The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-08-28
Miss Whitcomb's
Association
by ESTHER VANDEVlER

MISS DOllllciO, u AouS ~ - ~ =" W o~~-'
handsome, her forid complexion con.
trasting with her white hair, was SIT
ting in her boudoir one morning when
she received n card bearing the name
Of Eben Farnsworth. In corner OF
the card was written, Miss Whitcombs
Association"
Miss Whitcomb, not having had any
experience in matrilnony herself, sur.
prised her friends by organizing an as
ISOLATION for the promotion Ut matri-
mony among those who had passed
the heydey Of youth. Her plan was to
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 a certain man to call
on a certain woman. All he had to do
by way OF introduction was to write
miss Whitcomb's Association on bis
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 be pleased to meet any un-
married woman with view to matrl-
mony. BY call neither party would
be observed by others or would be sub
iect to ridicule. 1t must be admitted
that the organizer was very shrewd.
Miss Bonfie!d looked at the card
which was handed to her by her maid
for some time, during which thoughts
seemed to be coursing through her
brain. Then she told her maid to tell
the gentleman that she would be down
presently. In this case presently meant
half an hour. for Miss Bonfield chang
ed her costume and had her hair done
in different style. When she took a
last look at herself in mirror she had
reason to be well satisfied.
Mr.. Farnsworth was fifty-f1ve. a well
preserved man Of dignified appearance
and old style In manner. He arose at
Miss Bonf1eld's entrance, made q court
~ bow and said:
"Having placed ourselves in Miss
Whitcomb's hands, madam, nothing re-
mains for US to do but abide by those
that have been made for
us. Therefore take It for granted
that no apology is necessary. 1t gives
me great pleasure to make your &C.
mudam."
II approve" replied the lady, "of
Miss Whitcombs idea, and she has
shown great delicacy fh carrying 1t
out. I have joined the association
rather for the purpose Of supporting
II understand you perfectly. It 10
not necessary for you to Join a matri-
monial association for the purpose Of
being married yourself, but you ap-
prove Of its object and have given 1t
your patronage by becoming q men,
bsr."
I'm my own individual case there is
4 special reason for not caring to mar
~. I am going to confess to you that
I suffered a disappointment in my
youth"
"Some unworthy scamp, ! suppose,
trided with
Not at all. He was young man
Of great promise and, I understand, has
turned out remarkably well. It was
l who was at fault. was young, fool
ish and infatuated with the game Of
love. l rejoiced in torturing my lover
and finally, by pretending dissatisfac-
ton with him, drove him away"
II dare say that many members Of
our association have had the same ex-
perience. l myself In my youth loved
a beautiful and accomplished girl We
quarreled. 1t is the lady's privilege
after quarrel to await the coming Of
the man with the olive branch. was
too proud to offer it."
The lady was silent for a few mo-
ments, then said: x doubt If you can
undo at this late date what has been
done. Even II 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 remem-
Der that she would now be, l suppose,
over fifty years of age"
Just fifty-two, madam"
''You seem to have kept everything
concerning her in your memory
II 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 love-
" chestnut.
1T would now be mixed with white"
"Her name was Mary Pauline. I
called her Marie. Her last name was
BY the by. there Is singular coinci'
dence between you and her. ! noticed
It when Miss Whitcomb gave me your
name and address. You are Miss Bon
field, I believe"
The lady did not reply. She was gaz-
ing at vacancy, and 1t seemed that II
one could look through her eye into her
brain he could see the vision she saw.
"Am mistakenly" asked Mr.. Farms.
worth.
mo; my name is Mary Pauline Bon.
field"
"Marie! You Mar1e?"
Eyes; you have not recognized me ~
| I have recognized you. Had not your
name been brought to me on your card