Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1917-11-27
THE MEDDLER
BY EARL REED sILvERs-

c sou anu OuSef OEOWiey en-
gaged?"
Miss Mary Robinson looked squarely
into the eyes of Ruth Hampstead, hel
niece, when she asked the question
and the younger girl blushed.
'Of course we aren't" she answered
@What makes you think so?'
I'm only thinking what everybody
else in town is talking about" Miss
Mary remarked bluntly. sIf'you aren't
engaged, you ought to be-"
'Can't two young people just be
good friends without bringing in the
question of marriage?" she parted.
Good frieRds, yes p Aunt Mary
snorted. "But it's got beyond that
point with you two"
swell, what can 'do?" There was
a hint of helplessness in the girls
voice, and the older woman softened.
81 don't suppose you can do any
thing" she answered.. sIf he intends
to propose at all can make him do it
In two days." she announced.
'In what way?"
81 want you to have friend of mine
come to see you tonight"
'Oh, I can't; divers comingI''
"Well, phone him tonight and tell
him you have another engagement"
''But / haven't Ruth protested.
"You will have. I'm going to bring
Dick Slower up to see you"
who's he?"
Hes a young newspaper man from
New York who's spending few weeks
in Glenwood, getting material for a
story. I've met him a number Of times
in the Office, and I've always intended
to have him up for supper. So well
make it tonight
'sAll right, I'll phone to Oliver"
There was note of excitement IN
Ruth's voice. 'Ary, but he'll be sur
prised!" she added.
That afternoon Aunt Mary paid a
visit to the Office of the Glenwood
Record, the only newspaper in town.
AS society editor, it was her duty to
write the personal news items.
She remained at the Office until four
o'clock, when young man with smil-
ing eyes and curly hair entered
How are you, Miss Robinson?" he
asked pleasantly. "Hard at it?"
EYES," She smiled back at him. 81
want you to come home to supper with
me tonight"
I'D be delighted. What timer"
six o'clock"
At six o'clock to a dot he presented
himself at the Hampstead front porch.
He acknowledged Aunt Mary's intro
auctions to Mr.. s-i Mrs. Hampstead,
and then turned to Ruth.
''Tve seen you 4, often that feel
as if / know you already" he said.
'I've been here for IL week. now
The girl liked the way he spoke !;
she liked his smile end many other
things about him; and as the evening
wore away, she foreot about Oliver
Crowley and the i'll grace with which
he had received her telephone call.
you must come again she urged
when Dick took rather reluctant
leave. .T'll introduce you to some Of
Glenwoods young people"
Ruth thought about him quite often
during thefnext day, and deep down in
her heart she admitted that she was
sorry that it was Oliver, and not he,
who was coming that night.
But Oliver came, carrying under his
arm the weekly edition of the Glen
wood Record, which had just been Is
sued.
There's something I'd like to speak
to you about" he said.
Ruth's heart leaped. He was proba
bly, going to say the words she had
wanted him to say for the past six
months.
"Have you seen today's copy of the
Record?" he asked.
NO." she answered, II haven't had
time vet"
"Then read this"
She took the paper from his hands
and read the item he indicated.
''It is rumored that certain young
newspaper man from New York has
been visiting one of our young ladies
on Maple avenue, the paper stateo.
"How about it, Ruth?"
The girl blushed scarlet.
I'm glad that you are having other
men come to see you. I have been mo-
nopolizing you for the past year or so,
and 1 feel that ought to stop 1t.
have a mother who wants me to live
with her always, and Pm-Tm not
ready to get married yet"
"Oh"
Ruth was taken back by his frank
statement. She didn't know what to
say.
$50 / won't be over so much after
this" he fipished. Il hope you'll under
standl"
Eyes, I understand" The girls voice
was cold, and Oliver, recognizing dam
ger signs, soon took his departure.
In the library Ruth went directly to
Aunt Mary.
"Well,r she announced. @your news
item worked, but not in the way you
thought it would. Oliver has thrown
me over"
"Do you carer Aunt Mary's eyes
were troubled.
.sNot very much" she responded
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