The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1916-01-07
Who Was the
Bridesmaid?
By SARAH BAXTER

help me out In q matter that's liable t
give me serious trouble"
what is 1t. Billyy
well. you know l have been atten
tive to Stella Monroe"
Most confoundcdly attentive" re
Piled Jim.
"l'ye often thought that you were
bit sweet on Stella. l have lately
svapped girls and am engaged Il
marian Truesdale. Stella has become
Jealous and declares that l have asked
her to marry me. II l don't she says
she will make a big fuss. Now.
dent believe she cares a rap for me.
she's like a dog in the manger-if she
can't get me she doesn't wish any one
else to have me. want you to play
spoons to her and draw her off,"
"Well, now. I like that. You propose
to use me to pull your chestnuts out
Of the fire. Not much. You fellows
who don't think anything of being
sweet on two or three girls ut the
came time must take your medicine
when the time comes. Sorry l can't
help you out"
Billy sighed and turned away. He
therefore did not see al amused look
on bis friends face. Jim had also been
attentive to Miss Monroe when Billy
had met her and. not knowing Of his
friends devotion. Billy made the same
love to her that be did to every girl
who gave him half a chance. The
lady knew his lovemaking propensity
and permitted him to practice 1t on
her.
Not long after the above I'VE
ton Jim went to Billy and. with a
very serious countenance. said to him:
BILLY. as your friend I feel in duty
bound to tell you that Stella Monroe
Is getting ready to bring suit against
you for breach OF promise of mar
1tage."
"where did you hear that?:' asked
Billy, paling.
"Her lawyer is u particular friend
Of mine"
Billy looked very much broken up.
"What are you going to do-fght
tt7'
II don't know what to do replied
AMY. If J go back on Marian there'l
" q monkey and parrot time"
There was a long silence. after which
Jim said:
" "Heither Of these girls wants your
money. They simply want to punish
ypu for playing them both ut the same
time. Think that If you settle On one
t44e ether will let you alone"
IF l settle, ON either 1t will be Stella"
At this Jim. looked serious. "YOu
aAve antagonized Stella to such an ex-
tent that l doubt II she would have
Jou now. Besides. ! understand that
she has gone too farawith her proposed
suit to back Out-that is. So long as she
Doesn't strike any II else in striking
ypu. Better tie up with Marian"
Billy said he would consider the
matter. and bis friend left him. Th..
same evening Billy went to see Marian.
It was always the last girl he was
with who enchained him. He told
Marian how he was situated and sug-
eested that the only way he could be
sared from u breach Of promise suit
WAS for her to marry him. Since she
wanted him very much she vas only
TOO glad to save him in that particular
way.
4 few days later Jim hurried into
Billy's room before Billy was ont of
he'd and announced that service was
he made on him that morning In the
breuch- of promise suit. Billy started
wildly.
"Whnt III thunder am ] to do" he
asked. 81"
The only way out Of it that | eau
sec is fer you to be married at once
aad jump the town."
After some talk Billy called up Miss
Oh the phone. told her how
be was situated and asked her II she
would put into practice the scheme pro-
p0sed. Marian said il VAS very sud.
Sen. but to save him from Il big scan
ax) aud no end Ut worry she would do
y fer him. 1t was arranged that ne
wns 10 go Mt once to a neighboring
Wwn. where she "a to join him the
ssrne evening. Jim agreed to be ut the
2fs1e to act ~ best man and said he
would try to scare up q bridesmaid.
The details having been settled. Billy
threw q few things in a suit case and
for the train.
Inn reached the rendezvous Mt 4
o'clock in the evening. Marian at 4.
The College inn vas the house where
IN the party were to unite. lin had
promised to go on ahead with the
brtdesmaid-if he could get one-and
he at the inn with a clergyman at D.
At ten minutes to 9 he sent up his
card, which was handed TO the couple
81 parlor C. Jim was shown up with
q lady, and when the two entered the
par1or she threw OF a thick veil. dis
playing the features Of Stella Monroe.
Bflly looked as If the door was about
to open and swallow him up. Jim
burst into immoderate laughter. When
ibis had subsidized. pointing to Stella
he said:
I'VE two have been engaged for
more than a year. My iancee was de-
serzn1ned that you should not treat