Smyrna times., 1923-02-28
SOME TIME
BY LOUISE M. ADDISON

Whatever misgivings other people
may have had on the subject, Molly
Hunter herself never doubted that she
would be married-sOme time. At
thirty she was officially dubbed ole
maid. But instead of giving way to
despair, Molly bought herself a second
hope chest, the first being filled to
OverfiOwing. With unimpaired cour-
age she set about the task of filling the
second hope chest, in spite of her
brothers scOwl, her neighbOr'S sneers,
and her mothers censure.
1T would be far more sensible to
sew dresses for your sisters babies"
said Mrs. Hunter, sternly. "YOu are
too old for such nonsense as hope
chests"
HIN" commented Molly, placidly.
Maybe. And maybe not. But when /
do get married I'll have more than
most girls, because I've had a longer
time to prepare"
No matter what was said she lis
tened patiently, smiled serenely, and
stitched cOmpOsedly, with unvarying
faith in the husband that was to be
herS-sOme time.
Brother Edwin, in particular, had no
patience with Molly, whom he looked
upon as a gOOd-natured, rather feeble
minded individual, forever stitching on
what he cOntemptuously termed her
hope rags"
Il don't know" he was in the habit
Of saying with deep gloom, "how Molly
ever got into this family. She's GER
tainly not like the rest of u.s."
Don't worry, please" answered
Molly, patiently. Il will get married,
maybe sooner than you think. l know
| will get married-sOme time"
To which her brother grunted unbe-
lievingly.
One evening, the rest of the family
including the maid, being out, Molly
sat before the library fire, looking
thOughtfuily into the Goals Molly was
losing faith in the husband that was
TO be hers-sOme time. The bell rang
! She sighed wearily, and opened the
door. A gentleman stood there, with
his arm in a sling.
Il wish to see Doctor Hunter said
he, in a pleasant voice.
He's out" said Molly. "Please sit
down, and while you're waiting you
can talk to me. | am very lOnesome.p
I'm lonely, too he said. ~ shall
be glad when my arm is better and l
can return to California"
california" exclaimed Molly, with
interest. I've been there, and l just
love ii !"
The stranger beamed. At the end of
an hour, when the doctor interrupted,
he was still holding forth about the
glOries of his native state Molly left
her new acquaintance with regret.
what a wonderful manr she said
to herself, with shining eyes. IL
could just love him!"
At dinner the following evening Mol
ly was III at ease because her brother
stared at her in such a puzzled man.
ner.
Il am considerably surprised" he
told Molly, "and of course gratifed,
/ that you've met Mr.. Channing-and
' that-that he seems so taken with
: you"
what are you talking abOutY' asked
: plain-spOken Molly. "WhO is Mr.
! Channing?"
5 mir. Claiming? Mr.. ChanningT
! Her brother almost chOked. "Mr
Claiming" he finally announced, '1s
' the gentleman you were talking to last
. evening. He is a millionaire business
I man of California. Last night hC
> seemed interested in you, and when
saw him again this morning he said hC
thought you the finest young woman
, he'd ever seen. Wants to marry you
Queerest thing l ever heard Of" wen
on Doctor Hunter, frankly amazed. e
: never thought you'd mean, he's sucl
a catch! That's him now, l imagine,
as the bell rang.
MOlly's brain whrled AS in ;
dream she heard her brother greet hi
guest; saw him leave the room; fel
her hand gently clasped.
I'm afraid, little girl, that Tv
frightened you. l know my method
u are crude, even for Californian. Blu
know also, since last night, that yoI
n are the woman for me. VIII you MARI.
e me, and go home with me next week
k I'm afraid somebody will steal yO
f from me if leave you here. What d
+ you say, little One?"
|. Molly forced herself to look up, an
e met pair of adOring eyes. Tint
o afraid" she murmured She was ir
It deed afraid-that she was dreaming.
e Mr.. Claiming, however, misinterpre
d ed. Afraid of me?" He took her /
" his arms. You will have a week
k time in which to get acquainted wit
v me-" he said, land you will never b
# sorry"
n AS events proved. she wasn't. Bu
then. she had always known il Woul