Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1926-02-05
"The Best Laid
Schemes"
.~~~~-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-~~
BY MARTHA Nj. WILLIAMS


per, fresh from the mail box.
Marian, her daughter on tenter
hooks for the sheet ever since II came
asked acidly; "What is 1t that's no
wonder7 And are you through rend
ing the news2"
"Herel Take the paper" said The
mother, 'but don't have a fl when
you ind out Jim Martin is going to
seil out, stock, lock and barrel, and
go somewhere--mayb California"
Don't be scared-he told me all
about II yesterday" Maran's accent
was triumphant,
"Where2 I'd like 10 know Mrs.
Jessup cried, sharply.
"0h. At the Green tea room--we
had lunch there-he took me--said he
was coming TO tell me II we hadn't
met In town"
"And you never told me world"
J Mrs Jessup calculated, ~ do hate
slyness--"
Marian had vanished. saying over
her shoulder. Don't wait dinner for
me-l'm going for long ride"
Nlneteen-and never free breath
all that time--llfe was MS sluggish MS
waveless, as mill pond, marglned by
high green banks. If only her father
had livedl He might possibly have
dominated her mother, Failing that,
Marian was glad he had escaped.
Grandpap Dan, who had always held
with and up for his daughter, would
have made other escape impossible.
Else why that will, giving the daugh.
ter everything in fee-even forbldding
her to provide for her only child II
she married to please herself and dis
please her mother
A widow indeed for fifteen year, all
in whiffet, Mrs. Jessup had changed
left Off mourning, bought fashion.
able bonnet, along with garments filter
for her daughter than herself Psy-
chology might explain 1t, albeit she
lacked something of forty-five. She
was not giddy, but whenever jim Mar.
tin had come-Marian flushed dark
red, and set her teeth as she recalled
looks Of invitation actions of allure,
above all transparent articles to Sc
cure solitude of two. Yet she had
been shaken indeed when Jim had said
difficulty: "Honey-Tve got to do 1t
no other way out. It'll all come right
If only you stand fast-and don't rlle
her-not about anything. You see, Tn
leaving you the same as herself. With
clear field I'm dead sure Judge Dandy
can make the rifle. Particularly, II
you play safe--make out you're so set
against stepfather you're likely to
run off with the first man that asks
you, as sure as she gives you one,
That'll tickle her pink. She knows
you won't do 1t. You can compro-
mise on going off to college Then
when the honeymoon has sobered to a
dog-trot-say in year--ll'l come back
and tell her she owes you to me as a
consolation prize
Possibly Jim capitalized public Gu
riosity. Certainly his sale drew rec
ord crowd, also record prices, SO he
went away, with hope In his heart,
and money in both pockets leaving
his namesake Jim-Dandy, the slashing
bay, to keep Marian In mind OF him.
But he made sure the local paper
should follow him. A printed an
nouncement Of the engagement of Mrs.
Jessup and Judge Dancy reached him
just day ahead of wedding cards. A
week later there was an anonymous
note with these words: 1.-THE plot
thickens. Watch out" Three weeks
later--the deluge. A honeymoon party
Of three as Jim's unlimited guests.
Behind glowering bridegroom and
bride traied Marian, frowning, down
cast, refusing to raise her eyelids, or
do more than nod to him by way of
greeting. Jim did the honors of his
new environment magnificently.
ii He asked never question, save as
to old friends and neighbors. Beneath
the surface and harmony, he sensed
a widening rift. Judge Dancy was al.
ways at his wife's elbow Jim knew
she wanted private speech with him,
but for three days could not compass
1t. Marian came to the rescue at last
demanding, upon the fourth morn.
Ing, to be taken by her stepfather to
see some famous views, which only he
could properly explain, Jim pleaded
Important business and went a little
way with the pair-then dashed back
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