The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-04-01
NOT BY PROXY
BY KITTY PARSONS.

/ lUlUk bI our UtllN Iiht ii'N ~ i''-Ns
elther-it sounds 100 awful
But II isn't. mother. If the Dntcl
won't allow unmarried women to lant
In their colonies, aad n proxy marriage
win cover the law Ill have to hay'
one. They Won't let Franz come here
now that he's in government service
ard I've got to teen my promise
cant Wait my Ioc.er.
"very we'd. 'hobc, IFS your own fu
neral Wedding. LIQUID say. But
must say | don't thilk his cablcgrams
on the subject have been too ardent
Phehc flushed slightly but ignored
the thrust
"Tho proxy wedding will take place
in two weeks. 50 suppose I'll have
to find bridegroom pretty soon she
announccd caImly
"Whn wants 81 hrGcgroom?" asked
n Young nlar VITO had ius coue TO the
,luor Of the living ro5m Your father
told me rou we're ~, hore and ! see I'm
Just in time for something, What can
I do. pea,e?"
AS, plinhrT langhed Mrs. Eurn-
ham. sn'ing hHuds win him cor
dta'Dy. "i'l leave vou 10 give her
so''o good advice shr wont listen 10
prr."
"W"ll Miss Phoh,, did you say you
wanted hrido9rocpT he venturcd.
not Io~iuG much time.
Il want u proxy one Captain Sea-
ton. and think Won would make a
very good enc. Men ayc 80 scarce in
war times too. that Fin lucky TO get
such q nice one.
Il don1 care much about playing
second Gddlc. hrt I'll h"lp you out if
can agreed Seaton. whats all
the joke. anyway?
ooh. it isn't u joke" cried Phebe
quickly. and her eyes filed with sud
den tears "I have to he married and
20 to Sumatra in two weeks and need
bridegroom dreadfuIly! Mother
doesn't want me TO do it, but I've got
to--I promised him five years ago"
"Who's the lucky man, asked Sea
ton. You must care a lot about him
to do all tllis. DO you love him?"
~ don't know-of course ! did-but
lately I'm not so sure. He says he
loves me-
81 believe him. I do myself
Phebe caught her breath in sob'
"Oh. please don't joke" she begged
him choklngIy.
I'm not Joking Phebe! I've cared
for you ever since the first day you
came to camp to sec your brother
ITS almost more than a man can
bear. but love you--love you--lovc
you" he whispered.
Phebc ran quickly up the stairs to
her room. whore she stayed in solitary
confinement FOR some hours.
The next morning ut the breakfast
table, Mrs Burnham handed Phebe
package,
"Do open II, dear think it's pho
tograbh from Franz"
The girl ripped open the package
neryouSly, and pulled out the contents.
II was really picture Of her iiance,
but she did not turn IT. over to her
mother for Inspection. as that Lady OK
pected her to do Instead she threw
1t hack in Tie paper. and with Il few
words Of excuse, hurried from the
room.
Safely locked in her own room she
again took up the picture and looked
nj II for long time in silence. After
the inspection was ever She placed it
on her dressing table. face downward,
and throwing herself on the bed. hulSt
into a paroxysm Of hysterical laughter.
"Oh. oh. oh :" she gur;led. He's
fat and bearded and looks like the wild
man from Borneo more than my Franz.
He's perfect stranger-an awful
strauger'
Half laughing and half crying, she
went to her desk and tore off a cable
gram. 1t was long one, but evidently
a great relief to her mind.
1--WE been wrong, Franz" she wrote
him. I'm not the girl for you at all.
| must have changed and you'd never
know me. I'm not domestic and I'm
Thin and scrawny and quite gray. Tell
nc you have found someone over there
10 take my place. You deserve the
best. Wire at once.
"PHEBE."
Two endless days dragged by, and
hen the answer came. Phebe seemed
o like it immensely, although 1t
showed no signs Of a broken heart
81 compliment your wisdom and fol-
ow yonr advice. l realized we were
lot suited to each other and your
words release me. There is a young |
ady, since you ask me- and shall |
uarry her at once. My undying re-
poet and gratitude. FRANZ"
Seaton came that afternoon.
Enter the proxy bridegroom" he !
dramatically.
Il shan't need YOU in that capacity
'hebe returned smiling.
Indeed! Is the wedding post
'oned?" he asked blankly.
Phebe turned her back on him and
ooked out of the window. Then she
hot Il bolt over her shoulder.
Not il you still want to be first
ddle"
And he Immediately swept her into
lis arms without single word, which
eemed to help her great deal.