Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1919-05-29

w oht u NtSh dHu Hlhiiy one every
fortnight, So he cut his correspond.
nee in proportion, but he cared none
the less for Ethelyn. His affection
on the contrary, was Increased during
their separation.
Within Il year Charles made good"
In n real estate office in Grand Rapids
and decided the time was come when
he could provide for a wife. lie was
apprehensive, however, that his sweet
hearts apparent neglect indicated II
lapse in her love.
She's forgotten" he told himself
and referred again TO her last letter.
which seemed rather cold"
But Charles was desperate. By an
effort he suppressed the timidity that
grfpped him and wrote Il letter which,
though it consisted of only a few lines.
contained volumes. 1t read
Lets elope, Eth. I'm well fixed
now. It's the only way TO do it.
Come TO Grand Rapids on the 5:15
train Thursday and wen do the deed.
Let me know by telegram If you'll
come"
The next day he had all he could do
TO remain at his work in the Office.
Every time n messenger boy entered
Charles heart pounded like a pile
driver. Finally a b|lue-coated lad APP
preached the desk and Charles signed
with a trembling hand. The message
was:
"Tll be there"
SO they were married and took up
their abode in a hotel for n honey
moon Of n week. Charles could not
get away for a trip and Ethelyn agreed
that they had better save their money,
anyhow.
They were considering the dispatch
Of a somewhat defiant letter to their
parents when there came a knock at
the door of their room. Charles an
swered 1t and a bellboy ushered in a
lady and gentleman.
The newlyweds were taken aback.
but Charles mustered enough courage
to put his arm around his bride, re-
solved to stand up to the intruders
like a man.
whats the meaning of this" cried
the young groom's mother as she swept
into the room. That's what | want
TO know" growled Mr.. Ramsdell. fol-
lowing her, n glare IN his counte-
nance.
Charles spoke up bravely.
ut means we're married, that's
what. Will you congratulate us?"
The scowl left Mr.. Ramsdell's face
and a smile took its place.
swell, young man, you haven't a
thing on us. We're married ourselves
your mother and l."
Charles and his bride stood speech
less, dazed by the news.
'Why - err what - how's that?"
Charles finally stammered. 81 thought
you didn't like each other because of
Ethelyn and me-"
ifMr. Ramsdell laughed heartily and
~ wife Joined him.
Its very simple" he explained.
F"You see, l know human nature, and
I fixed it up with your mother to have
you and Ethelyn get married. / knew
you wouldn't do 1t If we urged 1t,
and was confident you would do it If
we objected. It's natural for young
folks to be that way.
"Besides, we wanted to give your
affection for each other a test. l even
went so far as TO intercept several of
the letters you wrote to Ethelyn, in
order to make your love the stronger.
It wa a mean thing to do, but all's
fair In love and war, and-well, is
there anybody who could conceive Of
this being WARP"
He reached into a grip which he err
ried and extracted a pack of letters,
bound with a rubber band.
Here's some letters that belong to
you, Ethelyn," he said, handing them
to her. 81 only stopped them | didn't
read them. There's only one l lid
read, and that was the special delivery
In which you were invited to Grand
Rapids TO your W wedding. You
were away when it came, SO | signed
for II, steamed open the envelope, d.
gested it's contents, then sealed it up
again. Then I decided it would be
nice to have 4 double wedding, and
Charles mother agreed. We came on
the same train with you, but kept out
of sight in the next coach. win you
congratulate us?"