The Press., 1914-08-05
These matters preoccupled m7 t1me

These matters preoccupIed my t1me so much that didn't have much lei sure to give to the young folks matri- monial arrangements, which I sup posed were progressing according to the lines I'd laid out. But when young Holbrook burst into my presence. look ing kind of wild and dejected, saw at once I'd have to give more time to his affairs. :. rt
 Whats the matterY''
 He splashed round the room desper- ately.
 "Tm' six feet tall. broad shouldered proportionately. look manly enough, don't IT' be demanded angrily. "I never thought my worst enemy could say wasn't masculine. But Luella treats me as if were sentimental and silly and-effeminate. I've tried in every way imaginable. but somehow can't get at 1.-the proposal. l mean. She won't walk or drive with me any more: she won't let me get near the subject. This afternoon l made up my mind I'd say it somehow. And where did I find her: In the barn experimenting the packing of the egg crates! You don't want your niece to spend her time in the barn counting eggs-now. do you. Mrs. Thayer"
 ''It's just as well to keep our own figures as 10 how many eggs the men ship. when there's nothing more i'm portant on hand" answered sagely.
 He dissented impatiently.
 ''Well. said to her: I've some thing awfu"y important want to say to you. Can't you give me little time alone? She sent the man and maid away. and then she whirled round with her watch out. We've got to get these crates of for the afternoon train. sly declared. I can give yCU just five minutes. Now. say what you want Hang 1t all. how can a man propose across a dozen crates of eggs?"
 I had suspected this practical trait in Luella. but never dreamed it had de veloped to this extent seized my gold headed cane and pounded vigor- ously.
 "Luella. come here!'
 The girl came. flushed from running
 "Luella. give this young man more than five minutes. He wants to marry you"
 Fl love your he stammered "LuelIa. will you have me?"
 'No!" cried Luella furiously "Never!'
 'Hoity toityv' l exclaimed in anger "Of course you'll have him. Lucia I've made up my mind to it. l won't be gainsaid."
 ''I won't be married Offhand to the first stranger who pitches himself across our front door yard!'' cried Lu- ella passionately. her eyes widening Il won't-I wOn't-I won't!
 1 was amazed at LuelIa. Never have l seen such display of obstinate pig headedness in any individual, and aft CT had made up my mind to this ad vantageOus marriage the first day saw the young man. It was prepos- terOus.
 stamped my cane upon the floor. but forced myself to keep calm.
 "Luella," said with finality, "l have decided it is most advantageous for you to marry Dudley A. Holbrook."
 Hold On." the young man interrupt ed; "I'm not Dudley A. HolbrOok He's the rich New Yorker"
 It always irritates me to be inter- ruDte6. particularly Sy young people. And this interruption was especially annoying, as it made Luella flare up She turned on me like a whirlwind.
 Ut ssrves you right, Aunt Myra. that he isn't the rich Dudley HOl- brook. It shows you the futility of such sordid matchmaking-trying to marry girl off in that way-yOur own niece, tOo-it's OutrageousT'
 Something caught in Luella's voice. and the tears brimmed over in her brown eyes. WaterwOrks don't affect me. but the young man sprang toward her eagerly.
 "Luella. did you turn me down be- cause you thought l was the Dudley A. Holbrook?"
 Yes" came in muffled tones from Luella's averted head.
 twill you reconsider now that you know I'm just Dudley Holbrook and I love your"
 Luella's brown eyes met his eager gaze. and the anger died away in them. Then she flung back her head Ind looked at me defiantly.
 Yes" her voice rang out trium. phantly.
 BGt. bless you. only laughed with in myself. for. as l said in the begin ming. l know my own think-best is a teal better than anybody else's think best.
 And I'd known for a long time that the young man wasn't the Dudley HOl- brook!