The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1914-01-01
FortuneHunting
Girls
BY HELEN CONSTABLE

1 JCAAS A"ANs " miss III NilOil ulcSScN.
was sitting by table studying her les
sons when she heard her mother and a
visitor, Mrs. Winston, talking in the
next room.
Malcolm writes me that he's coming
down for a week this fall to visit me. .
what can your nephew find to
amuse him i'll such quiet place as
this? There are 10 young men. and
as for girls, there are only a few in
short dresses
That's what he's coming for-tO get
rid Of the girls. They are worrying
the life out of the poor fellow trying to
marry him. You know, Malcolm has
Just come into fortune of four or five
hundred thousand dollars. He's hand
some as Il picture, was voted the most
popular man in his class while in col
lese and is highly intellectual"
Marjorie gasped at this catalogue of
attractions.
Dear me-" exclaimed Mrs. TAFT,
"how l should worry about him if he
were my son. The marrying age is
the most dangerous of all to a man."
by and by you'll have to worry
about Marjorie
Not for years. Marjorie has scarce
ly put away her dolls. Tell Malcolm
when he arrives to come and see U.s."
When Malcolm Wright came to town
he called at Mrs. Tait's. Mrs. TAFT
was taking a sieSta. and it required
some time for her to awaken and get
herself in proper costume to receive
visitors. Marjorie. who examined the
card as it was carried past her iii the
upper hall. ran down a back staircase.
seated herself before her study table
and began to repeat her lessons aloud ::
"AmO, l love; amas, thou lowest;
amat, he loves; amamus, We love: am
! ats, you love: amant, they love"
Mr.. Wright, hearing the Latin verb
ito love" corrugated by soft femi-
nine voice, arose from his chair and
| looked into the other room through
| the open door. He saw very pretty.
| innocent looking schoolgirl sitting be-
fore her books, apparently unconscious
of being observed. He listened to some
more self drilling. then gave an
"Ahemr'
Marjorie gave Il start so well feigned
that the young man did not doubt for
moment that it was caused by see
ing bin.
"Oh, dear,' she exclaimed
well, now, like that | find YOU
saying L love, you love. we love- and
OH seeing me you exclaim, oh. dearr
1 presume if you had finished it would
have been, oh, dear Malcolm Wright"
Il assure you'll was studying.
You were quiet. How long have you
been in the drawing room?'
Long enough to have sent my cal
to Mrs. TAFT, your mother, and been
waiting several minutes"
At this juncture Mrs. TAFT was heard
coming downstairs, and Mr.. Wright.
who had barely crossed the threshold,
stepped back in time to avoid appear
ing to have left the room. The lady
received him cordially, regretting that
she had not sons or daughters of an
age to help make his stay pleasant.
A day or two later Mr.. Wright. ap-
preaching Mrs. Tait's home, saw her
emerge from the house Marjorie saw
him from an upper window. He
mounted the steps and rang. Marjorie
opened the door.
Good morning. Is your mother at
home? No? How unlucky. Perhaps
you will permit me to come in for a
moment. l wish to leave a message
for her.
A month passed. Mr.. Wright re-
manned away from the many girls who
were trying to snare him. The route
past Mrs. Tait's house was his favor
lite walk, and whenever he was sure
Mrs. TAFT was not at home he called
and asked for her and was taken in
charge by Marjorie One evening he
called when he knew the mother was
at home.
"Why, Mr.. Wright the good lady
exclaimed, you here yet: What
dread you must have of the girls of
your home TO have kept away from
them so lOngr'
at is about Il girl of your home that
l have called to speak to you"
a girl of my hOmer'
Yes, your daughter, Miss Marjorie
l wish your permission to pay my ad.
dresses TO her. or. rather, your per
mission that We be engaged"
Mrs. TAFT gaped ut Mr.. Wright.
Il love her very dearly, and she
loves
what, that child!"
"She tells me she is nearly eighteen"
But how, when, where
Marjorie came up behind her mother
and put her arms about her.
81 heard all yOu and Malcolm's aunt
said about those hOrrid girls who We're
trying to catch him for his fortune.
and thought it a pity that they should
deceive so nice a man. He heard me /
conjugating the verb to love when |
he called on you, and somehow it af-
fected his brain. for
Mr. Wright took Marjorie away from |
her mother and, placing his own arm
about her, the two pleaded their cause |
together"
"Oh, it's all rightr' said the older |
lady Only l can't make out how |