Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1915-01-08
A Mystery
Solved
Bv SARAH BAXTER

Il By SARAH BAXTER
Mathewson was standing during q
social function before 4 mantel with
his thumbs In his waistcoat pockets
and his legs at an angle OF about ten
degrees gaping at the crowds of men
and women passing and repassing. He
had tired Of the disconnected. choppy.
a1miess conversation which Is the only
possible kind In such places and stood
alone rather than endure any more of
it. But be did not tire OF watching
others who were hunting for some
thing to say to one another that would
lit In with possible interruption ut
any moment
Presently turning, there stood a lady
beside him, evidently passing the time
discontentedly like. She was about
twenty-four years of age and at least,
so far as her appearance was concern
ed. very attractive.
Suddenly the lady put her hand on
bis arm and said as Familiarity as II
she had known him: 1T Is sitting In
here. must get some air."
Mathewson had met the surprise OF
his life. What was her object In ap-
propriating him thus he could not di.
vine, but he was not minded to throw
u straw in the way Of anything she
might intend. Being a man Of the
world, a well bred man, a confederate
man. be manifested no surprise; neither
did he presume upon an acquaintance
that was not his.
You are quite right about the air
In there being sitting" he said II
was thinking Of getting out OF it my.
SELF"
This commonplace remark seemed TO
put the lady ut her ease. aud, guild
ing her companion into a cozy nook
where they were not likely to be In.
terrupted, she conversed not In the bits
of nothing to be expected, but gradually
led the way into topics of interest.
hiathewson spent a charming half
hour. expecting the while that the lady
before parting with him would make
known her reason for having appro-
priated him. But presently an old lady
came and remarked. II have been look
ing everywhere for you," and the
younger woman. arising, nodded to
Mathewson. and the two ladies' walked
away together.
Later Mathewson pointed out the
lady who had appropriated him. ask
Ing who she was, and was told that
she was a Mrs. Olcott. aavtng ex-
pressed disappointment his compan-
lon remarked:
She's q missus. but not married
She's a divorces"
do you know herT asked Mathew
son.
II do" *<:,. ,;;::'.4
'Then introduce me-"
There was no opportunity at the
time, for the lady. together With the
elderly woman who had Joined her,
was going upstairs preparatory to ieav.
ing the house.
A few days later Mathewson met
Mrs. Olcott at another function. She
passed him in company with others.
but did not look at him. At this he
was not surprised. Having an appoint
meDt to call upon her the next evening
with the friend who was to introduce
him. he found her kindly disposed;
but, though he sat With her for some
time, she made no mention of the mat
ter Of her appropriation OF MIN. She
discussed any subject that Mathewson
proposed or toward which be led the
way; but, although be several times
gave her an opportunity to explain why
al explanation.
Whether 1t was the lady's personality
or the mystery attending their first
meeting. it was not long before he was
She accepted his attentions
not with the hckleness of young girl,
but With the experience Of one who
had been married. Mathewson, at first !
having knowledge that she had been
4 wife, was somewhat chary ut falling
In love with her, for be argued that IL |
one man could not live with her pos
sibly another might lind it difficult.
But after awhile be cast precautien to
The winds. threw up bis hands and was |
ready to marry her IL she were q devil |
In human shape.
There Is but one ending to a story
its hero is madly in love. He
proposes and Is either accepted or re-
]ected- IL he Is rejected the story
ends nowhere: If accepted, in marriage.
was accepted
And now" he said to bis 1ancee, IL |
suppose It Ia In order for me to ask |
why you saw tit on a certain evening !
when yOu and 1 stood side by side,
utter strangers. to put your hand on
my arm and lead me away as IL we |
We're acquainted"
Il fear to tell you," she replied.
"Why?"
II did it to avoid meeting some one.
You may think the day may come |