Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1921-04-08
AS TWlG IS BENT
BY EMMA STRONG.


Catch him while he is young and
train him In the way you would have
him go; then you will have husband
after your own heart. Should the
marriage prove failure, you will
know you picked the wrong man"
Lila Fox looked up from Madame
Mlxirs Advice to the Lovelorn," just
In time to see Winnie Weeks, radiant
bride OF week, pass by with her hand
some young husband.
Winnie was only eighteen and a
beauty, so Lila. twenty-nlne and mere
ly good-looking, really seemed old and
ugly to him.
II have good mind to try It." she
murmured, and whether she really
meant it or not, fnte seemed ready to
help her. for at the dance Of the
Neighborhood club that evening Ian
son Grey persisted in dancing with
her and her only.
Though a trihe dismayed at his
youth, he being only seventeen and
high school pupil. the advice to ''catch
him young" kept recurring, and when
he. with fiattering humility. asked Il
he might walk home with her, she Just
naturally said yes"
1t was only a ten-mlnute walk, but
before they had gone half the distance
his arm was around her slim waist.
his eyes on hers, and he was murmur-
ing "0h. this Is what I've wanted
since my first dance with you. just
love you" And though she was scan
dallzed at the absurdity of this kids"
making love to her. "catch him young
and train him" once more bobbed up.
and she decided to accept him.
Arrived home. she invited him to
"just for a little lunch" but the fee
box yielded only tomato soup and cot
tage cheese.
II love tomato SOUP" Lanson ex-
claimed in the same ardent tones he
had said he loved her. Bring It out
crackers and cheese.
1t was case Of rushing" after
that. Lila had always had struggling
admirers, who called a few times and
then lost interest. The truth was
that her breezy manner. which fasci-
mated at first and made getting ac-
quainted" easy, had seemed to be too
bossy" on more intimate acquaint-
ance.
But Lanson did not lose interest.
He came every evening. proposed
marriage. And when she laughingly
asked, How could you support a
wife? You must be foollng," he grew
very indignant, and "I'll show you"
he declared; "you don't care for me
or you'd marry me right away"
"But married people have to pay
their expenses, and how could We do
thatf"
Easily enough. My uncle, in the
real estate business In Albany, has
offered me job at thousand a year;
won't that pay our expenses?"
1t did provide for them amply for
two years. when prices and salaries
began to soar. Lanson had pleased
his uncle. who now raised his salary
Deyohu Liza Wiiuest expectations
She had economical and trained"
Lanson to do so, too. They now felt
that they could afford a bungalow
ior nome ana. caliing at the once
one day to see him, in connection with
the purchase Of 1t, Lila asked the Of
fee boy to send out Mr.. Grey. TELL
I'm IN Aiis. orey Is mere sue ss'u anu
~. s%. ooy went INTO La'is''n once WIN
~ hioti'er Is oue 'neie' mr. "re!'
anu sue wants 10 see you
Lahson' VINO supposed MS mother
20 oe at nome torty mlies away on the
massachusetts side OF the state line.
rushed out TO greet her' only TO hnd
Lila there alone.
why. what funny mistake" he
iaughed, but from that time on he be
gan 10 De late FOR dinner, slow to
meet her for the noon lunch, which
thsy always had together at Broad
way restaurant; in fact' his hours be-
came so irregular and MS excuses FOR
working overtime so plausible that
Lila got quite used to spending the
evenings alone
But even so, she was totally unpre-
pared Tor MS not coming home at all
one night and for the harsh command,
oy te'ephone' the Following morning
10 oe al tne police station at nine
O'CLOCK.
Arrived there, worn with the nights
vigil and fearing Lanson had met with
some horrible accident, she was COM
fOrted by the sight of her husband and
pretty giri OF sixteen whom she rec
osni~ea as the stehographer IN the Oh
nee ADJOINING Lansons' But before
hha couia utter woru' one OF the po-
frightened girl. NOW, young lazy, can