Short Story.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 158, 28 January 1902, Page 4

Short Story.

MAY MARRIED^

* Yes. May is married. One ot nicest men that ever came into oat set, too.’ ‘ Strange, isn’t it ?’ ‘ Very. May is not beautiful ot clever.’

‘ And yet she won the prize.’ ■‘ She undoubtedly did.’ ‘ But how did she do it T * I know." The girls who did not know sat up straight in their chairs. * How •?’ they exclaimed in one breath.

‘ It began with her staying with her cousin Torn one night when it rained. That was the first time we met Mr Carse. May’s room opened on the same little three-cornered court that Tom’s does. Well, that night Mr Carse stayed with Tom, May’s window was open, and she heard every word they said. ‘Did she tell you ?’ ‘No. I stayed all night with May'’ ' Oh, then you heard it, too ?’ ‘Yes—oh,-yes—l had the same opportunity. But to go on. As soon as they had closed their door that night Mr Carse said : ‘ Deuced fine girls, your fnends.’ ‘That’s what they are,’ Tom responded. ‘‘Especially that little one with the pink checks and the Meredith curl.’

‘ She’s not bad,’ Tom was good enough to remark. ‘ Nice little thing, too, youf cousin.’

‘ Yes, May ia all right in he* way ; not my style, though.’ ‘ May vowed all kinds of vengeance. She says a cousin is worse than a brother.

‘Da you know, Torn, what 1 would do if I meant to marry ?’ Mr Garse went on. ‘l’d call at all sorts of unusual hours I’d surprise her by the chance calls. That is the only way to know a girl. You see her then as she is.’

‘ I’m with you there,’ Tom re* marked, throwing his shoes across the room. I can’t stand an untidy girl. Now. May— ’ ‘ Yes, a nice little thing—but I was wondering if Miss Ames’s colour is her own, and if she pins the Meredith curl on afterwards.’

* Well, we fell asleep to the gentle murmur of their voices, and I knew no more till I was awakened the next morning hearing someone up in the room. I opened my eyes, and what do you suppose they beheld ? May at the dressing table brandishing her curling iron. I lay still and watched her to see why she was up so early. ‘ She brushed her hair carefully, then lock by lock curled all the ends. Next she darkened he* eyebrows. Then she stole noise* lessly out of the room, and, after several moments’ absence came back with a big led beet in her hand. She tore a piece out of tka beet, and she proceeded to rub bet cheek with it. It gave her a fresh, warm glow. Next she dusted some talcum powder over that and around jhor neck carefully. Then she took out of the wardrobe a fresh pink kiraona and put it on. She looked awfully sweet and fresh, with her hair all flying in those natural cutis. By this time there was a stir in the bouse. You ought to have seen May fly to her window. Up went the window and blind, and she leaned out between the lace curtains.

‘Do wake up I’ she cried back to me. 1 It’s a lovely day ; the air ij3 invigorating; slip on One of my kimonas and take a look out.’

‘ I threw on bar purple kimona that gives me a pumpkin hue, and joined her, curl papers and all. At the first glance I saw 'l’om’s window was open, and Mr Carse was inspect* ing the weather. ‘ You mean thing!’ I cried, drawing back. ‘ You knew Mr Carse was there !’

‘ Oh, is he ?’ she exclaimed ; and hastily drew in her head and lowered the blind.

* At breakfast he complimented her on her appearance, and she hung her head demurely—of course she couldn’t blush, the beet wouldn’t change colour, but that was the beginning. You know the ending.*