The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-02-15
A Chronicle Of
Courtships
By MARTHA MAcWlLLlAMs.
1871. BY Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

"Marry3 Met Why, don't you
know was born odd9" Miss Pru-
dence Ray chuckled. letting her knit
ting fall gently into her purple calico
tap. Mighty lucky, too-men persons
house, and great when 1t comes to
dom real hard work. But to my
thinkin' It's lots easier to hire 'em
than to be always honeyin' 'em up
maxim 'em believe Andrew Jackson
wasn't so much bigger'n they are.
or that old Father Noah had hardly
their foresight. Get on with EN-?
Sure! Wouldn't have 'em about If I
couldn't. Yes, | have. had marryin'
chances. and don, say they weren't
good ones--sOme of 'em. But some
how If liked mans looks his dis
position didn't suit--if he had more
money'n ! did, he wanted mine all the
harder; II he had less. he was main
sure to be tetchy about it-think
ought to make him high cockalorum
over everything. And that's what |
shanty ever do. Pap, taught me too
well for that"
Timmy sGrggs giggled at ,,the end
Of the eSOrtlium. He had, indeed,
ki.ygled 'ntermittently throughout 1t.
.-But you know you're lonesome--dead
lonesome. Miss Prue," he said. That's
Shy you let me come and run on
cards and yards about my girl. Next
thing. you knew. to lovin' is hearin'
about 1t. Mares me think of the
song:
SHOVEL and tongs. to each other be-
longs
And, the kettle sings songs of family
While alone wild yer cup. like a hermit
Och hone! Widow Machree!'
81 know Mr.. Tom Jameson would
love to sing It to you-it would fit
enc, Prudence Machree'" So
"You right down ra'alely reckon
SOP Miss prue drawled, giggling in
hor turn. and threatening Jimmy with
her bali of blue yarn. II wonder
now how much you'd bet on it,
silk stockings against the blue
socks you're knittin'." Jimmy said
gamely. Miss Prue shook her head.
"'Twouldn't Go-no touch" she said.
How'd we ever find out who won.
and II twas me how'd you ever
sq,lare yourself with Lena McLane?
She has looked at me right down
crosseyed ever since you told her my
pound cake was the best ever-she
needn't even try to make as good"
Lena couldn't be jealous with You
married TO Mr.. Tom Jimmy returned
THAT'S all you know about women
folks" Miss Prue flung back at him.
"rhey'd be jealous even Of mos
quito that buzzed round you If they're
born that way. Lord be praised
wasn't born so. Or maybe it's because
I've got such a concet of myself. Any
body wants TO think less of me or
more Of some other body-do it and
welcome. I'll sit tight sayin' to N.Y.
self they lose as much as do; may
be little mite more"
Cant you somehow make Lena
look at things that way?' Jimmy
asked. "She's the very best ever;
but my how she acts up if don't
walk the chalk every day and Sun
day too"
when didn't you last?' Miss Prue
querled, chuckling She had known
all along Jimmy had come for some
special reason.
"Why over at the Morrison play
party" Jimmy expounded. "Madge
Gray snapped me Out-and like the
plague she Is, kissed me before she'd
set down. Had the right. you know.
whirled anl cut me off in the run round
II Lena'd been there and seen how it
all was I don't believe she'd really
boiled over when she saw me-tried
to throw my ring In the fire and run
away when I put 1t hack on her finger
and wouldn't let II come off"
''Then. don't You worry. She'll be
like May mornIn' next time" Miss
Prue consoled. III she isn't--I ought
not to tell fales-bIt just you up an
ask her did she ever know Harvey
Clay"
Goodness! What for3" Jimmy de.
manded.
Miss Prue pursed her lips. 'Them
that ask no questions save chances
Of hearin' lies" she said. "YOu do
as I tell you-but don't name names
unless you have to-"
"You don't know anything TO Lena's
hurt-nobOdy dOes--they can't" jim
my protested loyalty.
"Right We are-but life's mighty
full Of curiOusnesses. Turns and
twists nobody can count on-nor out"
Miss Prue returned Oracularly. mo
charge for advice. boy-oniy you come
and tell me how 1t works out and all
about It,"
II can't 60 II blind this way" jim
my protested. "Why must ask her
about this Harvey Clay?"
III you will have 1t. because she
was engaged to him-cOme In month
Of marryin' him when she was seven
teen, and flew the COOP"
Jimmy sprang up, his teeth clenched.
"Where Is he? I'll kill himw he all