Middletown transcript., 1922-06-03
CUPID AT 90
BY EDNA S. KNAPP


dressing for the ceremony. First she
saw the familiar living room consid-
erotely vacated by the family. With
nervousness wrapping her like
mantle, she had opened the front door
to Herbert, spruce and immaculate.
and wondered If his mother knew he
was out. Then Mrs. Sawtelle Mont
gomery Mason had not thought the
Harrisons worthy of notice.
She and Herbert had seated them
selves awkwardly on opposite sides
Of the table and conversation had
tagged, though his chocolates had dis
appeared rapidly enough. They had
summoned courage enough to smile
at each other occasionally, and were
laughing over past high school party
when an awful groan had been heard,
followed by blast that had sent Mary
to her feet trembling with fear.
Herbert had leaped to her side, his
arms about her slender waist. 81 will
protect yOu," he had said. ado not
be afraid. 1 will take care of you"
Safe in this shelter, they two had
heard Great-Uncle Ellis cane go
''thud' and his quavering voice sum-
moning "Colline." ~hen mothers low
answer, with a culver of mirth in it.
You snored and walked yourself up.
Uncle Ell, that was ALL"
Sitting their giggles the young
couple had returned to their former
positions and talked merrly until
mother came in and Herbert departed.
Hadn't deaf Uncle Eli proved trial,
though his board and care kept moth
er out of The factory and paid the
interest on that hungry old mortgage.
But Uncle Eli went to bed at eight
and mustn't be disturbed. All evening
callers were taboo, and besides, Mrs.
Sawtelle Montgomery Mason said Her
bert mustn't come.
Mary was worried about the post
office money Mr.. Owen was away
over Sunday and Mary had to bring
the money home.
Hours later, when that awe-inspir
ing combination Of snort, groan and
shrek had sounded through the dark
ened house, she had been the first one
down. She had heard the yell of fear,
the chinking thud of metal the win
dow slammed down and retreat
ing footsteps on the porch.
To an accompaniment of Uncle Ell's
groans, she had switched on the light
to see an open drawer money bag
dropped by the stove and curtain
awfy.
Mother was dosing Uncle Eli and
brother was calling up DR.. Piggot
when Mary found the last recreant
coin rolled into the farthest corner.
Wasn't DR.. Piggot mad with Uncle,
though he had pulled him through in
safety. And next morning, how the
whole town rang with the bravery of
Herbert Mason, who, coming home
from sitting up with sick chum, had,
single-handed, captured Jed Bangs,
who tried to steal the postofiice
money!
Then on Uncle ELS ninety-third
birthday, he had ordered her to get
some "Nawncy Purties" for the gar
den. Mary had been utterly bewild-
cred, but Herbert knew "None-so-pret-
ties" were -grandmothers of our
present-day pansies. Herbert had
some, he would bring them. So he
had done, and Uncle Eli had showed
him the garden for two mortal hours
Mice, quiet feller, that; make you
good beau, Mary. Why don't ye set
far Ia inn fhA nlI Il
asked afterward..
Not long after uncle had eluded
Mary and her mother again, and been
brought home one evening weary but
triumphant by smiling Herbert. Un.
Gle had gone right to bed, but Her.
bert had much to say.
MY mothers been helping him fig
ure his income tax" explained the
lad. Great goodness, Mary, he pays
u laundering big one. lie must own
pretty near all Heathfield, and folks
all thought he just had an annuity
You folks are down in his will, l be-
lieve."
Mary remembered how incredllous
she had been at first.
Mothers keeping one paper for
him. | didn't see it, of course. She
says she's thought again about my
coming here and. since you're so good
to the old gentleman. may come
as often as | like" weht on Herbert
Mary had beamed at him silently
II mean all you like" corrected
Herbert, mindful of his manners
Then the family had slid out some
way and Mary and he had been alone
The young couple had just learned
that that paper promised S10,0oo to
Mary the day she married Herbert
Eldon Mason. Last night uncle had
showed them the paper and declared
il the best investment he had ever
made. Uncle seemed to be taking Oh
new lease of life.
Hark, was that the clock striking
Yes. she must arouse and begin t.
dress. Here WAS mother coming to
call her, and that was uncle's pene
trating falsetto. Yes, Colline, l in.
tend to live to be a hundred and NAB.
be I'll let Mrs. Herbert Mason take
care of me bimeby if she proves ez
safe and ez tasty cook ez We be-"