedr"
she bantered gayly.
mot this morning. Mrs. Adams. No
such good luck for me. Haven't got
. girl. you know" He smiled at her
unsuspiciously.
well, now, that's too bad. Mr..
Weed. A man with your good looks
should not have any trouble finding
girl II you want any help. just let
me know. know of one not very far
away. She is dear. and I'm sure you
would like her very much II you knew
her better. There! I've let the cat
out Of the bag. for you do know her
already. Really. Mr. Weed" she went
on confidentially. Miss Peckham II
one of the most charming girls at the
Brownstone. And SO versatile! She /
can do anything-cook, sew, sing. con-
verse intelligently, do anything.
Really, you should cultivate her &C.
quaintance I'm sure you two would
be very congenial."
Young Weeds hair fairly stood
MP with alarm As he> hurried away.
Evidently there was . combination
to snare him.
The next afternoon Miss Peckham
sat on the porch reading. She was
entirely unconscious Of the havoc
that had been wrought BY her well
meaning friends. She looked up in
surprise as young Weed came out on
the porch, suitcase in hand, his long.
pointed nose stabbing the atmosphere
before him. Having scented danger.
he was making Ills retreat. He started
slightly as he spied Miss Peckham and
took a firmer grip upon his suitcase.
''Why, Mr.. Weed, are you leaving
usf" she inquired. turning her round.
surprised eyes ON the suitcase.