Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-11-27
FortuneHuntinq
Girls
b. HELEN CONSTABLE

was sitting Oy taDie StuuyAuS ucE ICE
sons when she heard her mother and .
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 in such quiet place az
this? There are no young men, and
as for girls. there are only 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 Ave
hundred thousand dollars. He's hand
some as picture. was voted the most
popular man in his class while In col.
Iege and is highly intellectual"
Marjorie gasped at this catalogue of
attractions.
Dear me-" exclaimed Mrs. TAFT
"how l should worry about him If he
the most dangerous of all to man."
by and by you'll have to worry
about Marjorie"
mot for years. Marjorie has scarce
~ put away her dolls. Tell Malcolm
when he arrives to come and see us"
When Malcolm Wright came to town
he called at Mrs. Tait's. Mrs. TAFT
was taking u 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 1t was carried past her in the
upper hall, ran down 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 feni-
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
"Ahem!
Marjorie gave start so well feigned
that the young man did not doubt for
moment that 1t was caused by see.
ing him.
"Oh. dear!" she exclaimed.
"Well, now, ! like that! find you
saying I love. you love. we love- and
on seeing me you exclaim, oh. dear.
l presume II you had finished it would
have been, oh. dear Malcolm Wright "
II 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 bis 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 n
moment. l wish to leave 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
ut home
"Why. Mr.. Wright" the good lady
exclaimed. you here yet? What a
dread yon must have of the girls of
your home to have kept away from
them so lons.'
ut Is about girl of your home that
| have called to speak to you"
"A girl of my home..'
"Yes. 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 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.
Il heard all you and Malcolm's aunt
said about those horrid girls who were
trying to catch him for his fortune.
and thought 1t a pity that they should
deceive so nice q man. He heard me
conjugating the verb to love- when