The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-08-04
A MATTER OF
PRECAUTION
By NJ. M. WILLIAMS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TITS your manner, Marjorie-s0 dis
tant and stand-offish. A man needs
encouragement II newell, II you ex-
pect him to get anywhere" the very
new Mrs. Gordon said to her maid Of
honor, with the accent Of supreme wis
dom possible only to supreme ignor-
ance.
Marjorie's answer was soft
chuckle. Alicia's role Of experienced
matron diverted her amazingly. Step
sisters, close friends Notwithstanding,
when Frank Gordon had come incoming
after her, she had engineered the
transfer Of his facile affections to her
housemate SO deftly, 30 subtly, neither
Of the newlyweds suspected her agen-
cy. She had foreseen how it would be
Alicia with her liquid nature. taking
form from what 1t fell into, would try
to live up to the Gordon dignity, part
ly in loving obedience to her Frank,
but more through her own aspirations.
As first fruit, she must marry of
Marjorie-she would miss her, OF
course-but solitude Of two was en-
ticing In the, honeymoon year even
the est-beloved terium quid crowds a
dovecote. no matter how roomy.
you are really pretty" Alicia went
on patronizingly. "Prettier than am"
this without conviction. But then
you are older-twenty-three almost
besides" stopping there embarrassed,
and looking away.
Besides, I'm almost pauper with a
fine feeling for the fine things money
buys" Marjorie supplemented, not bit
terly, but with darkening eyes. maybe
you are right. Maybe ought to be ad-
vertising myself in the object matri-
mony' class. But. somehow, just
can't see it. Lazy as am, work looks
better to me-"
"MarjOrie!" Alicia exploded. "YOu
know that's out of the question. Frank
| will never allow 1t. People will say,
oh, dreadful things. We must consid-
er our position. But you are joking
you must be. There is nothing you can
do
II am a mighty competent cook,
Marjorie said, slowly, pulling herself
together after the explosion, which had
| hardened her nebulous consciousness
Of need into something imperative
Until the moment of speaking, she hat
never thought Of her cooking as al
asset. Now, by lightning calculation
she reckoned 1t, plus bond or two,
| few sticks Of furniture, and RICH
good will, as provision, wholly ade
| quate for independence.
The house was Alicia's-work ther'
was impossible. Further the country
side already was suffering plague o
tea rooms, wayside inns and booths o
home made dainties, aimed at motor
lists beginning to be boOth-shy. Blu
somewhere there was place for her
she must find 1.-THE sooner the better
| Next morning Alicia read tearfully I
scrawl which ran: "Don't fret, honey
gone to seek my fate-not sure We
whether it will turn out fortune or
husband. Tell folks what you please
you can make them believe anything
you lie so deliciously. You'll hear frOr
me through Judy-she knows every
thing-and won't tell. Be good to YOU
self and keep Frank in his place unit
come back. Love and all the rest c
1t, from the Wicked Marjorie"
Judy knew everything, through ha'
ing been the door of hope.
"Dem Warrens people ober to Pin
Hill done come we're tn leern what w
all dom. and wus ragarin' an chargi
case dee couldn't git no cook ter sta
wild um--not since Jincy, Judy's siste
had been wrested from their kitche
by sudden matrimony. oh, yessum, d.
paid all right-'most anything WI
asked UNI. But de ole lady she WI
cranky as rams horn, even befOh 81
fell and broke so many bones. Den I
two trained nurses and dat dar rar
rod-legged man, her son, even wusse
Dey wus sho'ly too much fer any pla
wukin' CONAN. Maybe err lady moug
stand UNI. Miss Mahje better run 'lol
ober dar, light an make begagemeI
'pendin' on Judy ter send on her su
; case-and keep her mouf shet
everybody"
Marjorie nodded-she was beyo
speech. But she Rugged Judy tigl
: and ran away trying hard to whist
Six hours later on the edge Of 81
down, she was in the Warren kitchs
saying to herself as she glanc
around: Tuesday Of creation we
: couldn't have been patch on thi
|. The ramrod-legged son had fetched /
to the door. waved helpless hand
: the spectacle within, then vanish
!. murmuring he would make 1t VOL
her while to stay.
Faith my move mountains, but
gin ignorance can give 1t three In