The Press., 1898-11-24
.Then it's settledr' she exclaimed

gleomily.
 sI am afraid it is ''
 s'What is the name of this wonderful platter
 's1 think it is called Hatton House." " She broke into laugh.
 .TIatton Houser' she cried. ''I am afraid auntie will be disappointed. ; sWny?'' l asked hopefully.
 Mr. Grierson has iust told me that last night he completed the purchase of he house. y
 ABy Jovei" cried. "How fortu- natei''
 Carierson and Dora Paget were some disfance ahead by now.
 skThey are going the long way around, ; said. ''Let us turn down tbesiane and meet them at Walbridge corner. They will know where we have gone. !"
 Irene gave me hesitating look. You seem a little tired said, land it is considerably shorter-the third side of a triangle, you know"
 She assented to the proposal, and we turned into the lane.
 It will be surprise to Mrs. Ken. yon," l began. II wonder what she will say''
 Don't you think, Hugh, that in the past we have been accustomed to pay i just trifle too much attention to what auntie says?''
 shot a glance at her. Her eyes were contemplating the handle bars.
 T suppose that is why we became engaged, y I ventured
 Do you mean to say that you didn't 1 love mel" she asked quickly. thought I detected shade of eagerness in he1 tone.
 My dear Irene, said reproach fully, "do you think we should have become engaged if we had not been at tracted to one another?'
 "Yes, yes, she said impatiently "But do we love one another?"
 'tOf that am not so sure ''
 She was thoughtful for a moment "Then, she said slowly, "do yor think, Hugh, we are justified in run ming. such terrible risk?''
 fought the matter out with my con science.
 "No said at length. "Whatevel our private feelings may be, think it il plainly our duty to- I paused.
 "What?" she cried almost eagerly.
 "Break off the engagement, sait sorrowfully. There was long pause.
 We reached Walbridge corner, ant alighting from our machines seated our selves on a grassy bank to await thu others. In few minutes they rode up
 'Well, l do think you are mean r cried Dora.
 s'Yes, we must apologize, said "We took a short cut to happiness mean to Walbridge." I pulled out my watek<r We must hurry to be back il time 4 luncheon. y
 We anted, and again found my self s side.
 z cr invited me to como ant ma your town house, 7 sais
 'sI think she would be rather glad You know we admire one another. We'll we have been talking the matter ove and come to the conclusion that this i not quite sufficient, so by mutual con sent we have terminated the engage ment J
 ''Is that what happened in the lane?' she exclaimed in surprise.
 "Yes. That is why think the hun of things, followed by trip to Nev Zealand, would be distinctly agreeable May come?"
 "Yes," she said, with smile, ''i you promise not to devote too mucl time to the club window. But, Mrs Kenyon-what will''- she added.
 1T don't know" I replied, ''and strange to say, feeling that don care much is gradually taking posses sion of me.
 Dora laughed gayly.
 'fHow brave you are! !' she said.
 Later in the day--it was after lunch eon-the news was broken to Mrs. Ken yon. Naturally she was little sur prised; but, contrary to our expecta tions, she did not appear to be mucl annoyed.
 Perhaps it is for the best, ' she sai' philosophically.
 Irene and myself are at present ful filling our expressed intention of ad miring one another at distance-sh from that desirable residence, Hattol House, where she is known as Mrs Grierson, and from remote part Q New Zealand, where Dora and mysel are wandering on a prolonged honey moon trip.-Black and White.