Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-09-27

ana prepared to make hasty depar-
ture. But the gentleman did not seem
to be In the least hurry. He detained
her while he insisted on her setting a
definite time when young Ed Townley
would be at home so that she could
meet and speak with him.
Ann found herself nearly home
when she suddenly pulled up sharply
and stood still. She took out her list
and found she had passed most Of the
houses scheduled to visit. She was so
dlsgusted with herself to find she had
been so deep In thought about her re-
cent experience as 20 forget the need
Of the government for soldiers that
she resoluteIy turned back and began
the business OF ringing doorbells. Ann
was not yet thirty-seven. She was
good to look upon. with clear, gray
eyes, neatly dressed brown hair, a
good, healthy color and a delightful
smile. Her presence always radlated
good cheer. People seemed always
glad to see her, and when they some
times asked her why she had never
married she laughed and answered she
supposed she was immune" II Is
strange anyone win ask that question,
because they cannot expect TO get q
truthful answer. It is something
rather too close and sacred to most
people 20 reveal to anyone. Whatever
may have been Ann Welby's reasons.
she was too much Interested In life to
spend any time In thinking them over.
She seemed quite serenely happy and
untouched by the marriage problem
as far as Il concerned herself.
When she called again at the Town
ley home at the appointed time she
again was met by the same gentleman,
who made profuse apologies for his
nephew. who had been Unexpectedly
called away too late TO let her know.
Ann was determined she would not
again be lnveigled into long visit
and turned quickly TO so. But the
gentleman asked her question which
required quite lengthy answer, and
Ann begun to feel herself rather pow
erless TO carry out her resolves In the
presence OF this stranger. He apollo
gized for her having taken the time
and trouble for nothing. and asked II
he might instead bring the young man
to her TO be reasoned with. Az usual
he had his way, and she consented.
only again 10 experience a revulsiOn
OF feeling on the way home and won~
der why she had been 80 easily per-
suaded.
True TO his word, the gentleman
called with young Townley. AIMS elo-
quence seemed to have the desired ef-
feet and Townley promised TO visit the
recruiting officer.
At meeting Of the League" two
weeks later the president was sur
prised to hear such meager reports as
TO actual results OF their efforts. The
recruiting stations did not give very
large figures. But after the meeting
had adjourned certain undertone re-
marks. whisperings and bushes re-
veRled the fact that there had been
some recruiting Tor Cupid, and Miss
Penrron and Miss Hall were receiving
ATTENTIONS from the fathers Of two
young men visited. while Mrs Frank.
the widow, was quite likely 20 marry
another papa. Ann rather proudly rc-
iternted the statement that she was
Immune"
John farson. the strange man. met
her on the way home eve got 20 tell
you something" he snid III l don't
III explode. love you. I want 20
marry you. Don't let's argue the point.
Just answer me"
"GoodncsRl" she laughed. II never
was W. surprised IN my lifei"
"Weilf be demanded.
Surprised at myself" she added,
because feel the same way"
The next day she asked him n young
T0wnicy had enlisted yet.
oh, he joined the army two months
ago" waa the cool reply.
Then Ann looked unaltcrable things.
But since she had been the cause OF
his deception what was there 20 ssy1
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