Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-03
DAILY NOVELETTE,
SUSAN THE THIRD
UDEAR me, what problem that child
BY Mildred Lavoie

"DEAR me- what a problem that child !
- Isl" Susan the first, grandaunt
of Susan the third, often lamented to
Susan the second, aunt of Susan the
third.
They had expected to find nice,
pretty, little girl who idled about in
hammock devouring chocolates and
reading love stories. But instead, they
found rather plain girl, a trihe over
the average height, who wore fiat heels
and plain, tailored clothes, and who
positively refused to be pretty.
However, the two Susans Immediately
hunted the place for a suitable hus-
band for their rather Indifferent niece.
Jimmie is such a nice boy, my
DEAR" Susan the first would say. He
comes from the very best of people and
has plenty of income to make him inde-
pendent. Now, do be nice to him.
But although Susan the third did try
to be nice to Jimmie, somehow they
were not suited TO each other. Then
Arthur came, then Frank and finally
! George but it all ended the same way
Susan was bored by them, and they
were bored by Susan.
So Susan the third turned her back
entirely upon society and announced to
the family that she intended to run the
farm.
"Farming!" exclaimed the mid Vic
torian Susan the first. ''Why, that's a
mans job"
"Why, that's shocking!' calculated
Susan the second, who, by the way,
was a relic of the Pompadour period.
But the two Mortified Susans could
not alter Susan's determination. In
due time she was running her own farm
by the day and reading literature on
farming by night.
But Susan the third soon discovered
that she needed n superintendent, SO a
young man of refined appearance and
fairly good education came from a
nearby agricultural college to fill the
position. He was very business
like person, and had very little to say
except ON business.
And because the Aunt Susans had
little else to do, they framed up a love
affair between the third Susan and her
superintendent.
One day it became necessary for
Susan the farmer and her superintend- :
ent to go to town on a business trip.
On the way back they had many break
downs, and it was nearly midnight be-
fore they returned OF course, the two
elder Susans were up waiting for her.
"Ah, my dear ~ cried the first as
her niece entered the room followed by
her superintendent, Mr.. Dodd. Come
here, you young rascal, and tell lis all
about it"
Yes chimed in Susan the second.
You naughty, naughty girl! But l
knew that this was coming when /
watched you both around the place."
Susan the third stared at her aunts
IN amazement, at first not quite com
pretending what they were saving.
Then suddenly the true situation came
to- light. Without word, except a
scornful little laugh at the absurd sup
position, she hastened off to her room.
But the next day the rumor that she
and Mr.. Dodd were engaged haG spread
all over the town.
She was embarrassed, so was Mr..
Dodd but they both stood the test well,
81 am sorry" she told him. "But
you see how absurd it all is? However.
it would shock my aunts too much if
they knew the truth SO for their sakes
we must be decetful, for a while, at
least"
And as the summer faded into autumn
Mr.. Dodd announced the fact that he
would soon have to return to college,
where he had special class in agri-
culture.
II shall be sorry to see you co.
Susan told him, ''anG very sorry about
our funny make believe engagement
But l shall not hold you bound to any
thing so ridiculous any longer" AND
she handed him the little ring which
he had given her to seal their make
believe engagement.
Susan" he said, IT have wanted tc
tell you right along that 1 have not
J been make believing. 1 was really sin
cere about the whole affair, but o
course l knew you couldn't want fell
low like me. / am plain and common
and just ordinary, while you are clever
| capable and self efficient. I am yer,
glad to have taken part in even 1
make believe affair which involved you
And / shall never forget you"
Then if you don't want to you dom
have to- calmly replied Susan. g!
once thought YOU were all business ant
agriculture, but now 1 know different
r II often hoped you felt that way, tina
is, / wished it wasn't make beliey,
l affair at ALL"
"You do Do you really mean it?'
E 81 certainly do
"Then our engagement may be con
: tinued, may it not?"
4 Eyes, that is, provided you promis
not to tell my punts about the frs
+, proposal. 1t would shock them t
a death if they knew that they did tn
} proposing"
d IAN right, then, I promise
The next complete novelette,
biscuits