The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-12-25
ev SARAH BAXTER

Mathews0n had met the surprise OF
his life. What was her object u ap
pr0priating MIN thus he could not dt.
vine, but hs was not minded to throw
. straw In the way Of anything she
might intend. Being q man OF the
world. we'll bred man. q considerate
man. be manifested no surprtse; neither
did he presume upon an acquaintance
that was not his.
"You are quite right about the cir
In there being st1ding." he said RI
was thinking OF getting ont OF It my.
seif."
This commonplace remark seemed tc
put the lady at her ease. and, guid.
Ing her companion into q cosy NOOK
where they were not likely to bs In
terrupted, she c0nversed not In the bits
OF nothing to be expected. but gradually
led the way into topics of interest.
Mathewson spent a charming half
hour. expecting the while that the lady
before parting with him would make
known her reason for having appr0-
prtated him. But presently an old lady
came and remarked, II have been look
ing everywhere for you," ana the
younger woman, arising, nodded TO
Mathewson, and the two ladies walked
away together.
Later Mathswson pointed out the
lady who had appropriated him. ask.
Ing who she was, and was told that
she was Mrs. Olcott. Having ex.
pressed isappointment his compan.
ion remarked:
"She's a mtssus. but not married
she's divorcee"
"Do you know herr' asked Mathew.
son.
II do"
'~rhen iESroSUcs rss."
There was no opportunity at the
time. for the lady. together With the
elderly woman who had Joined Der,
was going upstairs preparatory TO leav.
Ing the honse.
A few days later Mathewson met
Mrs. Olcott at another function. She
passed him in company with Others
but did not look at him. At this he
was not surprised. Having an appoint
ment to call upon her the next evening
with the friend who was to Introduce
him. he found her kindly disposed
but, though he sat with her for some
time, she made no mention Of the mat
ter Of Der appropriation OF him. She
discussed any subject that Mathews0u
proposed or toward which he led the
way; but although he several dmes
gave her an opportunity to explain why
she had used him, she refrained truU
an explanation.
Whether It was the lady's personality
or the mystery attending their trsl
meeting. II was not long before he wal
enthrailed. She accepted hts attentions
not with the tickieness Of young girl
but with the experience Of one who
had been married. Mathewson. at mrs
having a knowledge that she had beeI
wife. was somewhat chury ot tailini
IN love with her, for no argued that 4
one man c0nid not live with ner pos
sibiy another might ind It difficult
But after awhile ne cast precaauon Il
the winds, threw up hts hands ana wal
ready TO marry ner " she were devt
IN human shape
There II Uut ono ending to stOry
wherein It's hero u Dadly In love. III
proposes ana IL either accepted OF re
jected- II ne Ia re1steO the stor!
ends nowhere; U accepted. In marriage
Msthewson was accepted.
"And aOw.' he said to mis- dancee. :"
suppose Il u In order for inc to asl
why you saw dt on certain evening
when y0n and I stV0d side Dy side
utter strangers. t0 put your hand ol
my arm and lead ms away a. u ",
were arQuainted
u feat to tell yon.' she replied.
"Whyt"
n did Il to avoid meeting some one
You may think tue day may CUM
when will pmt my hand on s0n'
other mans arm u avoid you"
"Please cease to speak 10 rddlea"
"Whiie stood beside you cav tw'
men eibowing their way through tn
crowd making toward me u was evt
dent that one was bringing the otbe
~ Introduce TO me. 1'his other knev
only to- we'll. though nis friend wa
NOT aware that did no have min
thus presented to me In Z rOom wher'
! We were both weti known would hav'
been terrible cOntretemps I svotO
I'd Il by walking away WITH you
u see.' said Mathewson. 'but per
don my curiosity we meu are. sornr
timer rnrtOa~ ns well M yOn women
Why were you 40 averss to meetinI
this snauy'
. ''hecause be nad beeO TOY husbsud