The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-09-04
A Matrimonial
Shack
BY ESTHER VANDEVEER

Jameson proposed to his stenogra
pher within sixty days after she en-
tered his service. He had never seer
her before she came to work for him
consequently he had known her but
two months.
You know little or nothing about
me-" was her reply to his declaration.
II know you are refined. that you
have character, and | am willing to
risk the rest. If you marry me you
will eave to take me all on trust"
Don't you care to know anything of
my antecedents?'
mo. 1t would doubtless make me
ashamed Of my own antecedents. We
will be marrying each other. not each
others antecedents. Marriage is Il
new birth. expect TO be a much bet
ter man under your influence"
She fixed her eyes on him curiouslys
but asked no further questions. She
understood his peculiar makeup in
stinctiyely. 1t was fortunate she did.
Couples who are incapable of under
standing each other are liable to quar-
Etl ulttT NtulOCh uh5 Tue tuSt
Off their romance.
| Jameson gave his fancee vacation
| for the rest of her term Of service with
him. She was to take rest, which
she sadly needed. A year before she
came to work for him she had lived In
afiuence. Reverses had deprived her
Of the beautiful home In which she had
l Imam nd ha nj lirad Che
and her mother had been turned out OF
| It, and half year later the mother had
died. leaving her daughter alone in the
world. While In Jamieson's service she
had been grieving, and she wondered
how he could have come to coyet one
so lugubrious. He had never asked for
the cause Of her melancholy, and she
had never offered to reveal 1t.
And now she had suggested that she
tell him something about her past, for
she wished him TO know that she WIS
born in a station no less exalted than
bis own, for he was not only well to do.
but educated and refined. Though she
liked his Independent way of looking
on marriage, she was bit disappointed |
that he had not given her an opportu- |
nifty TO tell him that she had been |
brought up a lady and until year be- |
fore had lived In a home that 1t had |
nearly broken her heart 10 leave. But |
she knew that she must take him as |
she found him and had confidence that /
beneath his somewhat crude philoso- /
ply be was not bad man. and she |
was quite sure that despite his matter /
OF fact way of looking at sentimental
things he was not devoid OF sentiment
Jameson insisted on his iancee going
to the country for the summer months.
II don't wish my bride TO look like
piece of marble" he said. II desire
that you put in the time between now
and our marriage trying to get some
color In your cheeks. can make all
the necessary preparations for place
to live and all that II you did your
share OF it you would not be getting
the rest you need Besides. think how
pleasant 1t will be not TO be bothered
with suggestions"
She admired his frsnkness, but it
seemed 10 her that be was a trifie self
Ish. He was thinking OF himself in
wanting his bride TO be approved by
his friends instead OF desiring her 10
regain her health for her own Iike.
He was good man. but was inclined
10 selishness.
Jameson. while she was away In the
country, did not write her long and
owing letters. He claimed that a man
" thlrty-eight was too old for that
sort of thing" as he expressed IL. He
aid that he would try to make up for
he deficiency after marriage by giving
Ter kiss at least once a month. shs
ook these things with good deal Of
alt" but after all how much pleas
inter IL would have been TO be engaged
o a lover-like man!
He wrote that be was looking for
shack" as be called Il. for them 90
I've in: then one day he wrote her that
10 had found one. He didn't suppose
he would like IL, but IL was the best
o could do He managed 10 say one
leasant thing-he believed the house
D which a couple lived should stand in
he name OF she wife and he had put
he deed In her name.
The summer came TO an end at last
nd the future Mrs. Jameson returned
D the city. Her lover seemed quite
leased with the change In her and
aid that be would not be ashamed 81
er appearance. He asked her n she
-ould Ike a large or a small wedding.
nd she replied that since Il was evi.
ent he would wish bis own way about =
else she might as well give
! IN that as all the rest Then he
bowed his obstinacy IN refusing 20 de-
de the matter. and she chose a small
edding Indeed. she preferred that no
hest should be present
They were married AZ noon. and. since
e green was unable 10 leave bis bust.
sss instead Of taking a wedding trip
Iev went direct 20 their future bone
be bride ssRed no questions about n.
IT she WIS IN q CULVER 70 see g. She
q not believe u was a shack. but she
,ubted since Jameson needed his cap
II IN bis business that be would bug
pretentious abode.
II wss DARK when they reached their
W bone. bot when Mrs. Jameson
lghfed and looked at n she drew
OK She was before the house from
hich she had been turred out q vesr
fore Then she Looked "a hsr Husband