The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1926-03-05
"The Best Laid
Schemes"
By MARTHA M. WILLIAMS
Copyright. ,


asked acidly: what Is 1t that's no
wonder? And are you through read ]
ing the news?'
Here Take the paper" said the
mother, "but don't have I'll when
you find out Jim Martin is going To
sell out, stock. lock and barrel, and
go somewhere-maybe California.
Don't be scared--he told me all
about II yesterday" Marians accent
was triumphant.
Where? I'd like to know!" Mrs.
Jessup cried. sharply
"Oh 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 word!'
Mrs Jessup calculated. 81 do hate
slyness-"
Marian had vanished, saying over
her shoulder: Don't wait dinner for
me-I'm going for long ride"
Nineteen0.and never free breath
all that time-life was as sluggish as
waveless, as a mill pond margined by
high green banks. If only her father
had lived He might possibly have
dominated her mother. Failing that,
Marian was glad he had escaped.
with and up for his daughter. would
have made other escape impossible.
Else why that will, giving the daugh-
ter everything in fee-even forbidding
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 it, 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-Pve got to do it
no Of9,er way out. It'll all come right
If only you stand fast-and don't rile
her--not about anything. You see, I'm
leaving you the same as herself. With
q clear field I'm dead sure Judge Dandy
can make the rifle Particularly. il
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-Il'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 a 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: "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 trailed 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 magniflcently.
He asked never a question. save as
to old friends and neighbors. Beneath
the surface and harmony, he sensed
widening rift. Judge Dancy was al
ways al 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
to Marian's mother, who greeted him
with: Thank the Lord! didn't be-
lieve we'd make It."
Shoot quick NY guess is, he'll be
back In an hour" from Jim.
Sooner maybe" the wife sighed
running on: "Oh jim! Jim. what
made you go away? You're my only
hOpe-you don't even know the mess
I'm tangled In. My Marian. all the
child Eve got, swearing to marry the
first that asks her-and he-the Judge
scheming to keep her under his eye
until he can fetch back from South
Africa that no-account grandson OF
his--make him ask her and get all the
money. He wanted it--not me: when
he found he could do nothing but LEI
me have 1t. he hatched un this scheme
And I'd always hoped you'd marry hen
and take care of us bOth--''
so had l." Jim said heartily. .Not
too late for 1t yet .
Almost = cried the mother: THAT
oaf is comm home this way May he
her any time now
Don't fret from Jim: "Pll get
busy right Away"
That afternoon he staggered bit
as ne said 10 the Dancys: wish me-