The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-11-01
q HE DAILY
HORT STORY
Managers Of Matrinony.

etssg-=S,i9 49, - - -
BY r. RAY BAKER.
Copyright 1919 by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicate.)
matrimonial manager for her
~ family, Mrs. Glendale Chester
ton had every reason to feel
proud Of her record.
Through their mothers efforts, 8
OF the Chesterton hopefuls had their
hopes realized. Husbands with conf
Portable piles OF coin to their respec-
tive credits had been found, lured and
trapped. They had to be lured and
trapped because Of the daughters
vivid unattrsctiyeness. AS visions Of
beauty, Nthe three Shesterton girls
would have made good cement mixers
But Mrs. chesterton's tfoubles were
net ever There remained one more
daughter, Lucia, by name, to be mar
Srted off before the mother would he
content. And Lucia was the great
est problem OF them all.
Not because CT her looks. Far from
1t. In some way Lucia had escaped
the blight Of LONELINESS that had
smstten 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 re
sembled rope, while Lucia's was raw
ea black, with tints Of FURNISHED gold.
Her sisters eyes were the color Of
mud puddles. Lucia's were brown,
deep, mysterious pools. Their chins
were like hatchets; Lucia's was grace
fully rounded; their lips were thick
and pink; Lucia's were thin and red;
their necks like, buffaloes, hers like
a swans; their bodies thin as rails,
Luoia's thin like a bird.
But Lucia was lecalcitrant. A nun
Der Of husbands had been selected Tor
her and willing ones, too-but she
spurned them ALL
Don't want to get married" she
affirmed. Wont get married, that's
ALL"
Mrs. Chesterton was ingenious but
all her ingenuity was wasted on Lu-
cha. The latter saw through her trick
When a prospective husband called
and Mamma Chesterton graciously re-
tired from the library leaving the
young couple alone, Lucia would pro-
pose a stroll or ride. When horse
back party contrived by Mrs. Chester
toms suggestion to leave Lucia anu
"a Young man alone, the girl would
whip I'D her steed and aporehend the
rest Of the riders. She would never
sit out dance or walk in the woods.
For three years Mrs. Chesterton
mad vertically wooded her own daugh-
ter thinking the latter would caplta-
late and become the bride of some
nice rich young man. But Lucia
was now twenty two and more ada
nlent than ever.
mo USE" she would say. u Just
won't get married. enjoy myself 100
much being single, No man is going
boss me around"
About this time young Adam Forth
gfyer. who went away in quest Of
(. health, returned from a three year So
1curn/ 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 MS
wealth caused Mrs. Chesterton to de-
eide on Adam for a son in law. she
had a conference with Mrs. Forthg1V-
er. and the latter acquiesced. 1t was
to their mutual social advantage.
"But it's no use," said Mrs. Forth
giyer, 81 preached the subject OF
marriage to Adam. In fact, might
say | had your daughter in view;
Won know they used to be such good
friends But he nearly ate me up.
and told me that he was not realy'
and would not be for many years, 20
take wife, and when he was ready
he'd select one without any help.
They had frequent confabs on the
subject, and one day Mrs. FOrthgivef
after serving notice by telephone, bus
ted into Mrs. Chesterton's home with
the announcement that she had an
idea
Mrs. Chesterton, having visited En-
gland, had the afternoon habit, and
She at once ordered tea served. Over
The table they Matched up the plot.
The plot was simple. In fact, young
Adam Forthgiver was party to it
was really its author, although ne
was unaware Of it. Adam had de-
cided to go hunting in the Michigan
Z NORTH woods. t'I've always wanted to
tramp through those forests in win
.ter."she said. "Its ideal in the sum-
tlier and / know I'd like it in the win
ter when there's snow
Mrs. Forthgivers plan was for Mrs.
chesterton to- send Lucia to the same
Eeriitory. without, Of course, appris-
IN her OF the fact that Adam would
IS there. The suggestion was receiv
"a with enthusiasm.
sJust the thing" she exclaimed as
sic drained her second cup. "Luca1
~ often expressed a desire for some 11,e
Iich winter frolic in the woods. III
Ell Mrs. Albert to go With her.
dam had selected Brdtus, a town
,oiith Of Mackinaw City for his head
Saartefs. ''There's hotel there call
"a re purple House which serves
ne best dinners in the world, ne
had explained. "And when get III.
= ~ 49,. ,eSfyt0ey oan hike to town