Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 164, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1917 — MAIL IS MIXED [ARTICLE]

MAIL IS MIXED

By MAUD MULLER.

» “I have the greatest mind,” Elinor began, pausing to look reflectively out the window. “To say *yes,’ of course,” Millard broke in peevishly. “What else can you say—being a well-brought-up young person?” “Why, no, goosey—only I’m not sure I want to say it. Not absolutely.” Elinor returned judiciously. Millard smothered an imprecation. “We know what the end is—when a woman listens,” he said bitterly. Elinor laughed softly. “In the end she changes her mind sometimes,” she said. “Don’t be a simpleton, Johnny Millard. We may be counting chicks that are never to be hatched.” “What! With that letter?” Millard cried. Again Elinor laughed. “You overlook the date —April 1,” she said. “Suppose somebody—never mind who —were playing a prank to embarrass me?” “Somebody whose name is Anne McGraw! I see!” Millard cried, his face wonderfully-- brighter. “Don’t call names—it isn’t safe,” Elinor entreated. “Anne would give her back hair to have you say ‘No’,” Millard giggled. Elinor looked at him reproachfully. “When it cost thirty dollars! You can’t get such a switch for even that, now,” she said; “which is why I’m so thankful not to need one—if I did need it!” “You know you need be nothing but yourself,” the enamored Millard said softly. Again she shook her head. “Wrong—as usual,” she saldT Mature was before you. Be satisfied with her work,” Millard said fondly. V “flow can I? If you think I’m already perfect you won’t slave to improve me,” Elinor said proyqkingly. “My great mind is to send this”—touching the letter she held—“on to Anne. My name does not appear in it —it begins, as you'see: ‘Enchantress of my heart!’ You’ll help me, won’t yt'u, address it in a disguised but mas--euMne hand?” ~r “Wlmt will be the upshot?” Millard questioned. Elinor shrugged. “Wedding bells, of course, stupid,” she said. “Trust Anne _ for that —even if she knew.” “I demand a bribe for forgery," Millard said, putting his hands behind him. She looked at him reproachfully. “Wilt not the consciousness of a good deed suffice?” she asked. “I call it a work both of charity and necessity to help Anne to a husband. Eldest Of six McGraws —all girls and the rest sinfully ugly.” “Here goes. I prove me Adam’s son . —as you are Eve’s daughter, temptress.” Millard laughed, writing tha name with many flourishes. When the letter was sealed and stamped Elinor said, her eyes dancing: . “Now run away and mail it —and don’t you dare Come again until there are developments.” ________ She bad not long to wait. The very next morning came a wail by" phone— Wesley Martin, esquire, was certain he had mixed up his mail. He had written to her and to Anne —Miss McGraw, you know, at the same time. Anne had jil*t called up to say—oh, well, that she had got the wrong note an<i couldn’t wait to write. Had Elinor got the epistle meant for Anne? It is a pity wires can carry only sounds —Elinor’s headshake was so splendidly emphatic. Her assurances made Wesley moan harder than ever. When shemade light of the mistake—it could be only a trifle —he positively groaned,, ending with a half-blubbered, “I’m coming over right away. I’ll have a fit if I can’t get things straightened.” He came, spoke, but did not get: things straightened. Elinor met him with both hands held out, crying r “Greetings! Felicitations! So you did do it, in spite of your shyness!” “I—l—er—don’t quite understand, r Wesley faltered. “Oh, ho! You forget other people can call me up—Anne McGraw did the minute you were through talking. And she told me—well, good news. She’ll make you a splendid wife—” “But—hut—l don’t want her. I want you. She must have mixed up things —sent the proposal to herself!” Wesley cried in confusion. “I didn’t write her—that was just —just—a way tQ- 2 - let her out easy.” “Tell me, did you think of it? The plan, I mean?” Elinor asked, a Stately touch creeping into her voice. Wesley nodded, but said eagerly: “I never would have done it—too much afraid, you know. But when I told Anne she k said she’d help me, and then, whether yoii said ‘yes’ or ‘no, ’ L’dbave the whip hand—” _ “You could buy me a solitaire or cry April fool—eh?” Elinor said, sparks 3hooting from her eyes. Wesley cow;red. “You —you know which I’d have lone,” he stammered. “Don’t be anrry” Elinor’s eyes suddenly softened. ‘Listen, Wesley,” she said. “Anne played you false. I sent on your proposal to her —don’t be angry that she ias taken you at your word. Be a nan. Marry her.” “°As I shall marry Elinor,” Millard raid, coming in from the hall and an-,. Jaciously taking her in his arms. 'Copyright, • 1917, by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.)