Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-10-19
The V~anquishing
of Nancy
By M. M-AcWILLIAMS
- ~ 1@ Bw .,
20 byMcClute Newspaper Syndicate.

For my strip and exc for my crust.
Therefore, sir, I'm asking you why
You are raising this terrible dust?"
Thus Nancy improvised, her head the
beast bit aside, her eyes dancing wick
eddy at sight of Lauren, most abject of
all her thralls. He stood half way
between door and window seat, his
Mouth m%utinous, his eyes glCwery. A
letter had preceded him-the kind of
letter Jealousy writes and seals with
u threat. Lauren had indeed threat
ened the empress of his heart that
unless she ceased aspiring for univer-
sal masculine dominion, he was going
to cut and run for it-she could take
him, else have him leave her for good
and always.
He had thought he really meant
it-but all the way to the Fitch place
he had been in blue funk, fearing she
might also think so. Suppose she
should take him at his word, give back
his ring and plunge even more badly
into a sea of summer fiirtations? That
would be hard-she was already hit
ting on all six cylinders that way, ac-
cording to the gossip of Blainhill. A
select suburb, home of families boast
ing super-tinished daughters, naturally
1t disapproved of their being put out
OF court by an upstart without a single
accomplishment.
True, Nancy danced like a willow
in the wind, but never bothered as
TO steps. She rode in any old cos
tune she happened to be wearing,
played golf with as little regard to
sartorial requirements, and 1t auc-
ton IBID her hand without regard
for anybody's rules or signals. Also
and further she called sports
clothes loud, even vulgar, flip hats
messy and beady things savage.
Notwithstanding, she managed to
look always like a picture, and to have
all the most eligible beaux at her beck
and call. A~ggravating, considering
her status as an accident. If the street
had not got most Of the jennings
money, Nancy and obedient Granny
would never have had a chance to snap
up the Jennings cottage for a year.
The rector had youched for them
a work Of supererogation, considering
their bank account. Its lustihood pos
sibly made them SO little of sticklers
for the social mint, anise, and cummin.
Granny's world beginning and ending
in Nancy, yet in its kindly round EN-
braced all who were in need of kind
ness. Still-she wouldn't join things
not the village improvement. the spe'
eial Provident, the mothers circle, MOI
ever the library association. 1--WE
shall stay only until Nancy gets to
wanting somewhere else" she eX'
claimed. "Of course we'll do our part
but as outsiders--then there won't be
any trouble leaving"
That had been lived up to. Her
gardener had furnished plants for all
the gardens whose owners lacked
wherewithal to buy them-by help OF
the rector she was a very special In.
dividual providence-new babies might
have howled down blessing on heI
gray head, so soft and plenteous were
the layettes she supplied. The Il
brary was different. The Pitches had
brought books ap~lenty--they bought
few new ones, SO had evidently none
to spare. If Nancy wanted to dip into
the latest sensation it was sent hel
from some city agency under special
contract. Granny read little beyond
her Bible. prayer book and the norm
ing paper. The paper kept her from
stagnating, she said. What more could
an old woman desire?
She stopped midway the heavy
leader she was conseientiously wadinl
through to ask plaintlvely: "Laury
do you know anything about stocks
Or bucket shops?"
Enough to let them alone" Laury
growled, glad deep down of the stay
in his progress Nancyward.
Nancy sat up very straight, saying
primly to Granny: Don't tempt in
nocence, Grannykins, / know you're
born gambler at heart. It's your heaC
that won't let you play the market
Everybody hasn't got such a head
Take care to set a proper example"
Now, amt that Satan reproylnl
sin? Laury. she has bought herseli
another bracelet, with her winnings a
the Elton bridge last week." Cram.
complained.
Lauren looked relieved--Nancy mad,
a face at Granny. SIN glad to know,
he said, ebeen wondering where 1t cam,
from since yesterday"
Sand thinking it anne by the Ben
Bob Bobo route" Nancy broke in. .B,
ashamed of yourself for a sillykin-
.as though I'd wear any trumpery thin,
YOU idiots here would choose"
even a ring? Like this?n Laur!
questioned, moving close enough Il
drop a fine plain small box in Nancy
lap. She opened It gingerly. took on
.phat Il held. hnt did not slim 1t upoi