Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1925-01-28
Cornelia Makes
a Selection
By H. IRVING KING


much money that he could not tell
exactly how rich he was himself. Her
mother was a languid, drowsy, corpu-
lent woman, who believed that there
was no joy but calm" Being an only
child, helress-apparent to her fathers
millions, Cornelia might have been
married twenty times over IL she had
wanted to. But she didn't want to.
Then suddenly she took 1t into her
head that she did want to. Mother,
said she one day, II am going to be
married"
"Well, we'll, Corny," said the fond
mother. 81 suppose you are old
enough to be married. Whom are you
going to marry?"
81 have not decided yet" replied
Cornelia.
Got any special one in mind?"
asked Mrs. Blivin.
mo, no one in particular-as yet.
have two dinners, two dances and a
reception on this week and shall prob
ably select somebody before Satur-
day." said Cornelia.
Have you spoken to your father
about this?" asked Mrs. Blivin.
mot yet" replied COrnelia, but
shall. Father won't object. He never
has objected to anything did yet and
it's pretty late in the game for him to
begin now"
And Cornelia, who, when she had
taken q resolution, was not In the
habit Of letting the grass grow under
her feet, ordered out her own particu-
lar motor and went down to her faith
er's office to tell him what he might
expect. She regarded 1t as mere
matter Of form-but Cornelia was rath'
er stickler for form.
"Father," she breezed when she was
alone with her parent In his private
office, II am going to be married.
BLESS me, child!" said Blivin. "Who
tor
"Oh, l haven't decided yet. l shall
this week." she warbled.
For the first time in his life Blivin
displayed tendency to go contrary
to his daughters wishes. "Hum,
said he. "This Is a serious matter.
There are lots Of fellows who would
be anxious to marry you just to get
at my money"
Goodness gracious, father" cried
Cornelia, don't you suppose there are
men who would be willing to marry
me just for MYSELF"
"Perhaps," growled Blivin, but II
there are any such I'd like to know
them first and be sure. Look here,
tell you fiat that you shan't marry
any man I don't approve Of
"You are too cruel,' sobbed Cor
nelia, bursting into tears. "Fll marry
any man l please and you shant have
a thing to say about It," And she dried
her eyes and went home, smartlng
from her first rebuff.
She hardly spoke to her parents all
that week, but Saturday night at din
ner she calmly remarked that she was
going to marry Casper White.
"Hum, hum, good selection" said
Blivin. Excellent young man. I ap-
prove of your choice"
1t never occurred to the man OF
millions that perhaps Casper White
would have something to say in the
matter.
Now there was a young man at the
table when Cornelia made her an
nouncement who frowned darkly. He
was Walter Reynolds, third cousin
of CorneTia, who had been brought up
by old man Blivin and was now his
secretary. "White is engaged to Ma
bel Landers," said Walter sourlX,
what Of it," snapped Cornelia.
"Oh, that can be arranged, l guess"
"Has Mr. White paid you any special
attention." asked Mrs. Blivin.
"WelI-no-not yet" replied Cor
nela, but he is three times as sensi-
BILE as the other young men | meet in
society. He's more like Walter here"
The last part slipped out before she
realized what she was saying; and she
could have bitten her tongue off for
the slip.
Walter was all very well as cou-
sin-but Cornelia had for some time
had suspicion that he aspired to be
something nearer than a cousin. While
everybody else let her do as she
pleased and approved what she did,
Walter had the cheek to object to
many of her performances. What did
she care what Walter thought? What
was he to her, anyway? After dinner
that Saturday night Walter and Cor
nelia happened to find themselves
| alone together in the library.
"Cornelia," said Walter, you are a
spoiled child, and you know it,
'Tm not" cried COrnelia.
Eyes you are" returned Walter.
you have had your way so long that
YOU have ceased to realize that there
are other people in the world to be
considered Now you are not, really
going to try to break up the engage
ment between poor little Mabel Ian
ders and Casper White, are your"
h rfn