The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1916-02-24

changed the minute thc1 Sot AtOt"
under surveillance The girls were
airy, radiant, innocent, the young
men calm, imperylous to comment
or question. Never passing the
bounds OF propriety, they still bat-
fled home attempts to regulate their
movements.
Tom was always with Sallie, Rob
in the wake of Mary. The couples
weren't matched to suit the elders;
bnt. from fearing they were engag-
ed, they began to fear they were
not. This was because the young
people we're beginning to excite so-
cial comment by reason Of several
escapades. obviously innocent APP
parently accidental. They all came
home one day dripping wet from
everturning their canoes and swim
ming out, and another night they
walked home ten miles after the
motor broke down - BY arrange
nent. 1t was first one thing, theR
another. Finally the parents com
pared notes. They decided that
there was only one thing 70 be done
Interview the four together and
insist on less public devotion OF an
announcement Of engagements.
The young couple knew Of this,
and the evening the council was 70
occur at Sallie's home they prompt
n absented themselves. The meet
mo began, and after much polite
sparring it was decided to make the
best Of the Tom and Sallie and
Rob and Mary arrangements. The
old folks showed a touching reslg-
nation. All they would insist on
was knowledge Of the facts
at this juncture Tom and Sallie
strolled in, followed BY the other
two, all showing a delightful sur
prise al the parental presence.
1T looks like a council Of war,
commented Tom, while his father
glowered, and then began the at
tack, followed by Sallie's father and
the interpretations Of the others.
IF YOU are engaged, " Mrs Trevor
finished, eve insist on having il
properly announced. If you are not
well, YOU ought to be. hope
you understand our point Of view"
A silence followed, broken only
BY a nervous little giggle-the gig
gle Mrs. Martin would not like in a
daughter-in-law. Finally It was
Bob who spoke as the four stood
under the chandelier in the usual
couples.
eve are sorry-not for ourselves,
but for you-that we are not engag-
ed. We fully appreciate your as
sembled wishes. But We don't see
how we can be engaged. II il, in
fact, impossible" He looked al
Tom to finish, and that young man
rose to the occasion. lie was even
a bit dramatic as be faced the four
fathers, the four mothers. sitting in
stern cOncIave, but visibly softened
by the well bred, beautiful young
quartet before them, young people
and, after all, old enough
to know their own minds Thomas
spoke to his own mother.
'sThe fact IS, we all hate non
sense. We hate planned matches
and being engaged to order with
diamond rings to advertise the fact,
and the society pussies purring and
weddings preceded BY
showers Of stuff that only a fire or
some other special dispensution Of
can rid you Of And
.hen"-he took a lawyer-like tone
BETTING the junior partner Of the
irm Of Tracy Il Tracy, eve cannot
be engaged because" - he paused
Tor effect and got it, for a sudden
suspicion sent the parents as one TO
heir because we are already
he finished Ieisurely, "a
month ago at Baxter, by Roberts
Incle John, who also hates fuss and
With a quick movement
Tom moyed--past Sallie-and took
Nary BY the hand, leading her to
lis mother, and Bob had Sallie by
10Th hands, looking at her only,
the others.
And when it finally became evil
Ient to the bewildercd families that
he right children we're together
hat Sallie had married Robert.
bat Tom had married Mary-the /
elief went far on the way to for
iveness for the elopement.
But why elopcS" Sallie's father
nally asked. Il think may say
or my friends that these marriages
I'll make us ultimately happy
bat they are, in fact, just what we
esired What was the real trou
le? We we're all quite willing"
mt chorus Of laughter greeted
unhappy young laughter.
''That was just the trouble. You :