The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-07-09
A MOTHERS
RUSE
By HELOISE BRAYTON

|
Amy said Mrs. Stringfellow to her
daughter, walter Barnard has been
paving attention to you now for six
months. If you were engaged pre-
sumo that you would tell me- But I
wish to know surely whether you are
Or are not"
II am not" replied Amy dolefully.
'That evidently means that Walter
hasn't spoken"
II think he will, mamma"
mot without being brought to the
point"
Mamma, you wouldn't wish me to
tell him that l am expecting him to
propose to me, would you?"
"Certainly not That would not be
the part Of a girl. But girl has her
privileges, and one Of them is to indi-
cate to young man paying her atten-
ton that she wishes him to discon-
Hnue doing So"
"But l don't"
The mother bit her lip, but said
nothing more. Nevertheless she deter
mined that since her daughter had not
the spunk to bring her lover to pro-
posal she would make the attempt her
self TO interfere in such matter is
always great risk, and the lady real
lied that by doing so she might make
a breach between herself and her
daughter that might never be healed.
But Mrs. Stringfellow was naturally
diplomatic and determined that she
would pursue a little game of her own
which might mean great deal or
might mean nothing.
Not long after this little dialogue
Mrs. Stringfellow arranged that Amy
should 60 away on visit Amy OBJ
jected, not being willing to leave Wal
ter even for day, though she did not
see him oftener than once week. But
the mother prevailed, and Amy de-
parted with fear and trembling that
the man she wanted would during her
girl.
One day during Amy's absence Wal
ter Barnard called upon her mother to
pay his respects and ask how her
daughter was enjoying herself. He
was ushered into the library, where
he usually visited with Amy. On the
table lay bill from prominent dry
goods store. 1t was so plainly exposed
that the caller could not help seeing 1t.
but he did not make himself acQuNint-
ed with it's contents till an unrolled
package on a chair attracted his atten-
ton. 1t was white and Of delicate
fabric. Near it was a box, in which
some white gauzy substance so loosely
rested that a part hung over the side,
There was still another box with the
cover on.
Barnard while waiting for Mrs.
StringfellOw had nothing to occupy
him. so his mind became fixed on these
articles. He examined the fabric, and
it seemed to him that there was about
enough Of it to make a dress. Then
it occurred to him that the gauzy stuff
might De intended for brides veil.
Having gone thHs far IN his surmises.
he was naturally curious to know what
was in the covered box. He lifted the
cover and saw that it was filed with
orange blossoms.
Evidently some one was about to be
married ..
But who? There was only one single
woman in the house. and that wHS
Amy
terrible thought entered the young
mans brain. Could it be possible that
while he had been putting of his pro
posal some other man had come in and
occupied the vacant place ahead Of
ing. Perspiratial stood out on his fore
head.
He paced the floor till Mrs. String
fellow came down. When she saw the
dry goods she looked displeaspd. called
a maid and directed her in a sharp
tone to take them upstairs Then she
turned her attention to her visitor.
Barnard was too disconnected to talk
He jumped from the
warm weather to the news from
abroad and from the news from abroad
to the last bit of social gossip. Then
he asked If Miss Stringfellow was en-
joying her visit and was informed that
she was having a delightful time He
asked when the young lady would re-
turn. and his hostess informed him
that certain events that had happened
since her departure would necessarily
alter the time of her homecoming, but
did not say whether it would be has
tened or delayed
Two or three times Barnard was on
the verge of asking whether Amy was
about to be married. but every time he
baked. Once he got his question part