The Red Cloud chief., 1913-07-17
ROMANCE TO ORDER
Why Barbara Was Married In
the Old Blue Gingham
Affair.
BY SUSANNA GLENN.

not to know who It was coming along
the road behind her. but she did not
turn until Clark Townsend drew up
and called cheerfully: Let me take
you home. Barbara?"
II did not know you would care
to, Clark" she hesitated, flushing.
'Of course | care to-" he said. lift.
Ing her In carefully and gathering up
the reins again.
For q time there was silence save
for Lucys feet on the soft wood road.
The girl was evidently too Ill at ease
to speak.
Il have you In trap at last. haven't
II" the man smiled, covering her cold
little hand with his big warm one.
And I'm not going to let you go.
Barbara. until you tell me what It has
all been about"
What do you mean?" asked Bar
bara.
II guess you know what l mean.
What happened all Of q sudden that
you should send me this?" He took
carefully from an inner pocket fold
ed paper out of which something
dropped that shone In the twilight.
How do you suppose felt to see my
girl running round with that artist
chap? really think that deserve
better explanation than have had"
"Oh. Clark" she walled suddenly.
you debut I'm afraid | cannot make
you understand. l--just couldn't mar.
ry your"
"Of course not, Barby dear. II you
did not love me enough. But though
you did thought-well. never mind.
What came up. anyway"
"Nothing-that is the trouble.
could not endure 1t! Nothing hap
pened to me, no experiences like 9th.
er girls have. People have told me
since / was q child that I ought to
marry Clark Townsend. When l told
mother we were engaged, she said,
Why. Of course. I've known It this
long time I've got everything plan
ned about the wedding and your
housekeeping. had been 80 happy
before told her. but after that cried
myself to sleep-you couldn't know
about that, Clark. But that was the
beginning"
mo, l did not know" Clark admit.
ted.
Everybody knew. before we did
ourselves, that we ought to be mar
ried at Christmas 80 that Brown could
move OF your place the first Of jan
uary. And they knew we would spend
our honeymoon with your sister Grace
in Plainsboro., planned out the dear
est kitchen all buff and blue, but when
l mentioned It mother insisted moth
ing was SO good as drab. and settled
the matter by getting me a set oi
those wretched gray cooking things
that I've always despised.
Il do not know what you will think
Of me. Clark. but that is the truth
about It! 1t seemed as II I just
couldn't endure ito be married &C
cording to rule. and Just to settle dowr
afterward and live by rule. I've lived
1t means-I didn't dare try to endure
IT."
But that doesn't explain that artist
fellow that has hung round you al
! summer. Does he fili the bill bettel
than l did, Barbara?"
There has been this one comfort
at least, no one has known what Il
, expect. And mother has been fu
rious!"
, Young Townsend watched the cir
-. hurry up the path to the side door o.
? the big farmhouse with whimsical
smile. Yes. he could see how her ex
lstence had been depressingly matter
, of.fact for romantic young thini
like Barbara Shepard. The unlovel!
severity of the comfortable house tolt
, Its own story; Its exterior prepared
one for a drab kitchen with gra!
, utensils.
Lucy" he said. shaking the REIN
afiectionately over the sleek back o
/. his favorite gray. that child Is long
ing for romance in her gray little life
, and / take 1t. it's up to US to produc'
, the goods!"
"Barbary." said Farmer Shepar,
next morning, looking severely at hi
. pretty daughter. didn't l see Clarl
. Townsend's gray mare out here b.
, our gate last night?"
|
!. brought me home from the Pin,
road"
a "Well. I don't want to see him her
!. again. do you understand" with ris
r ing irritation.
!. why. Hiram" expostulated hi
4 wife. are you crazy? There amt
a nicer young man anywhere round thai
I Clark"
"Just the same I'm not going 4
!. have him hanging round Barbary. AM
!. l want you both to understand It,"
> "Then you'd better tell him so
: yourself" retorted that young person
4 Indignantly. II certainly shall not"
!. Il have told him. young lady.
, roared her irate parent. land now In
= telling you! And l want this the las
: word on the subject. You and Clar