The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1928-05-24
His Plans to Be
Married
BY JANE OSBORN

DROF. LATIMER JONES had
I played golf with two of the trus-
tees of Beta college. He had had
luncheon with six others and now,
after an hours converse with the
chairman of he board, there seemed
no longer reason to doubt the fact
that he would be the future presf-
dent of the hourishing little Beta
college. Five thousand dollars sal
airy wasn't much for college presl-
dent, but it was a lot more than
the two thousand he had received
as an instructor at Gamma. Then
the crash came:
"And now we shall he very glad
to meet Mrs. Jones-and since
your appointment is merely mat
ter of fOrm-you might" That
was what the chairman of the board
of trustees was saying.
'But there isn't any Mrs. Jones'"
announced Latimer.
The genial light faded from the
face of the chairman of the board.
"Oh," he said. '"Then | am
afraid there has been some misun-
Outstanding. You see, when asked
President Smith to recommend
candidate stipulated married
man. Because you see in coedu
cational college like Beta it is quite
imperative to have married p'esi-
dent. There is such close social
relationship between our students
and the faculty that the presI-
dents wife has an important role
to play. 1t may be a prejudice on
my part, but really insist"
Latimer Jones grinned sheepish-
~. He Jaw the five thousand dol
lars fading away.
81 happen to be engaged lied
Latimer. 81 rather expected to be
married this summer.
The genial smile returned. THAT
makes an enormous difference. ]
am Immensely relieved"
On the way home from Beta Lati
mer recalled this conversation
almost word for word and alter
nately blushed and turned pale at
the way in which he had commit
ted himself. For Latimer had re.
NAMED bachelor not only be-
cause he d never fallen in love
but because the very thought of
proposing marriage to any girl had
always filed him with cringing ter
ror. But by the time he had
reached his room in the faculty
club of Gamma university he had
determined to propose-to some one
and to keep on proposing to SOM
one until some one accepted.
But month passed and Lati
mer had not proposed. 1t was the
middle of May with commencement
at hand. By the middle of Septem-
Der he must not only be engaged
but married. And as yet the prog
ress he had made was to have made
brief call on Betty Fenwick. the
twenty-year-old daughter of Profess
sor Fenwick. He had no idea of
marrying Betty, but there had been
nothing out of the way in calling on
her, and in doing so he had at least
made start.
The idea of proposing to Betty
seemed infinitely remote. Still he
had grown fond of her freckles and
he was beginning to feel that girls
less plump were too thin.
Latimer lost courage. he was
ready to admit defeat. 1t would
be simple matter-just a letter to
the chairman of the board of trus
tees of Beta college announcing
change of plans. He need give
no further explanation, but had not
posted it. when letter came from
the chairman himself. He had
talked over the matter with the
other trustees, and they had decided
that since Mr.. Jones had as yet not
been married, it would better ac
cord with their plans If he post
poned the wedding for at least a
year. The presidents house haf
not been built. and they had decided
that it would be best to have the
new president reside for the first
year in the Mems hall.
The sense of relief that came first
was Immediately followed by a
sense of resentment. "Hot chance
they have of keeping me from mar
rying if want to-" muttered Lati
mer. linen lie tHOuSi1t VI Detty.
He tore up the first-draft letter to
the chairman of the board. as he re.
membered that Betty had said thai
she would be home that evening.
She was alone on the vine-cov
cred veranda of the old Fenwick
homestead when he called. He fell
the smooth little hand in his as she
led him to the far end of the porch.
81 was half afraid you wouldn't
ccme,'' said Betty. II don't be
lieve you, care much whether you
see me or not"
Scare % cried Latimer, and, then
in proper undertones, Betty, dear.
: love you. want to marry you.
want to marry you soon and take
you out to Beta. with me"
And the next day Latimer Jones
sent a special delivery letter to the
chairman of the board 81 have
made plans to be married in June.
It would be impossible for me Ito
alter these plans now. / will &C
cept your offer on condition that
may be received with my wife I'M