The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1916-02-17
Who Was the
Bridesmaid?
By SARAH BAXTER

help me out in matter that HaUle 10
give me serious trouble
What is it. Billy
well. you know have been atten-
tive TO Stella Monroe.
Most confoundcdly attentive. re
piled Jim.
1--WE often thought that you were u
bit sweet on Stella. ! have lately
swapped girls and am engaged 10
Marian Truesdale. Stella has become
Jealous and declares that | have asked
her to marry me If don't she says
she will make a big fuss. Now.
don't believe she cares a rap for me.
She's like a dog in the mangcr-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.
We'll, now, 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
same time must take your medicine
when the time comes. Sorry | cant
help you out"
Billy sighed and turned away. He
therefore did not see an amused look
on his friends face. Jim had also been
attentive 10 Miss Monroe when Billy
had met her and, not knowing Of his
friends devotion. Billy made the same
love to her that he did to every girl
who gave him half chance. The
lady knew his lovcmakinG propensity
and permitted him 10 practice 1t on
her.
Not long after the above conversa-
ton Jim went to Billy and. with
very serious countenance, said to him:
Billy. as your friend | feel in duty
bound to tell you that Stella Monroe
Is getting ready to bring suit against
you for breach Of promise of mar
riage."
Where did you hear that;" asked
Billy, paling.
Her lawyer is a particular friend
of mine"
Billy looked very much broken up.
What are you going to do-hght
itY'
Il don't know what to do" replied
Billy. IF go back on Marian there'll
be a monkey and parrot time"
There was a long silence. after which
Jim said:
Neither of these girls wants your
money. They simply want to punish
you for playing them both at the same
time. | think that if you settle on one
the other will let you alone"
IF settle on either it will be Stella"
At this Jim looked serious. You
have antagonized Stella to such an ex-
tent that | doubt if she would have
you now. Besides. l understand that
she has gone too far with her proposed
suit to back out-that is. so long as she
doesn't strike any one else in striking
you. Better tie up with Marian"
Billy said he would consider the
matter, and his friend left him. The
same evening Billy went to see Marian.
1t was always the last girl he was
with who unclaimed him. He told
Marian how he was situated and sug-
gested that the only way he could be
saved from breach of promise suit
was for her to marry him. Since she
wanted him very much she was only
too glad to save him in that particular
way.
A few days later Jim hurried into
Billy's room before Billy was out of
bed and announced that service was
to be made on him that morning in the
breach of promise suit Billy started
up wildly.
what in thunder am to dor he
asked.
The only way out Of 1t that can
see is for you to be married at once
and jump the town"
After some talk Billy called I'D Miss
Truesdale on the phone, told her how
ne was situated and asked her IL she
would put into practice the scheme pro-
posed. Marian said 1t was very sud
den. but to save him from big scan
dial and no end of worry she would do
It for him. 1t was arranged that he
was to go at once to q neighboring
town. where she was to join him the
same evening. Jim agreed to be at the
place to act as best man and said he
would try to scare up a bridesmaid.
The details having been settled, Billy
threw few things in suit case and
started for the train.
Jim reached the rendezvous at G
O'Clock In the evening. Marian at 8.
The College inn was the house where
all the party were to unite. Jim had
promised to go on ahead with the
bridesmaid-if he could get one-and
be at the inn with a clergyman at 9.
AT ten minutes to 0 he sent up his
card. which was handed to the couple
In parlor c. Jim was shown I'D with
lady. and when the two entered the
parlor she threw off thick veil, dis
playing the features of Stella Monroe
Billy looked as if the floor was abou;
to open and swallow him up. lin
burst Into immoderate laughter. When
this had subsidized, pointing to Stella
he said:
We two have been engaged for
more than year. My fiancee was ce-
termined that you should not treat
Miss Truesdale as you were disposed