The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-07


"Indeed, Mr.. Stanton, cannot accept
your escort It-I-they-oh, can't you
understandf'
Her face was turned away from him.
They had wandered away from the parade
on to the beach, and she was drawing
oabalistic figures on the shifty sand with
hsr parasol. Ho looked at her for a second,
and then he felt the blood rushing to his
head.
"My dear Miss Alban, do you mean
that any one-that some ONE
She nodded, not desisting from her
diagrams.
-"that some one has dared to hint that
-that--you know what mean"--
Apparently she did, for she answered In
low voice:
"That Is 1t. 1 overheard something In
the drawing room this morning. And what
would they say If you came to London
with mef'
There was moments pause, and with
O sudden gulp Luke Stanton plunged
manfully into the deep waters of q DECLARE
ton. They would say In truth that he
could not bear to lose her, that he loved
her, that he wanted nothing better than to
hear her say she would be his wife. Would
she say ii here-nowf He was an old man,
triple her age no doubt-but-but- He
stopped, out of breath and red of face, and
Miss Alhan covered hor face with her
hands and made no answer, even when,
having recovered himself, Mr.. Stanton
pressed her still further.
II don't know she murmured. Il
must think. am so surprised.
OF course she should have time to think
until tomorrow. Would she tell him to-
morrow
An inarticulate sound no doubt meant
yes, and then came more coherent You
will go now, won't your want to BIO
alone"
And, with many backward glance,
Luke Stanton went He chuckled to him
self again as In his own room his eyes fell
on the bowl of water, cold now, over which
he had opened Abrams letter He would
DO finely caught and 1t was not case Of
cutting off his nose to spite his face, for
Kittie Alban was as pretty girl as any
one could wish and perfect little lady.
He took unusual pains over his dressing,
crumpled inpumerable ties and ut last was
ready. To his dismay, however, when all
the guests had filed into table d'hote he
had to realize that Miss Alban, whose seat,
1t Is needless to say, was next to his own,
was absent
On questioning the waiter he found that
Miss Alban's dinner had been sent to her
room. Luke was disappointed and a little
alarmed He fidgeted about after the meal
in an aimless sort of fashion and finally
sent message to inquire after the absen-
tee. The answer came that Miss Alban
had a headache.
When o man of go screws himself up to
pitch of taking unto himself wife, the
presence Of the dear one elect is necessary
to prevent his rejecting too deeply on all
that the step may mean, and the evening
seemed very long to Mr.. Stanton.
No Miss Alban was visible at the usual
hour in the breakfast room, and an anx-
ious inquiry, less carefully worded this
time, ELECTED the same reply. Really I'M
easy now, Mr.. Stanton penned hasty
note of coincidence 1t began, my dear
Miss Alban," and ended, Yours always
sincerely" The poor man wandered about
feebly until lunch time, when the same
thing was repeated A leaf hastily torn
from his notebook, on which he hoped
that dearest Kittie' would not forget
her promise, and would come down pres
emily and end the suspense of Hers al
ways, l.. ST." was this time pushed under
the door with his own hand, and few
moments later small three cornered note
was brought him, with the laoonio COM
| munication inside of "4:30 on the parade. !"
1t was an hour and half to that time,
and 1t had to be got through somehow.
| Luke Stanton was distinctly impatient
His mind was made up. He would be
able to spite Adrian and his wretohed, lit
tie, low wife, and at the same time secure
| delightful companion for himself. But
he wanted 1t settled Surely no girl in her
senses could refuse. And the great charm
about Kittie Alban was her extreme sem
sibleness.
He knew the exact spot on which he
would be sure to meet Kittie, and he was
hurrying toward 1t when he carromed
against somebody coming in the opposite
direction.
~ beg-why, what the deuce'-
"Fatherl'
Adrian Stanton held out his hand per-
suasively.
"Come, father, you're going to shake
hands, / felt must come down"
did your Well, that's unfortunate, be-
cause I'm going back to town, "
but, dad, do listen to me- T.
~ won't listen, tell you. Besides,
have an appointment. can't stay"
The pink muslin frook was distinctly
visible. Luke felt that the situation was
intolerable.
Zone moment You must stay. My
wife is here You'll soc her-you'll"-
"I'll sec her.
"Directly, won't you, Mr.. StantonS' 9
soft voice broke in before the unpardonablt
word was uttered.
"Miss Alban," stammered Luke, "thit
| Is my son. T.
II know" And, to the old mans hor
ror and amazement, Kittie slipped her arm
within Abrams "And my husband.
Luke Stantons face became purple. HI
opened his mouth to speak and then all Of
a sudden stoed silent. my dearest Kittie
always your own, l.. s" The words seem
ed to buzz round him. And without Civ
ing himself time to collect his Thoughts
Kittie began to explain. The idea hat
been hers. The doctor had ordered her set
air and quiet and had suggested Grea
Startmouth Immediately afterward Adri
an had heard of his fathers intended sta!
there, and she insisted on having her owl
way. And. now he knew her, wouldn'
he have little mercyP Adrian broke in
Couldn't he understand Here Luke brok'
in quickly He would see them later on q
the hotel. But as he walked off Kittle RAJ
after him and pressed a crumpled paper In
to his hand. He opened 1t apprehensively
1t was his own note and behind 1t wa
scribbled hastily: Forget all this. N
one shall ever know, Whatever you de
eide, believe that"
A family party of three dined in Mr.
Stanton's private room that night and a
dessert Mrs. Stanton, Jr. received from he
fathor-in-law as wedding present
check for Ell 900 written not on prope
form, but on sheet torn from notebook
Queer old chap Fancy writing
check on scrap of paper like thatl' re
marked Adrian afterward. But Mrs
Adrian only laughed. She understood. =
London World.
How II Happens.
"Pa, why does history repeat itselfP''
because there Is no telephone CIR
| nj, .ff ~