Middletown transcript., 1921-10-15
Verify
the Gods
BY A. w. PEACH.

g 1871, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
what do you think!'
Beth Mills lifted her blue, quizzical
eyes from the sewing in her lap, and
repeated the excited sentence of her
friend. "'What do I thinkY I shall
think you out of your mind if you
don't calm downi" /
well, you will be out Of your mind
when tell you that there's a man
going to marry you," Edith went on.
Beth smiled moderate smile. Il
hope there is-somewhere; and I'll
grab him if he meets specifications y
mo, really, Beth Blue Eyes, man
has taken out license to marry
you"
MY DEAR" the cool voice answered,
you are demented. The man
whom"
"But I'm not crazy. His name is
Marden Campbell"
II never heard of him-honest In
jun!"
"Never you mind, he knows you.
He has taken out license, and it
gives your name and address. You
know the Star is printing the names
of those after q license: and it must
be you, your name and address. See!"
She thrust the newspaper in front of
Beth.
Beth put aside the needle and calmly
took the paper. There was q mans
face, and under it a brief run of type
which said in effect that Marden
Campbell, young engineer who had
invented new mining process, was
stopping in the city long enough to
wed Miss Beth Mills, etc, and that
the honeymoon would be spent in
South America, where he was to be
employed.
''Mum-m-m, a honeymoon in South
America, and 1 have always longed TO
roam; verify the gods understand. Dad
used to say / ought to marry viking
or a hobo. I wonder which he u.s."
Beth commented.
Her staring friend burst out: "You
cOld-blOOded witch, do you know him?"
Edith, I never saw him, never
knew him, never heard of him!" was
the brief answer. "Ah, there's the
telephone; suppose"
A gay voice, touched with the tone
that is suggestive of manhood, strength
and determination, spoke to her. Did
she recognize him? she was asked
The spirit of mischief and daredevil
try that had been the bane of her
mothers life and the quiet Joy Of her
fathers, took possession of her. Yes,
she recognized him; yes, she would be
glad to see him. He could come right
ever.
When Beth reached her room the
open-mouthed Edith was there; and
in answer to the unspoken question
Beth replied: "He is coming. Now
we'll see what he's like!''
"Beth. you certainly have the nerve"
Edith exclaimed impolitely.
"No, my dear, he has-not 1; and
want to see what breed Of man
nc Is"
But when the excited friend had de-
parted, Beth felt her courage ooze a
hit. She picked up the newspaper and
looked long at the cut of the man who
expected to marry her. 1t was a
strong face-of that there was no
doubt; the face of a man accustomed
to have his own way.
Good heavens, suppose he has made
up his mind in some crazy way to
marry me; really believe he would.
He certainly looks like the kind dad
used to call he-man."
She made no special preparations
TO meet him, nor did she plan any
campaign; for she realized that such
situation might work out too many
ways to be arranged beforehand. She
had heard of men impulsive and i'm
petuous whose methods were not COM
mon ones; but this specimen-he was
unusual.
When word came that he was down.
stairs she was decidedly nervous for
a moment; then she laughed it off.
"Come, Beth, your people were pio-
neers, facers Of the unknown. Look
him overt"
She stepped into the room and closed
the door. He loomed before her, tall,
brown Of face, his eyes smiling. His
gaze was direct and frank-the sort
Of gaze she liked. He made no impul-
sive step toward her as she entered.
The smile vanished on his face.
pardon me, came to see Miss Beth
Mills"
She nodded and said: Il am Miss
Mills" and smiled as his face went to
blankness, astonishment, then to an
expression her keen eyes could not
fathom. Only she knew that behind
the face was a swift-working mind.
His face relaxed. "But-but this is
a deuce Of situation !"
She laughed, for the expression
was favorite with her father. She
stopped when she saw new interest
light in Campbell's face.
"But l certainly am engaged to