Graham guardian., 1918-10-11
NOT BY PROXY
BY KITTY PARSONS.

Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)
"You can't 20 to Sumatra, Phebe--
It's ridiculous! I couldn't bear Ito
think of your being married by proxy
either-it sounds too awful"
But II isn't, mother. II the Dutch
won't allow unmarried women to land
In their colonies, and a proxy marriage
will cover the law, I'll have to have
one. They won't let Franz come here
now that he's in government service,
and I've got to keep my promise-I
can't wait any longer"
"Very well, Phebe, It's your own fu-
neral-wedding should say. But I
must say don't think his cablegrams
on the subject have been too ardent"
Phebe flushed slightly. but ignored
the thrust.
"The proxy wedding will take place
In two weeks. so suppose I'll have
to find a bridegroom pretty soon," she
announced calmly.
"Who wants a bridegroom" asked
young man who had just come to the
door Of the living room. "Your father
told me you were up here and see I'm
Just in time for something. What can
I do, pleasef
ASK P.lebe," laughed Mrs. Burn
ham. shaking hands with him cor
daily. Tll leave you to give her
some good advice-she won't listen to
me-"
"Well, Miss Phebe, did you say you
wanted a bridegroom" he ventured.
not losing much time.
II want a proxy one, Captain Sea-
ton. and I think you would make a
very good one. Men are SO scarce in
war times, too, that I'm lucky to get
such a nice one"
II don't care much about playing
second fiddle, but I'll help you out If
I can," agreed Seaton. "What's al
the joke, anyway"
"Oh, 1t isn't a joke, cried Phebe
quickly, and her eyes filled with sud
den tears. II have to be married and
60 to Sumatra In two weeks and need
bridegroom dreadfully! Mother
doesn't want me to do it, but I've got
to- promised him five years ago"
"Whos the lucky manT asked Sea-
ton. "You must care lot about him
to do all this. Do you love himr'
II don't know--of course did-but
lately I'm not so sure. He says he
loves me-"
"I believe him; do myself"
Phebe caught her breath In Sob
"Oh, please don't joke" she begged
him chokingly.
"I'm not joking. Phebel I've cared
for you ever since the first day you
came to camp to see your brother"
Its almost more than q man can
hear. but love you-loye you-love
you" he whispered.
Phebe ran quickly up the stairs to
her room, where she stayed in solitary
confinement for some hours.
The next morning at the breakfast
table, Mrs. Burnham handed Phebe q
package.
''Do open 1t, dear, think It's pho
tograph from Franz"
The girl ripped open the package
nervously, and pulled out the contents.
It was really picture of her fance,
but she did not turn It over to her
mother for inspection, as that lady ex-
pected her to do. Instead. she threw
It back in the paper, and with few
words Of excuse, hurried from the
room.
Safely locked in her own room she
again took up the picture. and looked
at It for a long time In silence. After
the inspection was over she placed II
on ner dressing table, face downward,
and throwing herself on the bed. burst
into paroxysm of hysterical laughter.
"Oh, oh, OH" she gurgled. Hes
fat and bearded and looks like the wild
man from Borneo more than my Franz.
He's perfect stranger-an awful |
stranger"
Half laughing and half crying. she |
went to her desk and tore of a cable
gram. It was long one. but evidently |
a great relief to her mind.
"Tve 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
ne 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
% like II immensely, although II
showed no signs of broken heart"
"I compliment your wisdom and fol-
ow your advice. I realized we were
lot suited to each other and your
words release me. There is a young
ady, since you ask me, and shall
marry her at once. My undying ~
pect and gratitude. FRANZ"
Seaton came that afternoon.
"Enter the proxy bridegroom" he
dramatically.
81 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 a bolt over her shoulder.
mot II you still want to be first
lddle."