Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-01-14
Fortune Hunting
Girls
By HELEN CONSTABLE

Marjorie TAFT, miss in short dresses,
was sitting by table studying her les
sons when she heard her mother and
visitor, Mrs. Winston, tnlking in the
next room.
MALCOLM writes me that he's coming
down for week this fall to visit me-"
What can your nephew find to
amuse him in such quiet place as
this? There are no 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 picture, was voted the most
popular man in his class while in col
lege and is highly intellectual"
Marjorie gasped at this catalogue of
attractions.
show I 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
~ 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 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 in the
upper hall, ran down a back staircase,
seated herself before her study table
and began to repeat her lessons aloud:
| "Amo, I 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 a 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
"Ahemv
Marjorie gave a start so we'll feigned
that the young man did not doubt for
a moment that it was caused by see
ing him.
"Oh, dear!' she exclaimed.
well, now, l like that! I find you
saying I love, you love, we love- and
presume if you had finished it would
have been. oh, dear Malcolm Wrightr -
81 assure you'll was studying.
You were quiet. How long have you
been in the drawing room?"
Long enough to have sent my card
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 he1
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 al
home? No? How unlucky! Perhaps
you will permit me to come in for q
moment. [ wish to leave d message
for her."
A month passed. Mr.. Wright re
NAMED away from the many girls who
were trying to snare him. The route
past Mrs. Taits 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 be
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 long,!
ct is about girl Of your home tina
I have called to speak to you"
"A girl of my homer
Eyes, your daughter, Miss Marjorie
wish your permission to pay my ad
dresses to her. or. rather. your per
mission that we be engaged"
Mrs. TAFT gaped at Mr.. Wright.
II love her very dearly, and sh,
loves
what. that child?'
"She tells me she is nearly eighteen
"But how, when. where
Marjorie came up behind her mothe
and put her arms about her.
Il heard all you and Malcolm's aun
said about those horrid girls who wer
trying to catch him for his fortune
and thought it pity that they shout,