The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-11-24
A JOB FOR ANNABEL
BY II. LOUIS RAYBoLD

| 20, 1922 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicaLe)
According to her friends Annabel
was spoiled. According to her rela-
tives, she was an extremely lucky girl
Annabel's most intimate friend, Car
lotta, said frankly that Annabel was
a dear, but that, unless she was to
carry in her mouth throughout life the
silver spoon she had been born with,
few hard knocks and responsibilities
would do her a world of benefit In
| fact, she went to considerable pains
when Annabel returned from boarding
school to induce that young lady TO
complete her education with a business
course and get job.
So persuasive was she that Annabel
halfway yielded, only to learn, when
she preached the matter at home, that
she would take Job only over the
dead bodies of her mother, grand
mother and at least three aunts. The
consequence was that Annabel contin
ued to live, life of idle gayety, at
odd moments envying the occupied, In
dependent CarlOtta. and her parents
continued to groom her for the one pO-
sition they deemed worth while-that
of some mans wife.
One by one, however, Annabel re-
fused the various youths with whom
she had grown up. She liked them well
enough, in a sisterly sort of fashion,
but when it came to settling down with
one kof them indefinitely-no, indeed,
and quite the contrary.
"Annabers a smart girl" her mother
confided one day to CarIottas mother.
She's not going to be satisfied with
any mediocre fellow, with brains
enough to make a bare living and no
more. My little girls been used to
having everything, and less than that
will never satisfy her"
Carfotta's mother refrained from
speech for moment. Carfotta had Just
announced her engagement to- Sam
Whitcomb, one of the mediocre
youths" undoubtedly to whom her
friend referred. My cousin, who's
coming to visit me from Nebraska
would be just the man for Annabei.'
"How SOP" said -AnnabeFs mother,
not without eagerness.
"WeH,'' said the other then hest
tated. "WelI, for one thing, he's got
loads Of money" ..
How long is he to be here?" The
words were Intended to convey casual
interest. And perhaps they did.
But at any ratesfrOm the day that
Landis Robertson arrived In town he
was marked for Annabers husband
Nor was there need to inquire into his
persona status. That he was a cousin
of the toopers was sufficient recon-.
mendation. a.... F..
AS for AnnaBeF herself, day by day
she grew to feel bitter resentment at
being so patiently thrown at the mans
head.
He's, years older than ami" she
protested one day to her mother, who
had been singing his praises tire
lessly. #
"Only fourteen" returned her, moth
err, promptly, land because Of that
difference, think what he has had time
lows could not get! And lie his busi-
ness turns out as it should here, he ex-
poets to make this place his home.
At least. that is the impression gath
er from Nelly Cooper"
Came a late summer afternoon when
Lands and Annabel had motored far
out into country slowly ripening for
harvest. Stopped at the top Of hill
to cool the engine after steep climb.
the two gazed approximately at the
green valleys and checkered fields be-
low Then Landis turned gravely to
his companion.
Little Annabel," he said tenderly,.
81 must tell YOU a few things about
myself r"
But Annabel, petulant for some rea-
son or, other, stopped him. please
don't" she said TT always stop,
men from telling me things about
themselves. Pm-Pm afraid they're
going TOTO proposel'' 1t wasn't what
Annabel had intended to say, but 1t
was the truth, and the words slipped
out before she realized.
Lands laughed boyishly. And IN
| this case you're exactly right!' he
said "That was and is my intention,
which l won't permit to be thwarted-
love you and I want to marry you,
but before I tell you so l must rid my
mind of something else. Something
which 1 am afraid may make your
parents decide against me-"
That possibility piqued AnnabePs
interest Also, there was stirring with
in her tiny notion that if he hadn't
proposed her heart would have been
broken.
Please tell me-" she said euriously.
.I-well, I'm a wfdower, Annabef.
Not only that" he paused, but 1
| have four motherless boys who need a
| firm hand It's asking great deal"
sBut not too much" whispered An
mabel, and let him take her in his arms.
But if Annabel's mother had known
| sooner she would never have picked
out widower with four boys for her
| cherished and petted daughter.