Vernon Parish Democrat., 1919-11-29

ord.
Through their mothers efforts
three of the Chesterton "hopefus'
had their hopes realized. Husbands
with comfortable piles of coin to their
respective credits had been found,
lured and trapped. They had TO be
lured and trapped because of the
daughters vivid unattractiveness. AS
visions of beauty, the three Chester
ton girls would have made good ce-
ment mixers.
But Mrs. ChestertOn's troubles were
mot over. There remained one more
daughter, Lucia by name, to be mar
ried off before the mother would be
content. And Lucia was the greatest
problem of them all.
Not because of her looks. Far from
it. In some way Lucia had escaped
the blight of LONELINESS that had smit-
ten the rest of the family. In fact,
those who knew said she made up for
the rest of them.
According to these authorities, the
other Chesterton girls had hair that
resembled rope, while Lucia's was
raven black, with tints of unburnished
gold. Her sisters eyes were the col
or of mud puddles. Lucia's were
brown, deep, mysterious pools. Their
ehins were like hatchets : Lucia's was
gracefully rounded; their lips thick
and pink, Lucia's thin and red their
necks like buffaloes', hers like
swans; their bodies thin as rails, Lu-
cia's slim like bird.
But Lucia was recalcitrant. A num-
Der of husbands had been selected for
her-and willing ones, too-but she
spurned them all.
Don't want to get married" she
affirmed. "Won't get married, that's
ALL"
Mrs. ChestertOn was ingenious, but
all her ingenuity was wasted on Lucia.
The latter saw through her tricks.
When a prospective husband called
and Mamma Chesterton graciously
retired from the library, leaving the
young couple alone Lucia would pro-
pose a stroll or a ride. When a horse
back party contrived by Mrs. Chester
tons suggestion to leave Lucia and a
young man by themselves, the girl
would whip up her steed and appre-
hend the rest of the riders. She would
never sit out dance or walk in the
woods.
For three years Mrs. Chesterton had
veritably wooed her own daughter,
thinking the latter finally would capit-
ulate and become the bride of some
nice rich young man. But Lucia was
now twenty-five and more adamant
than ever.
mo use" she would say. 81 just
won't get married. No man is going
to boss me around"
About this time young Adam Forth
giver, who went away in quest of
health, returned from a three-years'
soujourn in the West, where he became
robust and made money raising cattle.
This change for the better in his
health-and also in the matter of his
wealth-caused Mrs. Chesterton to de-
eide on Adam for a son-in-law. She
had a conference with Mrs. Forthgiver,
and the latter acquiesced. 1t was to
their mutual social advantage.
''But it's no use," said Mrs Forth
giver 81 broached the subject of mar
riage to Adam. In fact, I might say l
had your daughter in view; you know
they used to be such good friends. But
he nearly ate me up, and told me he
was not ready, and would not be for a
good many years, to take a wife, and
when he was ready he'd select one
without any help"
They had frequent confabs on the
subject, and one day Mrs. Forthgiver
after serving notice by telephone
hustled into Mrs. Chesterton's home
with the announcement that she had
an idea.
Mrs. Chesterton, having visited Eng.
land, had the afternoon habit, and she
at once ordered tea served.
The plot was simple In fact
young Adam Forthgiver was a party
to twas really its author-al
though he was unaware of it. Adam
had decided to go hunting in the
Michigan north woods. "Tve always
wanted to tramp through those for
ests in the winter" he had said. "It's
ideal in the summer and I know rd
like it when there's snow"
Mrs. Forthgiver's plan was for Mrs
Chesterton to send Lucia to the same
territory, without, of course. appris
ing her Of the fact that Adam wOult
be there. The suggestion was re
ceived with enthusiasm.
"JuSt the thing" she exclaimed
as she drained her second cup. 'Lu
cia has often expressed a desire fol
some such winter froIie in the woods
I'll get Mrs. AIberts to go with her"
Adam had selected Brutus, towr
south of Mackinaw City, for hii
headquarters. ''There's a hotel ther,
called the Purple house which serves
the best dinners In the world" HI
had explained. "and when Iget tiret