Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-08-17
YOUNG "0LD MAID"
BY PAULINE MARSHALL

Citizens III comfortable circumstances
had erected upon this long avenue,
lined with splendid examples of elm
treehood, fashionable dwellings
But as the city grew. with the In
coming of hundreds of new industries,
so did the street, and In the period Of
its growth ii lost the splendid caste.
The pier which gave its name to the
avenue was sold. The property being
leased to a brewers establishment
the brewer RACED four beautiful
houses and on their sites placed Il
large stable. Corner residences be
came saloons. Signs of furriers and
bakeries appeared in the parlor win
dows Of several dwellings. Garages
appeared, and the q ng of the auto
truck and the chattering of the Upper
Story Women's club combined We're
like incoherent blasts from Gabriers
trumpet calling to the long departed
Pier streeters to come and whisper
over the changes time had wrought.
II was upon this street that Teresa
was born She was, il, her early
childhood, quiet girl, sort of re-
served, an old maidiSh type that runs
TO long curls and thin legs, and If it
hadn't been for Eleanor, next door,
Teresa's girlhood, and even woman
hood, would have been dreary af-
fair.
Teresas mother was stout, sad
woman, whose only dissipation was
relating lengthy accounts of the many
heroic actions Of her numerous ances-
tors and relatives. The father "0ld
DAN was stout, slow, contented
man, handsome IN masculine way.
who satisfied his longing for work in
the arduous task of construction fore
man on a large apartment house up
town.
1t was In this atmosphere that little
Teresa grew mp, ironing the seemingly
million pieces Of laundry, washing the
numerous greasy dishes. COntrarily,
her friend, Eleanor, upon reaching her
twenty second birthday, entered bust
ness college, dragging Teresa after
her I'm whirlwind of enthusiasm,
acquired beau. and settled In an
office where there wasn't much to
dc and lots of nice fellows around"
Teresa was now left TO talk to her
self, If she wanted TO talk, as by her
self she walked To and fro from the
Office, because Eleanor's young man
did the honors for that cave woman.
This solitude was a fertile condition
for the secret yearning for her
"dream-boy," which no young lady is
free from. Even Kay Anderson, son
of the Pier street garage proprietor,
as was visibly attested by four parallel
scratches upon his face, was unable
to satisfy her dreams when on one
Christmas eve he endeavured to inn
print kiss upon her cheek
In Teresa's office there was no eli
Chile marriage material as her strict
elimination test had shown, and
Teresa was sorrowfuly tapping away
at her machine when u strange, tall,
dark young man passed by and en-
tered the boss private Office. An hour
later he had been installed at desk,
had introduced himself to Teresa as
]. Remington bennett, had dictated
a letter to her and had asked permits
sion 10 take her to a dance that eve
ming And Teresa. thinking that at
last her dreams were formulating into
facts. accepted, and she wondered If
ne could hear her soft yes" over the
pit pit. pit Of her heart.
That evening they foated on high |
ethereal heights TO the twinkling |
notes of love music that carried them |
both, as they danced, along to the |
realms of rapture-and poor Kay An |
derson sorrowfully gazed upon them, |
probably thinking, with fierce JOY |
and greater grief, that the welcoming |
river was nearby.
Kay, next day IN the garage, tink- |
cred over broken automobiles, while
within him pounded rended heart; |
in the Office Mr. j. Bennington Den
nett sported "a slightly discolored eye.
Teresa, in after years, explained |
the hasty change to sudden action
following Dement'S remark, by the |
way. | haven't kissed you yet" And
the events. bringing in her mind Rays
respectful and devoted meekness,
brought the realization that man
OF the world" was hard to keep. They
have so many affairs"
That evening Kay was lifted to
heights Of joy by receiving a call from
Teresa, "to come over, If you wish.
He did wish. As he stepped into
the darkened hall, Teresa in a beau
tiful. heavenly blue creation, cheeks
blooming like two pink roses and
ewes as bright as child's when II
knows that the Christmas tree is
waiting. met him.
Say. honestly, ! didn't know you
M first" he said. "You look"
He said this in a thoughtful man
ner, with note Of worship in his
voice.
Now. last week, Mr., Anderson,
began Teresa, when you caught me
in the kitchen with my old gingham
apron on-what was il you saldT'
81 said loved YOU" dropping his
hat
"old Bingham and allT
aCtd gtpgbop, and all I" he Stoutly