Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-11-29

country, where the sexes are more
readily thrown together, such assist
ance is not necessary, but in metrop-
oils Fs8g
"Nfy dear lady," interrupted Mr.. Far
rand, "why In heavens name don't
you organize such an association for
the union Of old bachelors and old
R Vs., :. ;. .,,,, . 10, -, =, .,on,.
ders," replied Miss Warfield, brighten
ing. "The object of my visit is to in
terest you In just such an association"
please enroll me as member at
once" said Mr.. Farrand with enthu
siasm, reaching again for his check
book. what are the fees and dues"
There are no fees or dues, Mr..
Farrand. The members are to meet
at the homes of some one Of the wom-
en- members s 4es aeH
i "Homes!'' interrupted the banker.
"Do unmarried women have homes?"
'There, Mr.. Farrand, is where our
sex have an advantage Of yours. 1t is
possible for woman to make home
without husband, but I am free to
say that an old maids home IL not
much more cheerful than an old bach
elor's. Nature intended
"Yes, yes. Miss Warfield. When and
where will the next. meeting convene?"
"The next meeting, Mr.. Farrand,
will be at my house. There are very
few of us women members who live
in houses fitted for. such assemblies.
While am member Of the associa-
ton my object is principally to aid
others. lam SO absorbed in my vari-
GUS works that
II understand. You, being a woman
Of means, can make comfortable, not
to say luxurious, home for yourself
while l, being man Of fortune, am
condemned to live at hotel. Your
interest in the rest Of us is all the
more commendable from its unself1sh-
ness"
"Then l shall expect you on next
Friday evening at my house, No. =
- avenue?"
II shall most assuredly be there"
"For the present we have decided to
enroll only persons of about the same
grade of refinement, though we hope
in time to form subsidiary assemblies
covering other grades
Miss Warfield arose to take her de-
parture, and Mr.. Farrand saw her to
her carriage, that was waiting at the
door. He looked longingly at the seat
beside her, so longingly that she asked
if he would not permit her to drive
him to his hotel. Helaccepted the in
vitation. and as they were driven
away he admitted to the lady that he
had no private conveyance. Having
no one to ride with him, he could
not enjoy riding, and, as for going to
and coming from his office, he needed
the exercise of walking. Miss Warfeld
declared that she used her carriage
only in her daily work for the benefit
of the needful, but if Mr.. Farrand
would permit her to call for him &C.
casionally at the bank she would be
happy to take him for a spin in the
park or in the country. To this he
cheerfully assented.
When Mr.. Farrand alighted at his no.
tel and went up to his room he did not
notice--its loneliness. He was filed
with new hope. The CHEEKY smile of
Miss Warfeld looked at him from the
bare walls, and he was picturing, not
room, but whole house, tastefully
furnished, maids in black and white
uniforms moving hither and thither,
an odor of flowers issuing from con-
servatory, cheerful fire burning IN
the library and, better than ALL that
trim little woman sitting at the other
end of the dinner table, commencing
to him this or that Wand which she
had especially provided for him.
When the evening for the assembly
came around Mr.. Farrand was indis-
posed and unable to attend He sent
a carload of flowers with which to
decorate the rooms and a few evenings
later called on Miss Warfield to ex-
press his regret that he had been pre-
vented from being present The lady
regretfully told him that her plan had
not been oversuccessful., The women
had shrunk from meeting the men with
the avowed purpose of matrimony, and
most of the men had admitted that I'M
less they could marry women much
younger than themselves they did not
care to marry at all.
"My dear Miss Warfeld," said Mr..
Farrand feelingly, II deeply sympa-
thize with you in the failure of your
plan, which is an excellent one. If
these persons have not the common
practical sense to take advantage Of
it they alone are to blame. As for
myself, having Joined the association.
I am not minded to resign from it. If
you and I are It's only members, be
It SOL
II fear we are" was the lugubrious
rejolnder.
I'm that case I shall do the only
thing in my power to save your scheme
from being an absolute failure. Let
there be at least, one result Of your ad-
mirable Intentions. I being the only
man In the association and you the
only woman, it Is obligatory upon us
to show these foolish persons what they
have thrown over their shoulders"
This was all there was to Mr.. Far
rand's proposal. Had he talked as a
lover Is supposed to talk, he would
have spoiled 1t all. AS 1t was, Miss
Warf1eld promised to take the matter