The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-12-22

the wedding, OF course, flElll htie dl
the very opening Of the story, really
makes the story superiluOus, which Is
Bostonese for mo use" In n story,
the wedding is supposed to be the very
last thing.
Harry was young architect and
engineer who had only just opened an
office In the town. When he came out
of college he reached the conclusion
that he would do better TO set up a
business in some small town and grow
up with 1t than TO grow old unnotlced
in some older town. That is how he
came to be here. He met Harriet soon
after his arrival and 1t wasn't long be-
fore he was desperately in love with
her.
There really wasn't very much the
matter with Harry-except Harriet.
And there wasn't anything at all the
matter with Harrlet-in Harry's Opin-
ion. So, after he had got down to
buslness-bOth at his office and with
Harriet-she said "Yes." Their mar
riage brought them a great deal of
happiness, and, what was more pc
culiar, great deal Of happiness to
someone who wasn't related to them
in any way. Which is what the story
is about. This other person not only
was not related to them, but was
scarcely known to them. She lived in
the other end of town. Elm avenue
runs right through the town from east
to west. At one end, the west end, it
is well named, for it is bordered by
stately elms.
1t had been arranged that they were
to be married at high noon on Christ
mas day ut Harriets old home. Then
there was to be a quiet family dinner
there, followed by reception to their
friends at Harriet's new home, where
open house was to be kept in honor of
the day and the event. There their
friends gathered In the afternoon, and
there the presentation was to occur.
For Harry's young men friends, of
whom there were a few despite his
short residence in the town, and Har-
riet's, of whom there were more, had
decided to give them, in addition to
all the "little stuff" one practical gift
of larger proportions. So they had
"chipped in" and bought them a mag
nificent leather rocker, one of the big,
comfortable kind; and that was to be
duly presented at the hour Of its ar
rival that afternoon. 1t had been ar
ranged that it was to be delivered
while all the young folks were there,
as a sort of surprise extra offering.
But, as the afternoon wore on, the
face of the chairman Of the delegation,
who was to make the presentation
speech, grew longer and longer.
II can't see what has happened" he
said IN confidence to a group of the
fellows, when an opportunity for Cot.
fidehces arrived, "and why that darned
chair doesn't come"
Are you sure you gave them the
right number, and everything" some
one asked.
"Sure-S7 Elm street West. That's
simple enough
1t must have been FIVE o'clock when
one of the boys had an inspiration.
"Do you suppose by any chance that
chair was delivered to S72 Elm street
East?" he asked.
At last here was a clue; and the
chairman, a chairman without a chair,
and a self-appointed research commit
tee of three, loaded themselves into
a car, after making unbelievable ex-
cuses to the bride and groom, and
speeded away across town in pursuit
of the missing gift, although not very
certain where S72 Elm street East was,
or if there were an S72 East, or pos
sessed of any knowledge concerning
who lived there.
Now, $40 East is a little tumble
down house, or was, well out Elm
street, and somewhat back from the
thoroughfare.
II remember-there's some old wom-
an lives here" said one of the party.
They all piled out and followed the
broken sidewalk up to the dwelling.
"Come in," answered a CHEEKY but
quaverlng voice when they knocked.
SO they entered in the dusk. 1t was