Show My Matrimonial Ma Chances I By Y Wilma i i Pollock Polloch TH THE E su SUBSTITUTE Eugene Evans g has Ims never ne married be because because because be- be cause his heart was set on ott winning Elizabeth Hunter for his wife lone Gene who was about fifteen years ears old ol r than waited for rOt her to toI reach a marriageable age Tiie Then Ihen he be began began be- be I gan to court her But she knew kne sh she would not man marry I him antI and so did everybody e y el else e except Gene Cene who ma made e her life one continuous ou ous joy ride rille and hoped on When hen Babs Dah wanted to include me her chum In lm any of their parties Gone Gene invited his chum Billy Ward Geno Gene and aud Babs Bubs paired off always leaving Billy to make love 10 to mae me I have often wondered how hos' he managed to do to it so M sincerely when all th the time he must really have been longing to be with Babs For Gene 3 adored orell Babs DUb Dilly adored Gene Geno and also abs Babs At first Ba Dabs Babs s looked upon Billy as a a. mere bo boy because he was eight years younger than Gen Gene But he lie wa was dear handsome ambitious and successful and amid in time timo she decided he lie would suit her admirably as a n husband The They played the tho game honorably and amI as aslon lon long as aR Gene was waR still in th the ring DIll Bill Billy l kept ept out A When Ahen hen Dabs Dab for tor the tho tenth time re refused reused re- re used fused Gene Gen he began bean to see sea he was the the- dog In the manger manCl who was keeping the two lovesick children apart So he lie packed up and went West Vest His going goin I was as good as a God Cod bless ble you m my children for after aCter Gene Osime left Billy never called on OtI me again He concentrated concentrated concen concen- on I Habs abs and in t o months months' time limp the they announced their engage engage- men ment t. t Gene came back not a 10 lover hover t pal jale ale and ancI wan wun but hut apparently heart whole hole in Sn time to be bestman hestman best man at tho the wedding I was maid of That is Js a as near nem as I have ever got ot to marrying I Gene came caine to see ee me inc a few tew times limes limesand and then until hist week week I had not een seen him since Babs abs and Billy Dilly celebrated cole cele their wooden wedding Al Although Although Al- Al though Gene Geno and I frequently visited Babs we happened never to meet We Yc met again Frida Friday evening ening at the c celebration of at the Wards Wards' tin wedding at nt Tarrytown Most fost of ot the guests gueIts went back hack on Oil a late iain but Dabs Babs' sister Katharine and antI her fiance Hugh Huh Carr the newly Wl wed wOd ll Browns Jack Jacl Jacland and Maud Rivers Bob and Sybil Sybll Kin King Genes Gene's married sister Bister and amid her husband and Gene and I remained with Babs Dabs and Billy for the week end I expected to feel teel quite out of oC It among all aU these Ulese happy couples Bui Gene was m my devoted de Galahad He lie behaved be be- bd hayed haved like a foolish Coolish lover lo It was wonderful wonderful wonderful won won- to be e adored t so o although h I al almost ai- ai lI l- l I most wished he lie would be a n. little more mote reserved reser anti and conceal his ardor a little I from the time others j i In n the soft lamp li lighted room after alter t a a. strenuous day out of or doors ho hu my feet before the fire file gazing worshipfully wor- wor up at me 1110 and audi audibly b whispering whispering whis whis- I the nothing I The others were all vastly interested and excited Gent Gene was oblivious to lo everybody und amid everything but me On Monday morning the time m men n left on onon onan onon on an early carly train train all all but Gene who de deI devotedly devotedly de- de I voted I waited b to go bra to lo town with n m m. m The kindergarten I on onIon Mondays Mondays Mon Ion I days das so there was no nl need d of ot m my hur- hur j Dabs Babs drove e UK us to the in her I car and made 1 us s promise to come soon again agnin taking it quite for Cor granted that we would only want to come together ether I We e e were no sooner on tho the train than I j Gene heaving a great real sigh i h said i Thank God Gall thal's that's over I am so soI I weary of or having people pity me beI because because be be- cause I am still in love lovo with wilh Babs I Even en my own sister says iJ'S I hang hans around Babs alJ too loo much 1 I thou thought ht 1 I would cure them of the th inert idea Think I succeeded sue suc dont don't you For Ot even IJa Dabs s was fooled I Ilene knew you would not take me seriously I made made- you ou the goat I hut but jouie youre always nias gamo g antI and under under- I I stand I assured acne Oene 1 knew ull uli time the time h ut he was playing For If IC It made him happier I 1 do not mind being boing hurt and disappointed and made a fool of In the eyes of m my friends For I was cas not nol born sensible Have i 1 not achieved ed being game anti and ha haI has I not In he-In being made the goat oat been upon me |