Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1907 — NAN WAS RIGHT [ARTICLE]

NAN WAS RIGHT

They, were very much in love, Ethel - Wynne and Percy—at least Ethelwynne waa, and in the secret recesses of her mind and heart she felt pretty sure that Percy was too. Percy was bashful. There was no doubt of that Times without number had she given him the best chances in the world to tell her that he loved her. and he had not told her. She had lured him Into the most dimly lit corners at the “proposal parties,” which all the girls were having. She had half pretended to take bis play proposal seriously, but that hadn’t been successful. She remembered, with a sting of wounded vanity, that he had actually seemed relieved when his five minutes were up and he had gone on t 6 propose to the next girl. She was pretty sure that he loved her, but she wanted to be surer. She based her belief upon solid facts. Percy bad a good deal of sense, she reflected, although not as bright as some. If attention went for anything, he certainly must be serious. He was good for the theater at least one night a week, had eaten expensive luncheons with her as often as she would consent to meet him downtown and make his midday meal happy; he had sent her Innumerable boxes of candy and dozens of flowers. Indeed he had always “given her a good time” in every way he could. “What do all these things mean," argued Ethelwynne silently to herself, “except that he Is really In earnest?” And as yet he had not proposed! What could she do? Her best friend, Dorothy, had just become enraged an \ w r: 'elring the “best wishes” of a few of her most intimate friends, the public announcement not having yet been made. “It is to be formally announced at my dinner tomorrow night,” said Etbelwynne’s cousin, Mrs. Jack Mather, a dashing young matron, who had married a lot of property, with a brainless youth attached, and now wanted everyone else married too.

“I’ll have the favors heart shaped, I think,” she said. “Wouldn’t you ?” Just at that moment Ethelwynne hated Dorothy. “By the way, honey,” continued Mrs. Jack, “when are you and young Chippendale going to get serious? Seems to me you’re going along at an awfully slow pace. Just like this last winter this time. What's the matter? I believe I’ll Just take a hand at this myself, and hurry things along. Don't you want me to announce your engagement tomorrow night, too, and see what will come of It?’ Ethelwynne was stunned for a moment, but she rallied quickly and, with flushed cheeks and shining eyes, said, “Nan, I’ll dare you to!” I The dinner was a great success. The announcement of Dorothy's engagement to her clever young doctor htd been received with great applause iJfid some consternation among two pr e girls who had secretly adored the doctor themselves and whose eloquent glances at each other meant In the feminine cipher code: “The sly thing! How did she do It?” They drank the health of the newly engaged couple and showered them with congratulations, and then—then Mrs. Jack rose, held high her glass and said, "I’m sure you will all Join me in wishing the best of success also to my cousin, Miss Allyn, and Mr. Chippendale.”

Everybody looked a trifle queer, Percy noticeably so. Ethelwynne was demurely confused. It had hardly been au announcement—and yet It had. After a moment of dazed surprise the guests came to the rescue, repeated the congratulations and drank to the health of Ethelwynne and Percy even In more cheerful fashion than before. They even rose from the table and, with laughter and jests, returned to the drawing room. “Oh, Mr. Bennett!” said Ethelwynne a few minutes later. “Oh, do you tbi.ik It will get into the papers? Whatever would I do?" (Mr. Bennett was connected with one of the city dallies.) “Why not?” he said, with a meaning look and a smile. “Isn't It all right? They are always put there, you know. You mustn’t l>e so modest.” “Oh, well, you see, yes, of course, It’s —but then, don’t you know, It’s so very —dear me, here comes Mr. Chippendale now. Oh, please, Mr. Bennett” — “Mlsb Aliya," said Percy la a solemn tone, “can you give me a few minutes? There’s something I want to say to you.” A half hour later they emerged from the music room looking a hundred times more confused and conscious than they had at the table, but withal very happy. As they passed an alcove where John Bennett was flirting desperately with u pretty dark eyed girl In a blue gown Ethelwynne leaned over, touched him on the shoulder and said, “Do you know, Mr. Bennett, I don’t believe I should mind so much, after all." The next morning Mrs. Jack Mather received a letter which contained only a clipping from the morning paper. It read: “The engagement Is announced of Miss Ethelwynne Allyn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Porter Allyn, to Mr. Percy Chippendale. The wedding la set for an early date.” And across the margin was written In Ethelwynue’s scrawling hand: “Nan, you are all right"—Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.