Gunnison news-champion., 1920-06-04

Halstsat.
The persons were her father and
hIs mother. The miles were those That
lntsrysned between Harbor Springs.
a northern Michigan town. and Grand
Raplds. the furniture manufacturing
cen'sr Of the same state.
Charles had voted for the first time
IN hi life and Efhelyn had just passed
efghrs.n. when he decided he had been
single long enough. She agreed 10 heip
him ont OF his state of unwedded I'M
hapf Iness. when b. broached tn. sub
ject 10 her. and they stayed up TIL
they would have continued the discus
sion needless Of the fact that there
were things such hs clocks. and per
sons such as fathers and mothers, II
they had not heard Mr.. Ramsisll step
out Of bed on the floor above and
clear his throat. This brought Charles
out ot his seni-trance and he sudden
wonderfully invigorating and that his
iungs needed some Of II.
THE next morning Mr.. Ramsdeli
called his daughter into his study and
took the negative and winning side Of
the debate: Resolved. That n young
lady. Just past eighteen. ought 10 leap
into matrimony with the only young
man she has ever known. especially
when he has no financial prospects
whatever
Etheiyn argued In vain that she
never could care for any young man
but Charles, and she pleaded tearfully
and at some length. but her father
said he was looking out only for her
welfare when he forbade her going
about with Charles any longer.
About the same time Mrs. Halstead
vas having a similar interview with
her son in the house next door; for
the Halsteads and Ramsdells were
neighbors. When Ethelyn was q child
her mother had died, and Mr.. Hal
stead had departed from this earth
beforo his son had mastered a vocnbu-
inry OF fifteen words. Ethelyn and
Charles had gone TO school together
when they were In the lower grades
as well as In high school. and he had
been graduated only one year ahead
Of her.
Charles had not made a coniidant
OF his mother in the matter OF his
love nralr. but she had kept an eye on
him and intuition. coupled with his
long absence from home on that i'm
portant night. told her that the cli-
max hnd been reached.
-what can you know about lover
she demanded. You're too young. I
know yop are Of age md ought To he
capable of judging for yourself, hut
just th- same I'm going to interfere
for your own sake"
The young people knew very well
that they could not give each other
up. especially since their affection
seemed To Increase 100 per cent. after
they were forbidden each others 90
ciety. So they met surreptitiously
when opportunity offered and when
these opportunities did not come suf-
ticienily frequent OF their own accord
they were manufactured.
But Charles was wasting his time.
and he realized II. He had no pro
fession. no business, and II he WIS to
marry he must find n way to carve .
career or at least obtain a job that
would provide for two. Furthermore,
he felt ashamed that his mother should
continue supporting him out of the
comfortable but not inexhaustible sum
his father had left her.
A. last he decided to leave his
home town and seek his fortune I'm a
larger city. To his surprise his mother
consented. even encouraged him In 'he
idea.
Il dislike having you leave home.
son." she said. "but realize II is for
the best My sister Will come and
live with me. Yes. II is for the best"
their plans for the future. After once
bringing up the subject of matrimony
EtheIyn never mentioned her inten-
tions to her father, for Mr. Ramsdeil's
refusal to consent to "any such nom
sense had been firnness itself.
Charles had met like failure In his
attempts to PERSUADE his mother that
f.ttIetyu WIS lile SlIi lbf MN 81 iii'y
continued their clandestine meetings
Vecretly rejoicing In the risk and uiys-
,ery attached to them.
When Charles left home he wrote
regularly three times week to Ethe-
Iyn. and at first he received letter for
letter In reply.
"At least they don't care II we
write.r he said. That's some graft
fication."
But her answers became less fire.
quent. He ccrt.nued his three let
ters q week. br, the replies diminished
to one q week and finally one every
fortnight. So he cut his correspond
ence in proportion. but he cared none
the less for Ethelyn. HIS affection,
on the contrary. was Increased during
their separation.
Withia year Charles "made good"
in 4 re6l estate ONCE in Grand Rapids