The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1916-12-14


the wedding, of course right here at
the very opening of the story, really
makes the story superfiuous, which is
BostOnese for mo use" In a story,
the wedding is supposed to be the very
! last thing.
Harry was a 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
business in some small town and grow
up with it than to grow old unnOticed
in some older town. That is how he
came to be here. He met Harriet soon
after his arrival and it 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 Harriet-in Harry's opin-
ion. So, after he had got down to
business-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, a 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 at Harriet's old home. Then
there was to be a quiet family dinner
there, followed by a 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
Clipped in" and bought them a mag
nifcent 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.
Il can't see what has happened" he
said in confidence to a group of the
fellows, when an opportunity for con-
fdences arrived, "and why that darned
chair doesn't come"
Are you sure you gave them the
light number, and everything?" some
0ne asked.
"Sure-S7 Elm street West. That's
simple enough"
1t must have been five o'clock when
me of the boys had an inspiration.
DO you suppose by any chance that
hair was delivered to SD Elm street
1aSt?" he asked.
At last here was a clue; and the
hartman, a chairman without a chair,
nd a seIf-appointed research commit :
ee of three, loaded themselves into
car, after making unbelievable ex- l
uses to the bride and groom, and |
peeded away across town in pursuit
f the missing gift, although not very
ertain where $50 Elm street East was, I
r if there were an S72 East, or pos 5
essed of any knowledge concerning s
,ho lived there.
Now, S72 East is a little tumble i
own house, or was, well out Elm Y
treet, and somewhat back from the t
{
II remember-there's some old wom- b
n lives here" said one of the party. q
hey all piled out and followed the b
roken sidewalk up to the dwelling. 5
Come in" answered u CHEEKY but e
uavering voice when they knocked. S
o they entered in the dusk. 1t was s
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