Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1924-09-13
Two. Bachelors
Gained Nothing
~
but Vamp Did
BY CHARLES BRIGGS

k'NOM tile moment when Henry
Mills saw copy of the "Matri-
m"nial Register" in the shack Of his
neighbor and friend, Jim Bates, a sui
zen hostility took the place of his for
mer warm regard. He glanced over
the paper and thrust it back into its
hiding place just as Bates entered
After few Indifferent remarks
about the crops. he took his departure.
Mills flung himself down upon his
bed in deep disgust. He took a<copy
OF the Matrimonial Register" which
he had secreted under his mattress,
and looked through It.. One paragraph
especially caught his eye:
Il want to be married as soon as
possible. My name Is Estelle Read
residence Baltimore, age twenty-four
l am brunette, tall and considered
goOd-looking. Am well educated, can
dance and play the piano, have a pas
sion for country life and should like
to make happy home for my hus-
band upon some ranch in the West.
Have a fortune Of $4,000, but cannot
touch it till am twenty-five"
The paragraph was marked with the
imprint of Bates thumbs.
"The burned cuss!'' muttered Mills
Thought he'd steal a march on, ME,
didn't her But here's where he plays
second fiddler
From the same hiding place he ex-
tracted letter, which ran as follows:
Dear Friend: From what you have
written to me fancy you are just the
gentleman who would make me good
husband. Especially am / fascinated
by your charming description Of cOun-
try life. inclose you my photograph,
as you request. Now, friend, there Is
one little particular that must be said,
though it goes to my heart to say it.
am all alone in the world and working
for my daily bread. My guardian does
not want me to get married and he will
not advance me any Of my money.
shall have to ask you to remit ME 500
for my expenses and 500 more If you
wish me to arrive with trousseau.
yours lovingly,
"ESTELLE."
The photograph was Of tall and
statuesque brunette, and he gazed
ardently upon it several times.
The neighbOrs were not slow to per-
ceive the GOODNESS that grew between
the erstwhile cronies, but they attrib-
uted it to Jealousy, For Mills was
building substantial addition to his
cabin and rushing it up as fast as he
could. When next he strOlled over to-
ward his former friends house he was
amazed to see that theTlittle shack was
also being transformed and Bates at
tired in brand new suit Of clothes.
"Going in for wife,, Ell, Jim?" he
called jocularly.
"Well, l don't know as I might.
Hank" answered the other. maybe
there's a girl down East"
The rest Of Jim.s words were spoken
to the air, for Henry Mills was hurry
ing away as fast as he could go. He
was determined to raise that second
hundred at once and send it.
A letter was waiting for him. 1t
was in the same fluent handwriting
Dear Friend,"y it ran. yours re-
ceived. and thank you SO much for the
journey money. Now, Henry, let us
be frank with one another My clothes
are all worn out, and / am too much
Of lady to start out to be married
! in shabby things, so must have an
other hundred and fifty, or else may
have to consider proposal I have
from somebody who doesn't live a
thousand miles away from yOu."
Henry Mills sent $3.50 and implored
Estelle to come out ON the next train
After that it was weary waiting be-
fore the long.expected letter arrived.
This is what he read:
"Dear Friend: My heart bleeds for
me to have to tell you what must
tell you, but since your letter came
have met the man of my choice and
we are married. He Is taking me on
our honeymoon to Europe, and we
shall probably be back in two years
time. So no more from your former
friend, "ESTELLE.
She did not inclose the $3.50 that
he had sent. Altogether, including the
house and the furniture, Henry Mills
was "out" in the neighborhood OF.
$1,000. y
He sat there in a lethargy of despair
for long time. But suddenly there
came a thought that cheered him. He
saddled his horse hastily and rode over
to Jims He knocked at the door.
"Come ill.," muttered hollow voice.
Henry went in. jim Bates was lying
upon his new lounge, a letter on the
floor beside him. AS his old friend en-
tered he struggled to his feet.
Henry Mills looked at the letter and
seemed to recognize the handwriting.
And suddenly whoop escaped his
lips and, without even a "by:your-
leave, he snatched it up and perused
1t. >
It was couched in Identical language
with the one which he had had an
hour before.
Suddenly the same thought seemed
to come into Jim Bates mind, for his
scowl relaxed and gave place to