The Dolores star., 1922-03-24
MISS VIDY
BY ANNABELLE CARTER
9e9e9e9 Se9e9e9k

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
g. 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate,
To say that Miss individuality Lap
nam was queer is a mild statement.
Perhaps the name with which her ia
ther blessed the child of his old age
had something to do with it, Perhaps
the fact that he personally superin-
tended her education in the big, brick
house on the corner was at fault. Per
haps the accident of his dying and
leaving her at seventeen mistress of
that house and good many thousands
of dollars added the finishing touch.
Vidy, for thus the name had been
shortened, was quite alone in her
glory. Her mother, an amlable, ro-
mantle. lazy person-who, when she
found herself widow with three half.
grown children. married Old Man Lap
ham for home and little kindiness
died when Individuality was five.
Undeniably she was odd and had
methods of her own which were nerve
racking to the uninitiated.
But for all this Miss Vidy was well
beloved. If not popular. She had
friends. yes, and even lovers.
One day individuality settled her
self to write three rather momentous
letters. One was to upprise her min
lister that she had made up her mind
to subscribe the $500 he craved for IA
new baptismal 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 l named
| them did she write her letters.
ut gratifies me extremely to accede
to your request. II you will call to-
| night we will settle details.
yours sincerely,
| individuality Lapham."
A check for S6.71 accompanied the
next billet doux:
| Owing to antiquity l am severing
connections with your establishment.
Enclosed find all you will ever get
from me. Yours truly,
81. F. Lapham."
The last was terse, although 1t took
an hour to pen:
"It can't be done.
"Individuality."
II was the time of the yearly inunda.
ton 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-the big attic playroom
"A small, red-headed, freckle-facet
hoy 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 HI
proceeded to disguise himself
Miss Vidy, breathing fast, but will
placid brow, returned and sealed ant
the corner mailbox herself to insur,
that days delivery.
Surprises were the order of that eve
ming. A benevolent, brOad-mindet
clergyman rubbed his bald head ant
stared In baffled amazement at checl
for $671.
Bless my SOUL" he gasped; Isl,
dollars and-Miss vidyl Antiquity
don't Understandable It's useless t
try to-"
A greasy butcher in dirty apro
scratched his nose with a meat knit
and tossed a four-word note to hi
assistant.
"See If you can make anything ou
of this, Jim. Miss Individualitys gon
clean nutty this round"
And three blocks from the big brio
house young man gasped in mingle
surprise. relief and delight and wit
wild whoop tore hatless out of tn
door and down the street.
But the most astounded of all wa
Miss Vidy herself. Seated prim an
precise at table surrounded wit
"step-laws," she heard most appallin
= peal from the front-door bell 1nfOrme
that 1t was Mr.. Jones to see her. sh
4 excused herself and proceeded wit
, dignity TO the sitting room. Here sf
was scooped up by an enthusiast
pair of arms, told she was darlin
= an angel and a love and that the
would be married tomorrow mornin
= to all of which Miss Vidy listened b
wilderedly and meekly, and acQulesce
= becomingly.
Miss Vidy does not believe in b
traying curiosity, but after two yea
= of happily married life she is ST
wondering how Rob came to interpr
= that note 80 differently from the WI
she intended 1t.