Middletown transcript., 1922-08-19
MISS Why
BY ANNABELLE CARTER
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w. lszE' py AcClure Newspaper syndicate.
To say that Miss individuality Lap
ham was queer Is u 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 superln-
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.
Nidy, for thus the name had been
shortened, was quite alone in her
glory. Her mother. an amiable, ro-
mantle, lazy person--who, when she
found herself a widow with three half
grown children, married Old Man Lap
ham for home and a little kindness
died when individuality was five.
Undeniably she was odd and had
methods of her own which were nerve
racking to the unnitiated.
But for all this Miss Vidy was well
beloved, If not popular. She had
friends, yes, and even lovers.
One day individuality settled her
oelf to write three rather momentous
letters. One was to apprlse her min
lister that she had made up her mind
to subscribe the $500 he craved for a
new bnptlsmal font. Another was to
inform the butcher that a 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.
1t gratifes me extremely to accede
to your request. If you will call to-
night we will settle details.
Yours sincerely,
individuality Lapham."
check for $6.T1 accompanied the
next billet doux:
Owing to antiquity am severng
connections with your establishment.
Enclosed find all sou will ever get
from me. Yours truly.
Il. +. Lapham."
The last was terse, although it took
| an hour to pen:
1T can't be done.
Individuality"
1t was the time of the yearly inunda-
tion 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, freclile- faced
| boy descended to the first floor via the
banistcrs. 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 he
proceeded to disguise himself.
Miss Vidy, breathing fast, but with
| placid brow, returned and sealed and
stamped her letters and put them in
| the corner mailhox herself to insure
| that days delivery.
Surprises were the order Of that eve
ming. A benevolent, broad-minded
! clergyman rubbed his bald head and
! stared in baflled amazement at q check
for SG.71.
BLESS my SOUL" he gasped; six
dollars and-Miss Vidy. Antiquity |
don't understandable it's useless to
try to-"
| greasy butcher In a dirty apron
scratched his nose with meat knife
and tossed a four-word note to his
assistant.
| See If you can make anything out
of this, Jim. Miss Individualitys gone
clean nutty this round"
And three blocks from the big brick
house young man gasped In mingled
surprise, relief and delight and with
a wild whoop tore hatless out Of the
door and down the street.
But the most astounded of all was
Miss Nidy herself. Seated prim and
precise at a table surrounded with
"step-laws," she heard most appalling
peal from the front door bell Informed
that 1t was Mr.. Jones to see her, she
excused herself and proceeded with
dignity to the sitting room. Here She
was scooped up by an enthusiastic
Hair of arms, told she was a darling,
an angel and a love and that they
would be married tomorrow morning,
to all Of which Miss Vidy listened be-
wilderedly and meekly, and acquiesced
becomngly.
Miss Nidy does not believe In be-
traying curiosity, but after two years
of happily married life she Is still
wondering how Rob came to interpret
that note SO differently from the way