Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-04-11
HELP WANTED
BY CATHERINE cRANMER.

|
logical hobby"
And If you don't marry It means
that you'll become the worst of all
bores-an unattached old man with a
tiresome hobby" Mrs. Antics snapped
her knitting needles impatiently.
"Why, John, even at forty you are be-
coming dangerously set in your ways"
You're merciless, auntie; I'm actual
, ~ afraid to go with you to your Mays
vile cottage lest you handcuff me to
some village queen and march me off
to the justice of the peace"
"And it might be well for you If 1
did, too. However, the thing I have al
ready done is to have your trunk of
nshing tackle and toys expressed in ad-
vance with my household boxes. That
leaves only our steamer trunks and
hand luggage to bother with when we
CO."
THANK you; It's really because
you're such an efficiency expert in oil
you undertake that I SILVER when you
try to induce me to marry"
Maysville was always enlivened by
the coming Of Mrs. Antes to her sum-
mer home in its shady suburbs. Her
coming always meant one or more
morning porch parties for matrons and
at least one garden party for Maysville
maidens. And when these maidens
learned Of the presence in her home Of
her bachelor nephew, they made due
note Of the possibilities thereby in
volved, and made so many friendly
overtures that the nephew took to the
river bank daily, whether he wanted to
fish or to read anthropological lore.
"The persistent cordially of Mays
vile leaves us scarcely quiet evening
alone" said John one evening. follow
ing the departure of two overdressed
girls and their ambitious mother.
~ confess that it is preferable some
times to have Onees house all to ones
SELF" said Mrs. Antes.
The next morning John went off
early for days fishing, but he was
annoyed to find his favorite haunt I'M
der big elm occupied. He had spent
so many mornings there that he had
come to regard the messy seat on the
rocks as his personal property, but
here was an intruder. and, worse luck,
q girl. He stopped only a few feet
from her, but she did not turn her head
the slightest bit. The truth was she
had a fascinating nibbie at her hook,
but John didn't notice that. With a
quick movement the girl leaned slight
ly forward. gave her bamboo pole a
whirl and landed four-pound black
bass directly at Johns feet.
"Bravo" called John promptly, all
annoyance at the Intrusion having been
replaced by admiration for the intru-
der.
"Not a bad beginning, Is 1T" The
smiling response came in a voice Of
natural sweetness.
In disposing Of the foundering fish,
John and the girl fell into easy con-
versation which they afterward con-
tinued desultorily and in low tones as
they sat side by side with their lines
thrown far into the stream.
''The quiet beauty here only empha-
sizes ones conception of the chaos in
France" said John, after rather long
silence.
"Yes, and makes me question my
right to stay here even for an hour
when I might be helping somewhere"
There was yearning emphasis on the
word ''helping."
"As I've sat here day after day."
said John, haltingly, 'Tve thought out
plan Of what I hope to do. Wonder
II you'd tell me what you think Of it?"
"Oh, do tell me about 1t ! I'm so glad
you're going to do something"
So he told her Of his plan to open his
mothers old colonial country house,
which for the ten years since her
death had been unoccupied, and make
it a home for as many war orphans as
1t would hold. Then they discussed 1t
with enthusiasm until she had to go to
keep a luncheon engagement. Only as
she disappeared did John realize that
he had no assurance of meeting her
again, and he was so unhappy over the
possibility and went slowly back to
his aunt's home, entering the grounds
by way OF the orchard, and the house
by way Of q side porch.
"Come here, you tramp!" called Mrs.
Antes from the dining room. II shall
present you to my guest just as you
are"
And John, obeying her summons, was
In the dining room doorway before he
dreamed that the guest was this charm
ing companion Of an hour before and
that her name was Grace Morton.
"My nephew, Mr.. Wells, Miss Nor
ton," said Mrs. Antes, and was a little
puzzled that both of them blushed so
noticeably. "Hurry into presentable
clothes, John, and have luncheon with
us. You must tell Miss Morton all
about your plans for the orphans
home, and, as she is just home from
completing a kindergarten course, I'm
sure she can give you many sugges-
TONS"
Nothing would please me so much
as to have Miss Morton's help In work
| ing out my plans" said John In tone