The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-02-15
Who Was the
Bridesmaid?
By SARAH BAXTER

L
help me out in a matter that's liable to
| give me serious trouble
''What is it. .Billy!"
.'We. you know have been atten-
| tive to Stella Monroe
Most confoundedly attentive re-
| piled jim
.'I've often thought that you were n
| bit sweet on Stella. have lately
snapped girls and am engaged TO
Marian rruesdalc. Stella has become
jealous and declares that have asked
her to marry me. II don't she says
she will make a big fuss. Now. l
don't believe she cares a rap for me.
She's like dog in the manger-if she
can't get me she doesn't wish any one
else TO hnve me. want you to play
spoons to her and draw her off,
"Well, 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 can't
help you out.
Billy sighed and turned away. He
therefore did not see IN amused look
on his friends face Jim had also been
attentive to Miss, Monroe when Billy
had met her and, not knowing OF his
friends devotion. Billy made tile same
love TO her that he did to every girl
who gave him half chance. The
lady knew his lovemaking propensity
and permitted him to practice it on
her.
Not long after the above conversa-
ton jim went to Billy and, with a
very serious conntenance. 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
rage"
''Where did you hear that:: asked
Billy, palng-
Her lawyer is particular friend
Of mine"
Billy looked very much broken up.
what are you going to do-Gght
itT'
Il don't know what to do" replied
Billy. IF so back on Marian thereI
be 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 OK
tent that doubt if she would have
you now. Besides, 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 lie was
with who enchained him. He told
Marian how he was situated and sug-
gestcd that the only way he could be
saved from q 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.
y 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 do?" he
asked.
1.-The only way out of it that can
see is for you to be married at once
and jump the town.
After some talk Billy called up Miss
Truesdale on the phone. told her how
he was situated and asked her if she
would put into practice the Scheme pro-
posed Marian said it 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 60 at once to neighbOrinS
COWu, WueIe Sic WAS ~ JUN Till Tue
same evening. Jim agreed to be at the
place to act as best man and said he
would try to scare up bridesmaid.
Fhe details having been settled, Billy
threw a few things in suit case and
started for the train.
Jim reached the rendezvous at 6
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 60 on ahead with lhe
bridesmaid-if he could get one-and
be at the inn with a clergyman at 0.
At ten minutes to 8 he sent up his
card, which was handed to the couple
in parlor c. Jim was shown up with
a lady, and when the two entered the
parlor she threw OF thick veil. dis
playing the features of Stella Monroe.
Billy looked as II the floor was about