The Yale expositor., 1921-03-10
A Man of System
By RALPH HAMILTON
70. 1870. West-rn N-wsp.pel


systematic young man aud hal ma
lured early az I" the practral issues
OF life. His selection Of DORM Mercer
aS social companion showed lean
Ing toward the more serious things
Of life. for he might have had his
choice OF anyone oi a score ~ young
ladies', for he dressed we'll, his habits
were irreproa enable and he was saw
ing and thrifty.
Miss Doria Mercer was termed AN
old maid, although under twenty-five,
Her sister, Agatha. was "A few years
older. 1t happened that for a time u
great friend of Walters named Ran
dali Perry seemed to have decided
prediction for Miss Agatha, and II
looked as though the two young men
would eventually marry the sisters
However, Petry went away from
BrOmpton and Walters to new city
position, and hope faded in the hearts
Of the good ladies'. II they ever enter
tanned 1t in the way of love.
Very decOrOus and almost straight
laced In her ideas was Miss DOria,
and Walters respected her for her
preJudices and opinions. for they were
sincere. She grew To like his ways,
which were always definite, sensible
and Trustworthy. and got used tn his
tersp manner OF speech and action.
He never limited ut such thing rs
sentiment, but the day he left Bromp-
ton, he said: Miss Mercer am go
Ing away to earn my place i'm the
world. When I have done so | am
coming back to ask you to marry me,
for | consider You the most cstimable
lady | know. Think it over, II you
Will, and hope you will he ready with
favorable answer"
Dorla blushed like rose and nut-
tered and was nearly overcome. She
knew the ways Of Walters, however,
who bad spoken as calmly and I'M.
emOtlonally as though they had mere
~ discussed the weather.
II shall certainly think Of what
you say" her heart prompted her TO
murmur, aud thus they parted.
Now by series Of circumstances
Walters and Petrs drifted together in
the city and became roommates and
friends.
1t was at tho phd " two years that
Walters returned to his home town.
He put Up at the one hotel IT the
place and leisurely proceeded to call
Upon Doris In the did regular way,
One day this queer makeup of HIT.
tnsnltt stopped squsrelt In front of
1ewelrt store while he was walking
With Doris
ut Just occurred TO me to ask you
question he said Ia his ordinary
calm way. Miss Mercer, will YOU he.
come my Wife,"
He had waited two years to ask the
Question The Hnswer came from qtiv,
rrtDg lips and boria was lreadfrlt
embarrassed. or course il was Eyes. =
"Then let MS go in and buy an Ell
gagement ring" proceeded this mar.
vel Of composure, which they did
"A month from today quietly, with
out Ostentatioh or publicity woud
like 10 take another walk with YOU, -
resumed Walters. "Retter bring
Agatha and | will have gentleman
friend with me ] have sent for. We
VIII get married then and proceed of
our honeymoon ut once."
YES, Phillip" spoke Dora merkly
modeslly, unable tn oppose the man
datory though gentle ways of this he
ing NJ clearhcss and system.
What strange, strange man"
commented Agatha Mercer when hcr
sister had told her or tho episode.
81 don't know about that" replied
Dora. HE certainly says what he
means"
Pint no regular wedding, or ri least
Information as to it's details"
The day was named by Walters Il
month after that and upon it's auSniC-
ious morning he appeared at the Mer-
Ger home. A gentleman accompanied
him. Agathas heart iuttcrcd as she
recognized Randall Pctry.
'You know Mr.. Perry" said Wal
ters to her. "As old friends you will
probably he glad tn see that Dorla
and | GO through the ceremony cor
rectly."
"Ah. delighted nodded petry with
assurance. aud remarked how well and
attractive his old love looked.
They walked on until they neared a
church. Walters LED the way up to ITS
open front doorway.
let us GO In" he said, and they
went.
"All ready for US, 1t seems" he
added, as It was patent to all that
everything had been arranged for the
ceremony.
It was gone through with, and they
came cut as quietly as they had en-
tered.
I'VE have to catch train oh
served Walters, consulting his watch
Il will see you in the city when re-
turn
Pctry waved his hand and the hap
by welded pair were gone.
Agatha and Petry stood, exchang-
inE glsnces. Then irrepressLbly the
grave humor Of the situation over