Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-05-04
CUPID AT SO
BY EDNA S. KNAPP

he pretty bride was living over her
courtShip days as She rested before
pressing for the ceremony First she
saw the familiar living room consid-
eraiely vacated by the family With
nervousness wrapping her like a
mantle, she had opened the front door
70 Herbert, spruce and immaculate.
ana wondered il 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
Jagged, though his chocolates had dis
appeared rapidly enough They had
summoned courage enough 70 smile
at each other occasionally, and We're
laughing over past high school party
when an awful groan had been heard,
followed by blast that had sent Mary
10 her feet trembling with fear
Herbert had leaped to her side, his
arms about her slender waist. 81 viii
protect you" he had said do not
be afraid. | will take care OF you"
Safe in this shelter. they two had
heard Great Uncle EMS cane 20
"thud" and his quavering voice sum
moning "Colline." Then mothers low
answer, with a culver of mirth IN 1t.
You snored and walked yourself up.
Uncle Eli, that was ALI"
Sitting their giggles, the young
couple had returned to their former
positions and talked merrily until
mother came in and Herbert departed,
Hadn't deaf Uncle ELI proved trial,
though his board and care kept moth
er ont 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-lnsplr-
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 thinking thud of metal, the win
dow slammed down and retreat
Ing footsteps on the porch.
No ON oooorn M INFANT 90 Jrpola Ir1p.
groans, she had switched on the light
to see an open drawer, money bag
dropped Oy the stove and curtain
awry
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 DIR. 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 W with sick chum, had,
single-handed, captured Jed Bangs,
who tried 10 steal the postofiice
money
Then on Uncle Bli's ninety-third
birthday, he had ordered her to get
some 'Nawncy Purtles" for the gar
den Mary had been utterly bewild-
cred. but Herbert knew "NOne-so-pret-
ties were eat-grandmothers OF our
present-day pansies. Herbert had
some, he would bring them. SO he
had done, and Uncle Ell had showed
him the garden for two mortal hours.
Mice, quiet Teller that; make you
good beau, Mary. Why don't We set
yer cap for hlmf' the old man had
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 I'm
Gle had gone right TO bed, but Her
bert had much to say
my mothers been helping him fg-
ure his income tax" explained the
lad Great goodness, Mary, he pays
laundering big one. He must own
pretty near all Heathfeld, and folks
all thought he just had an annuity !
You folks are down in his VIII, | be
lieve"
Mary remembered how incredulous
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 went on Herbert
Mary had beamed at him silently.
II mean all you like" corrected
HerberL 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 $4,000 TO
Mary the day she married Herbert
Eldon Mason Last night uncle had
showed them the paper and declared
II the best investment he had ever
made Uncle seemed to be taking on
new lease Of life.
bark, was that the clock strikingl
Yes she must arouse and begin to
dress Here was mother coming to
call her and that was uncle's pene-
trating falsetto Yes, Colline, / in
tend to live to be hundred and NAB
ne III let Mrs Herbert Mason take