Graham guardian., 1915-09-24
My
By EDNA WOOL WORTH

In these days poor girls 1T them
selves for II life Ut labor because they
expect to be Obliged to support them
selves. and wealthy girlS-at least some
of them-beCauSe they don't relish u
choice between matrimOny and idleneSs
| belong to the latter class. One nu.
tumn not many years ago |. thon twen-
ty years old. thoroughly imbued with
the belief that nll men were selfish ana
if ] welded the man ! married would
take me for my fortune and, having
spent it. desert or III treat me, decided
to 20 to the city and prepare myself
for career.
| belonged to several societies in my
native town. one of which was dCv0t-
ed to the cause of temperance. Our
badge was bit of blue ribbon tied in
the buttOnhOle of the men members
and somewhere OIL the cOrsage of
the women. was an enthusiastic
advocate Of the temperance cause and
always wore my colOrs,
The day alighted from the train on
my quest for career II young man
with n pleasing face and as pleasing q
smile on 1t stepped up to me and, TAX
ing from me sntchel carried. said:
Here you are. Cousin BpSsr'
Now. my name happened to be Eliza.
beth Had 1t not been so should
have probably told the young man that
he was mistaken in the person. AS II
was, thought for Il moment that some
of my numerous cousins living IN the
city whom | had never seen had got
wind Of my coming and had concluded
to meet me.
you are | asked.
I'm Ned OlcOtt. We received your
letter mentioning the blue ribbon. Ev-
erything Is prepared for you We
have succeeded in getting a position
for you In the high school. You're TO
teach history. believe that's what
you wanted. isn't it,"
We were moving with the thrOng
and by this time had reached the sta
ton exit. There WAS something so in
genuous. SO kindly, as we'll as dignitied.
In the young mans face and manner
that my heart went right ont to him
was seized with a curiosity to know
what he would do with me. heSitat-
ed few moments whether ! would In.
form him Of his mistake or delay.
Meanwhile he called cab. and the
driver came daShing up to the curb.
Are you sure?" ! began and stopped
"Quite so Mother said ] was to
bring you straight home. Get in"
yielded After all. was not this
relative? At any rate, would act
for awhile as If he We're. Perhaps he
was He drove me to modest dwell.
ing standing well back from the street,
with very white curtains and some
well polished brass at the front door
An old lady, with a lovable face and
snow white hair. backed by two young
girls. received me. welcoming me with
n kiss
"Why. Cousin BeSS." exclaimed the
elder girl. ''hOw you've changed, You
don't look ut alf as you did when we
played together ten years ago"
"EIizabcth must be tired and hungry.
Helen. show her to her room. Dinner
will be ready in half hour"
was glad to escape. for that time
at least, from my equivocal position
Helen left me to think over what ]
should do had gone so far that any
course might pursue would result in
modification. would not be able to
make these kind persons believe that
| had been drawn into their brothers
mistake. was sure there was mis-
take. for Just before going upstairs
had been asked how had left my
stepmOther, and had no StepmOther.
was too confused to make much
of toilet. | employed my time try
ing to think Of Il way out Of my dilem-
ma. Not finding any way to suit me, |
resolved to await a favorable oppOrtu-
nifty to make it appear that had been
taken up by relatives that had never
seen When the half hour had passed
went downstairs, and there in trav-
cling dress stood the real Bess. the
mother, the son and the two daughters
regarding her as if not knowing what
to make of her. AS entered the room
they looked at ME. equally dumfound-
ed. saw that the denOuement had
come. noticed that my double wore
"A hIup ribbon
(which of you is Elizabeth?" asked
the mother.
elizabeth what" asked.
"ElizHbeth Stanton, of course
Il Am Elizabeth Elliot" | said.
And am Elizabeth Stanton" said
the newcomer.
For Il moment | affected to be much
puzzled, then said: II had my doubts
about the gentleman being my cous
in. but | have relatives in the city |
have never seen and supposed he
might he one of them. But since my
arrival | have come to believe mis-,
take has been made
You took away my escort" said the
other Cousin BesS. smiling. and | have
been obliged to find my wny here
alone. | see you wear the blue ribbon
agreed upon
THAT Ia n society decoration" In
rOrmed her
"Yonng Indies" said the mother