Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-09-04
CUTTING THE KNOT
Determined SuItor Quickly Set.
tied Question as to Whom
Girl Should Marry.
BY JEAN DOUGLAS.


Constance Taylor burst into the
library and sank upon the low foot
stool beside the roomy armchair
wherein sat the object Of her quest.
"Oh, Miriaml I'm engaged to three
men, and they are all coming here
next week to talk things over with
me about the wedding. Whatever
shall l do?"
For a moment the elder sister re-
garded the culprit in silence with an
expression Of curious horror.
when. may ask, did you deluds
all these men,"
Constance was helplessly embar-
raised. Il know 1t will sound awful
to you. but the first was Bobby Ar
mold: you know, Beth's brother
had such a good time when last Wis
tied their home, and they all appeared
to like me so much, that when Bobby
asked me to marry him, I hadn't the
heart to say no. I told him not to
bother me for year, and, In the
meantime, I forgot all about It. Now
he reminds me the year Is up. Next
came Clark Potter; he saved my life
when the canoe capsized last summer.
and out Of sheer gratitude l promised
to marry him when he graduated
from college. He writes that he has
passed his examinations, and will ex-
pect me to set the date for the we'd
ding, some time in September. The
last Isis 'Russie' Irwin. became
engaged to him before he sailed for
Europe, and now he Is coming back
months in advance to marry me. 80
that we can spend the winter in
Egypt. What will I do with all OF
them?"
Miriam gazed seriously at the up
turned face with its tear-moistened
blue eyes. However could you do it.
Constance? Where was your sense
OF honor? You may be wrecking
three lives. for not one of them will
trust you after he learns about the
others"
Il know; that's what worries me.
I don't want to lose them all, they
are such splendid men, but just can't
decide which one would be the best
for me to marry. II l really loved
one, I'd simply refuse to see the other
two, and you could tell them that I
had decided to break the engagement:
but, you see, I'm afraid to select one
for fear might find that I could love
one OF the others better"
you don't regard this matter with
proper delicacy. Constance. You had
no right to encourage Clark or Rus
sell while promised to Bobby. and I,
not having had any experience in un-
raveling such a tangle, will not be
able to advise you. Matters will have
to adjust themselves"
Just then the bell summoned some
one to the door. and Constance. peek
ing out of the window, discovered the
last Of her three victims calmly re-
garding the doorknob. IT'S Russell"
she gasped. whatever shall I do?"
1.-THE only right thing to do. You
must tell him about the others. II
you don't. then WILL"
Constance promised, and AS she
crossed the hall to open the door. de-
cided to marry Clark Potter. who
needed her most.
After the usual greeting she led
Russie to the rose garden. and when
he was comfortably seated began:
You said you were not coming until
the middle OF the month. but It is
just az we'll, for I promised Miriam
to tell you all about the Others" Then
she, not daring to lift her eyes from
the poisoning bush at her side. told
him OF her engagements. He listened
attentively, smiling the while. and
when she had finished drew her close
to him and kissed her sQuarely on the
lips. Constance gasped. You mustn't
ever do that again, for mean to mar
ny Clark" Whereupon the deter
mined young man took from his
pocket a small box. from which he
extracted ring. This he slipped over
her finger, saying: Il have already
booked passage for US on the 18th.
We will be married Monday"
But suppose l would rather marry
one OF the others; you know am very
fond of Clark"
I'm that event I shall ask Molly
Spencer to go with me to Egypt. She
makes q splendid chum."
she is red-headed and has q fiend-
ish temper, besides l dislike her too
much to allow her to have you. III
save you from great unhappiness.
Well be married Monday."-Buffalo
Express.