The Princeton union., 1891-01-29
"Hold- BIT, old boy" he said. :

have treated you badly, l know"
A fierce snort was the only response
deigned to give.
Eyes, | know it, but prudence was
essential You're not riled?" .o
"Riled!" answered, with forced calm
ness. Il can't see how you have used
me badly, but you must permit me to
say you have done yourself great in
justice
Tom seemed little puzzled.
And you have done u palpable, a
gross injustice WAS grand now, doing
the outraged virtuous-"to an old per-
son who'--- .s. rs. .@..
"Oh, bother the old person!" he inter-
rupted, carelessly. But then you have
really twigged what l am up to in the
morning?"
In the morning." A ray of light be-
gan to dawn upon me.
"Yes, in the morning. I'm going to-
now, old boy, don't look scared-Pm
going to run away and be married."
To be married! And in the morning!
The ray of light was a binding gleam
now. l was literally staggered. 1
dropped into chair with big lump in
my throat
Yes, my boy, I'm to be married in the
morning. You know I'd have told you
before, but Bet and only fixed it yester-
day. She arranged it all in the sleigh as
we came along; and, for reasons you
know so well, we must be quick; I'm
done for if the old party suspects. But
it's all tixed-you're to help me-"
81 help your gasped, family.
''Certainly. Who else? You must come
with us; you must be best man; you
must so with US to Uncle Bob and help
Bet explain all about the'-
"Lieut Jonesv'-I rose sttiffly and stood
at attention as Toms eyes opened very
wide-''Lieut Jones, I have no criticisms
to make on your cousins course. If she
desires to-
"Desires! the devil! Why, man, she
planned the whole thing arranged the
Christmas frolic, suggested all the de-
tails Of the elopement, and she specially
insisted you should aid U.s."
"She did,"
Eyes; she said you were so fond of us
both you'd be glad to do it."
Oh, the cruel grill the hardened, in
grained firt! This was why she had led
me on then. Tom kept on, speaking
rapidly, but with no sense to me in the
sound till caught:
$50 you see, my dear boy, it was she
originated the affair; she planned every
detail, not l..
''Stop sirr' I cried, hoarsely-my face
must have been purple; it felt black
''you have q right to run away, perhaps
to stoop to anything you please-the
lady is to be your wife. But, by heaven!
you have no right to compromise your
cousin by saying these tlings.'
''Ihere's something in that, Tom NUT
tered, thoughtfully; II mustn't let Bets
name get out, Of course. only told you
you know" l gave grunt that was
meant for scalding sarcasm. "Bet will
tell you all about it herself"
"Oh, she WILL" painted.
ITO be sure. She told me she cou Id
make it all right with you. That's what
we were talking about when you drove
over the cad today"
Oh, the cold blooded, heartless CO.
quette! To deliberately plan torment
for me thus! And he, my old school
mate, my bosom friend! If the soft
answer that turneth away wrath had
been a deadly weapon I should have
used it then. But it wasn't, so I said no
word, only strobe about the room, loosen
ing my neckcloth by fierce and sudden
tugs.
Tom, lying flat on his back and putting
little Wreaths into the air, eyed me with
some Wonderment. At last he said
cheerily:
"Well, old boy, don't take on so. It's
as sudden for me as it is for you, and a
deuced sight more serious to boot. So
LII count on you Of course in the morn
ing"
''Count on me! I tell you I'll have
nothing to do with it, Your uncle Blythe
would never
popcorn! | say, Bet will make it all
right with Uncle Bob. verify believe
he'd have helped us if we had dared to
trust our secret"
''Helped you! Mr.. Blythe not object!
And still you are mad enough to risk let
ting the tongue Of gossip soil the name
OF the woman you love! You plan this
mad escapade far away from his roof
when he might have consented
''To what?' Tom sat bolt upright on
the bed, resting on his hands, behind
him. A strange, ftful contraction swept
over his face, followed by very grin of
agony. was merciless.
"To your union with his daughter"
said sternly.
My words struck him like a bullet. He
clenched his teeth until the cigar drop.
ped in two from them; his face grew
crimson, it's muscles twitched convul,
slvely and his chest heaved with a des-
perate struggle for breath. Then, with
a gasping sob, he buried his face in the
pillow, while his whole frame shook and
trembled like an aspen.
was panied, shocked. The sight o1
1.-The tears Of bearded men" is ALWAYS
touching beyond expression, and besides
was at loss to account for the great
violence of his sudden emotion.
l became more puzzled as I looked, fol
he still sobbed and shook with the weak
ness of child.