The Press., 1914-08-05
-@ !" t lass'4 Fe'sn.. ~>il- !. Where There's f. 7. a.Will There Is Also a Way ;
 #-sN >-a .'."
 pv pI NICHE l. GOELL
By BLANCHE |. GOELL by Frank A. Munsey Co

There isn't any use of living to be as old as the hills as I have unless you can do exactly as you please, especial ly when your own think best Is great deal better than anybody else's think best.
 Now. I'd been thinking secret-like and saying open that twas high time my grandniece Luella was married. t
 It wasn't likely that could live On indefinitely, and it might be some amusement to me in the hereafter to recoIlect the features of Luella's hus band.
 And it would be pleasant to have g little child about, boy or a girl. for me to pet during the few remaining years to me on earth, when one naturally in clines to the young.
 didn't know where an eligible young man was coming from in these parts. But from the minute l was born l always had an opinion on every subject. and I knew I'd find the young Il man somehow.
 ! | auto turned turtle in front of my yard, and young Dudley HolbrOok draped himself around my stone post and gar den gate with a broken arm and a broken collar bone had the hired man carry him straight up to the spare room.
 After the doctor had set his bones and bandaged his head sat awhile by his bed and listened to his blabbing. Then I made up my mind he'd do to marry Luella.
 acter and past actions as delirium talk. and, after I listened hard for f1fty-f1ve minutes and heard no mention of cho- rus girls, jack pots or other metropOli- tan poisons. decided he'd do.
 So, going out from the sickroom, l addressed my grandniece:
 Its a special dispensatiOn for you. Luella. an act of Providence. This young mans name. according to cards and other memoranda in his pockets, is Dudley Holbrook. The newspapers had a deal to say last year about the fortune old Holbrook left his sons when he died. I consider this a most suitable marriage for you"
 Luella's brown eyes opened wide. It's a way they have when Luella Is angry. But 1 won't tolerate anger in a young person and prepared to say so. But all that Luella uttered was:
 "What about the young man. and what about Freddie?"
 My grandniece has a most annoying habit of bringing up topics wholly ir- relevant to the subject under discus sion. What had my grandnephew Freddie to do with the question:
 "Freddie!' l stormed. Don't you dare think of marrying Freddie! If ever I had such an idea In my head for you twas when he was in kits and is too much society about Freddie. It's all frat and varsity and varsity and frat. Too much society, I say. won't have you marry Freddieg"
 I went back to the sickroom and took another look at the injured young man. He had strong body. clear. fresh skin and look about the part of him that wasn't bandaged that told me he hadn't abused the money his father had left him.
 So, having made up my mind that if the young man didn't die he should marry Luella. felt quite comfortable to have her future settled.
 He didn't die, and I interviewed him often in the days when he was getting we'll in my front spare room. Every thing learned was to my satisfac- ton.
 He wasn't entangled with any other girl. had no family connections nearer than China. was sound physically and nothing extraordinary mentally. Luel- la had often been unruly in her child hood. but didn't care to punish her to the extent of tying her for life to any man of genius.
 So the third week that ths young man lay in my front spare room. up one flight. I came to the point very plainly.
 "What do you think of my grand niece LuellaY demanded bluntly.
 The boy flushed and turned uneasiIy in bed.
 She's ripping. isn't she? So straight and strong! Sometimes hear her sing ing when she runs off down the gar den. She does all sorts of things. doesn't she? Once. when I was prop ped up in bed staring out at the apple trees. 1 saw her run down the slope and leap the little brook. Took it splendidIy. Gee! l wish l was up and could go walking with herI'
 She's a good. sensible girl. Is Luel- la." looked him squarely in the eye Young man. you'll go long way be- fore you'll see another such girl as Luella."
 ''I believe yOu-' he cried fervently.
 So in my mind twas as good as set tied.
 Things went on just as l meant they should. But because l made no more mention of my plans LueIla seemed to think I'd forgotten them. and she didn't once demur when l sent her in Fvery afternoon to read tO the invalid
 The young man got we'll uf course. but he didn't 20 away. He declared my old country place was fife most d. Iightful spot in New England and tlpA' he felt more at home there than else where. Of course l wasn't fool enough to think my old farm was enchanting a healthy young man who'd travelled over Europe. Asia and Africa. but l didn't say anything. 1 let him stay.
 And one day he blurted out what l knew must come:
 Mrs. Thayer. Pm in love with Lu- ella. You've been mighty good to me this summer--taken me in of the road patched up my wounds. kept me on faith. owe you a lot already. Are you willing l should speak to Lucia and make my debt of gratitude to you all the bigger?" .....
 Why do you say all this to meT' demanded You're not in love with me. are yOu:''
 Good heavens. nO!" he ejaculated, and then he looked frightened when I