The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-14

thereafter what had been nlsfnseps;
lSarahfe trio came an insparablei

quartz sS3S 1ss3s III
Martha received this accession
to their tile coterie with such eyt--..i,
dent pleasure that the gosslps'i
male and female, were seen SAYING
deep fellow, Raymond----he q has
got the doctor and Martha nook;
ed and now has plain sailing Wit
Kate No. not all the gossips sa1d l
this There we're wise ones
who replied 'Bosh. Martha tba Hal,
stead is a predestined old maid
She'll never marry. The doctor is
trying to cut out the lawyer and !
4 the doctor has got on the right sida'
of Martha VI It is easy enough to
see that she fayors the medicine
man more than the man of law
twas a fact taht when the fou-
were out in the doctors car Mar
tina somehow seemed always to
manager to sit with Thornton. But
what could you prove by that? Did
it not leave Harold and Kate IN a
more advantageous position for
Would she do this
If she had selected Thornton as
her sisters husband? Things were
going along very agreeably IN TINS
way, when Mrs Ha1stead TOOK
hand, and in secret; conference with
her elder. daughter said maJest1-
cally: Martha, have noticed that
young lawyer. Raymond, has been
looming here quite often of late-3!
consiG ering that it was about six
months since Harold had first be-
gun calling at the house, Mrs. Has,
steals discovery was not so very
astonishing after all Il presume+
that he is beginning to present him !
self in the guise of a suitor for the
hand of your sister. Catherine Now
you know my prin ciples. want
you to speak to- him and tell him
that it cannot be. I. myself, am
really not in state of health which
would permit of my stating the case
to the young NAM It might be
disagreeable and my nerves as
you know, will not stand anything
of a disagreeable nature"
"But, mother demonstrated
Martha, there is another youns
man who calls here, too--Dr. Thorn
ton. Shall I speak to both of
them?'' $s
DR.. Thornton" replied Mrs. Hal
stead, sis another matter entireft
His principal reason for calling
here is the interest he takes in my
case. It is a most interesting one.
especially attentive to ME-and
when I limited at some pecuniary
remuneration for. his excellent pro-
fesslonal advice he assured me
that the knowledge he acquired
from study of ny symptoms-and
he was pleased to add the pleasure
of my sation-more than re-
paid him No: we will eliminate
DR.. Thornton from the discussion
You will speak to Mr. Raymond"
"But, mother" protested Martha,
would it not seem rather indelt-
nte-my unmarried state, as I
take it, being the reason for re-
jecting Mr. Thornton S suit for Kate
would it not appear rather indie
licate in me to state your 'princi-
pies in the matter to Mr.. Ray
mond?'
mot at ALL replied Ms. Hal
stead. 81 gu will speak as from
ME. There, there-don't argue
the matter any more Did any
mother ever. have SO much trouble
with her daughters as have2"
And then patheticaily, II wouldn't
have if you would only get a beau
Of your own
"Oh, mother!" cried Martha,
D1uSulll :, a8}2 ! VI W. 3OC O1Cs t&' 1AA
ran from the room leaving Mrs.
Halstead dumb with amazement.
That evening when Harold called
Martha received him alone, and
seating herself beside him on the
sofa said calmly. even frigidly, Mr..
Raymond 7 have a communication
for you from my mother She bids
me tell you that it is against her
principles that the younger daugh'
ter marry before the elder. There
fore, as am still unmarried, and
likely to remain 50. you can't have
Kate"
"But--but,'' stammered Harold
81 say, there's some mistake It
isn't Kate I want.I want you
.You dear boy replied Martha
as her hand stole into his. "TolI
dear dilatory boy. Why didn't
! you say so before? Kate and II
have known all along-and she has
heen waiting SO i'm nafisutlY to ac.