Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-02-05

floor.
Don't kick. father. Eat you
breakfast. You may have CHECKER
broth for lunch and vegetable soul
for dinner"
The thought Of some change molli
fed her father. and he began to munct
his crackers resignedly.
1t was Ave days before Mr.. Metcall
saw anything Of Neale. and all thai
time Martha saw to II that her fathel
followed out directions perfectly. The
foot had ceased to ache. and he was
able to walk without a cane. but the
doctor forbade him to leave the house
"Neale." he said the first time he
saw the doctor. I'm hungry. I'm
headed towards skin and bones at q
fearful rate and l want something to
eat You can have Martha II you vii
only cut out this diet and exercise
business"
I've got to cure you first, Mr.. Met
calfe."
How long will 1t take?"
Three months at this rate
Three months" groaned MI. Met.
calfe.
Yes. That isn't long"
And l have to juggle all that pig
iron and live on baby food for three
months?"
We will reduce the exercise as you
grow stronger and increase the food
as you need it, but we will stick to the
letter of the contract Martha and l
will not marry until you are cured"
so I'm up against the real thing.
Neale?"
You are"
"All right, but l mean to have my
inning. AS you leave to give Martha
more instructions to continue my mis-
cry kindly tell Mrs. Metcalfe / wish
to see her, will you Neale?"
Certainly" said Neale with a
smile.
Thank you, murmured Mr.. Metcalfe
with mock courtesy.
Four more days passed and one
morning after finishing up the hop
ping on one foot, Metcalfe turned to
Martha
Martha, I wish you would invite
Neale to dinner tomorrow night II he
can come"
All right father. l suppose you
want him to swear you are cured?"
NO, daughter, he won't have to
swear to anything. think am able
to swear for both Of u.s."
But you said"
Hang what l said, Martha This
physical culture. as you call it, is pure
physical torture, and tomorrow night
is Neale's last chance. II he wants
you or you want him, or you want
each other"
Now, father"
Now nothing! This comedy has
gone far enough. AS soon as l tum-
BILE out Of bed in the morning you
shove that hardware into my hands
and make me go through per-
than a trick monkey. ! get
out Of the bath a hungry as a bear
springtime and you decorate my
place at the table with soda biscuit
and COW juice. I'm cured, / tell you.
| ought to know when I'm cured.
oughtn't L?
mo, father. Neale-"
Hang Neale!" shouted her father
as he FASTENED to the bathroom.
The following evening DR.. Balm
came as a guest for dinner. He and
together entered Mr.. Met
O
Hello, Neale," he said cheerily.
Are you ready to say cured?"
mo, indeed. The symptoms are
only In allegiance. and it will take at
east three months to get it out Of
TOUR system"
And you and Martha are not to
marry until I'm cured?"
Exactly"
And when you are married this
monkey business stops?"
Sure" laughed Neale.
Then just kindly open that door"
Neale opened the door and into the
DOM walked Mrs. Metcalfe, a min
ster, a clerk of the county courthouse,
nd several friends.
What does 1t mean father?" gasped
1T means you and Neale are going
o be married right now!"
Martha fell Imply into a chair. Balm
urst out laughing and put his arms
bout her and told her to be brave.
n a few minutes they were husband
nd wife.
You knew all about this" said
reproachfully as she and
'eale made their way to the dining.
Dom.
Never dreamed Of 1t, Martha,
And / was planning such a lovely
redding," she said in a voice that
like a sob.
And 1t has been a lovely one be-
ause 1t ia so distinct. dearest"
That which became the wedding
inner was fine, indeed. but when Mr..
looked over the array Of
he turned to the butler.
let my guests enjoy them
elves, but you bring me In a large
orterhouse, plenty Of French fried,
nd a bottle Of claret. Hang the
Copyright. 1914. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)