Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-12-19
CHOOSING A
BRAVE HUSBAND
Romantic Girls Method OF
Testing Her Lovers.

Marion Martin would marry none but
a brave man. She. had plenty of suit
Ors. but since there were no evidences
of their courage she would not have
any of them. Finally, fearing that she
would die an old maid. she determined
to accept John Knowlton. fine look.
ing fellow. standing six feet two in his
stockings. provided he would submit
himself to test. The next time John
came begging her to marry him she
told him that she would do so upon his
giving practical evidence that he was
no coward. He consented, and Marion
told him to spend night in the FAM
lily vault in the cemetery. John did
not feel overpleased at being called
upon to submit to such an ordeal. but
he went with Marion to the cemetery.
which was near by. and she let him
into the vault.
Marion had no idea Of leaving her
lover to endure his watch unmolested.
She had other lovers. who were to par.
ticipate in the trial Of courage. Ed.
ward Larned. a clipper little fellow
who was always spelling for fight,
called on her by appointment as soon
as she got home and was told to win"
sheet about him and walk all night
back and forth past the family vault.
grooming at intervals. II he held his
ground till morning Marion would be
his. Larned accepted the terms joy
fully and. taking sheet. went to the
cemetery
He had not been long gone when
third lover. Ernest Trevor. appeared at
the Martin home.
What is it. Marion?' he asked.
II have called for you to give you an
answer to what you said to me on
Christmas eve last"
"Wel?"
81 like you well enough to marry you
If you will prove your courage Go tc
our family vault in the cemetery. You
will find it unlocked. Enter and re-
main there all night"
II will do no snch thing"
Are you afraid!"
mo. There would be nothing for me
to fear. but such an act would he sense
less"
VERY well: there are others whom I
can marry who will not give such n
weak excuse to conceal their real mo
tive--fear."
you say that: Ry lingo. | will show
you that | am not afraid to stay in
your vault Put understand that ! re-
linquiSh your hand"
Trevor went home for some blankets,
thence to the cemetery. musing as he
went: "Wlmt Il silly girl. | thought
she had more sense Nevertheless,
now am in for it. | am rather pleased
at the prospect of an adventure. Life
Is pretty dull in this old town"
Before he reached the vault he espied
ghostly figure walking back and
forth before 1t and heard groans
what little goose the girl is to put
man in sheet to guard the place!
Well. I'm in for 1t. must drive the
fellow away or get laughed at in the
morning"
Just as he was about to advance upon
Larned the gate of the vault opened.
and figure dashed out and away
with the rapidity of lightning.
The ghost after stopping to look at
the flying figure. renewed its walk and
its groans.
II don't propose to come out at the
tail Of this business" Ernest said.
i've agreed to occupy the vault, and
| can't sleep with that fellow making
those unearthly groans all night. Ell.
Their he or must move on"
Larned suddenly received a blow in
the back which landed him dozen
feet away on the gravel walk Before
he could get up he was knocked down
again and again till finally. regaining
his feet. he fled precipitately.
Now think | will turn in" said
Ernest. and. going to the vault. he en-.
tered and. spreading on the floor the
blankets he had brought with him.
sprawled himself on them and was
soon sound asleep.
Marion arose early and went to the
cemetery Her heart was beating very
fast with expectation. and she was i'm.
patient to know whether the splendid
John Knowton had proved himself a
brave man As she approached the
vault and saw no one walking before it
she knew that I.arnpd ut least had not
won. Going nearer. she stopped and