Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1922-01-18

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BY ANNAaELLz GARTER

~ BY ANhARELLz GARTER ~
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@. lsa,. by Mcclure Newspaper syndica,s.
To say that Miss individuality Lap.
ham, WINS queer IL a mild statement,
Perhaps the name with which her fa.
ther blessed the child Of his odd age
had something to do with It. Perhaps
the fact that he personally superin.
tended her education In the biz, brick
house Oh tho corner was at fault, Per.
haps the accident Of his dying and
leaving her ut seventeen mistress Of
that house and good many thousands
OF dollars added the finishing touch.
Vidy, for thus the name had teen
shortened, was quite alone in her
glory. Her mother, an amiable, ro-
mantle, lazy person-who, when she
found herself widow with three half.
grown children, married Old Man Lap-
nam for home and little kindliness
died when Individuality was five.
Undeniably she was odd and had
methods Of her own which were nerve
racking to the uninltiated.
But for all this Miss Vidy was well
beloved, II not popular. She had
friends, yes, and even lovers.
One day Individuality settled her
self to write three rather momentous
letters. One was to apprlse her min
lister that she had made up her mind
to subscribe the $500 he craved for
new baptlsmal font. Another was to
inform the butcher that question
able piece Of meat on Sunday last had
decided her to trade elsewhere. And
third was to reject or accept Rob
Jones, who had made ardent love to
her for six months. She liked Rob
but
And In the order in which named
them did she write her letters.
1T gratlties me extremely to accede
to your request. If you will call to-
night we Will settle details.
Yours sincerely,
individuality Lapham."
il check for $0.7l accompanied the
next billet doux:
Owing to antiquity am sovering
connections with your establishment.
Enclosed find all you will ever get
from me. Yours truly
II. F. Laphnm."
The last was terse, although It took
an hour to pen:
1T can't be done.
'Individuality."
1t was the time Of the yearly inunda-
tion Of step-brothers and sisters, with
their husbands, wives and children.
and something was always the matter.
AS Miss Vidy started for the center Of
the commotion-th big attic playroom
"a small red-headed, freckle- faced
boy descended to the first floor via the
banisters. Staggering across the room
he surveyed the neat desk critically.
In trice the three envelopes were
deftly transposed and Satan Junior be-
took himself to the coal bin, where he
proceeded to disguise himself
Miss yidy, breathing fast, but with
placid brow, returned and sealed and
stamped her letters. and put them in
the corner mailbox herself to insure
that days delivery.
Surprises were the order Of that eve
ming. A benevolent, broad-minded
clergyman rubbed his bald head and
stared in baffled amazement at check
for $6.71.
"Bless my SOUL" he gasped; "six
dollars and-hIiss Vldyi Antiquity
don't understanding It's useless to
try to-"
A greasy butcher in dirty apron
scratched his nose with a meat knife
and tossed four-word note to his
assistant.
"See II you can make anything out
Of this, Jim. Miss Individuality'e gone
clean nutty this round"
And three blocks from the big brick
house young man gasped In mingled
surprise, relief and delight and with
wild whoop tore hatless out Of the
door and down the street.
But the most astounded OF all was
Miss vidy herself. Seated prlm and
precise at q table surrounded with
''step-laws." she heard most appalling
peal from the front-door bell. Informed
that 1t was Mir. Jones to see her, she
excused herself and proceeded with
dignity to the sitting room. Here she
was scooped up by an enthusiastic
pair Of arms. told she was q darling,
an angel and q love and that they
would be married tomorrow morning,
to all Of which Miss Yidy listened be-
wilderediy and meekly, and acquiesced
becomingly.
Miss Vidy does not believe In be-
traying curiosity: but after two years
Of happily married life she is still
wondering how Rob came to Interpret
that note so differently from the way
she intended It.