The Delta independent., 1900-10-05

hers" he declared with delicious men
dacity.
After supper they went into the par
lor. Hanora played on the organ
yes. and sang, too, in a sweet thin lit
tie voice She sang 1.-The Meeting of
the Waters" and The Kerry Dancing
and the Wearing of the Green" No
rag-time for Hanora.
She's q jewell" commented Dennis
Mcguire. addressing Tobias Ryan.
when they parted on the sidewalk.
"Ain't-ain't''-timid there any
wan a-coortinn"
"Niver a wan!" returned Tobias.
He felt SO guilty upon his return he
could hardly make the proper re-
sponses to the decade" which Hanora
was giving out" He did not come
home until 10 O'Clock the following
night-nor yet the next. He explained
his absences by mysterious allusions
to "caucuses" and primaries" there
by soothing Hanora and stultifying MS
conscience. 1t was not until Hanora
found a rose in the buttonholle OF his
coat one morning and little lace
trimmed handkerchief in his pocket
that her direst doubts were aroused
But even these Tobias explained away.
Sure the flower cost nothin, Han
ora. Twas from a bush was p1ssin'.
And the handkerchief was on the side
walk thought belike you could
make use of it,
He was rapidly becoming beautiful
liar.
A week later he refused to go out
with Hanora and Dennis on account OF
the night being damp. He had rheu-
matism, he said So his sister and his
friend went to the theater and Tobias
settled himself to the composition OF
long and fervent letter. the accomplish
ment Of which necessitated frequent
reference to tie pocket dictionary he
had bought for this purpose. To make
long story shoI land 1t was not
such long story when all was said
Hanora married Dennis Mcguire. To-
bias was desolate-disconsolat He
might go to live with them. Dennis
had won a treasure. Yes. he might go
to live with them after awhile. For
the present he would take hts meals
at restaurant until sure what could
be done with the furniture-and SO on.
All through her wedding journey.
which lasted full three weeks. II troub-
led Mrs. Maguire 10 determine what
was the matter with Tobias. She told
her new made lord all about his even
ing absences, his mild acceptance OF
distastefui viands. his abrupt and eager
hospitality toward Dennis-even about
the rose and handkerchief. II was not
until she had returned to Chicago and
went out to the fat where had been
passed her year, Of mature maiden
hood that she really discovered the
truth about Tobias.
For the nat into which she let her
self with her latch key was altered.
decorated, illumined. There were cur
tains of rosy swissoline Mt the win
dows. There were lot Of flowers on
the table. A canary sang In q gildcd
cage. and-what was that! A parasol
in the corners hat on the sewing ma
chine! Such frivolous hnt-ail chif-
fon and daisies! Hanora turned quite
faint. Could Tobias
"O." cried a radiant little creature
huttering out of one OF the Pullman
car apartments which serve as bed
rooms in the modern nat Il did not
know any one was here. Take this
chair. You are Mrs. Larch. know.
Tobias said the wife Of his friend in
the shipping department would call.
We arc not really fully settled yet.
Our wedding was quite a suurprise to
our friends. but really VIC had been
considering II for some time. was in
the ribbons. you know. and became ac-
Quainted with Mr.. Ryan while at the
store But II seems he had an old
maid sister living with him. and hav-
ing . girls natural distaste for rela-
tons ns-in-law-though doubtless some
Of them are kind enough, I suggested
10 Tobias that IL would be better To
marry her on II possible bcfore-why
what"