The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-05-21
something to eat.

breakfast You may have chicken
broth for lunch and vegetable soup
for dinner"
The thought of some change molli-
fled her father, and he began TO munich
his crackers resignedly.
1t was five days before Mr.. Metcalf
saw anything of Neale, and all that
time Martha saw to it that her father
followed out directions perfectly. The
foot had ceased to ache, and he was
able to walk without 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 a
fearful rate and | want something TO
eat. You can have Martha If you will
only cut out this diet and exercise
business"
I've got to cure you first, Mr.. Met
calfe."
How long win it take?"
Three months at this rate"
Three months" groaned Mr., Met
calfe,
Yes. That isn't long"
And | 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
will not marry until you are cured
So I'm up against the real thing
Neale?"
You are"
'All right, but I mean to have M
iuning 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
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, l wish you would invite
Neale to dinner tomorrow night if he
can come"
All right father. 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 us"
But you said"
Hang what | 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 / tum-
bic out of bed in the morning you
shove that hardware into my hands
and make me go through more per
sormances than a trick monkey get
out of the bath as hungry as a bear
in 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 -"
NO, father Neale-"
Hang Neale" shouted her father
as he fastened to the bathroom.
20 The following evening DR.. Balm
came as a guest for dinner. He and
Martha together entered Mr. Met
calfe's room,
Hello, Neale," he said cheerily.
Are you ready to say cured?'
mo, indeed. The symptoms are
only in allegiance, and it will take at
least three months to get it out OF
your 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
room walked Mrs Metcalfe, a min
lister, a clerk OF the county courthouse,
and several friends
What does it mean father?" gasped
Martha
1T means you and Merle are going
to be married right now
Martha fell Imply into chair Balm
burst out laughing and put his arms
about her and told her to be brave
Ia a few minDfes they were husband
and wife.
You knew all about this said
Martha reprcachfully as she and
Neale made heir way to the dining
room
Never dreamed of it, Martha"
And | vas planning such lovely
wedding" she said in a voice that
sounded IKE sob.
And 1t has been lovely one be
cause il Is so distinct, dearest
That which became the wedding
dinner VAS fine, indeed, but when Mr.
Metcalfc looked over the array Of
dainties he turned to the butler,
James, let my guests enjoy them
selves, but you bring me in large
porterhouse, plenty Of French fried,
and bottle OF claret Hang the
govt
Copyright, 1914, " the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate