New-York tribune., 1900-12-09

S-As H-An inns A1ofnllB, you know"
Alured drank his coffee hastily AT a pincb
he said, Il would bury a live mani know one
or two who'd be the better for it-but buryin' a
dead one is beyond me-" He lighted a cigar
by the way, can you tell me the name of that
lady who sat in the front left hand pew i'm
church on Sunday? dark woman" he went
on; plenty Of color. fine figure rather crummy-
looks as If she could give you what for if she
got her monkey up."
You're joking!" said Choom. You're as well
acquainted with Mrs Mantowl Of Elmhows. as
myself"
"of course I am" assenteG Alured. There
was girl in the choir gallery l thought rather
attractive" he went on. slight, with bay hair
and chestnut eyes, a white gown and a picture
hat"
you're Joking again," exclaimed Mr.. Choom
AS though you and Miss Geraldine Halkett
were nor He coughed and got red Il
nave always thought that you ought 10 know"
he continued with effort. that on the occasion
OF the Harvest Festival, when you and Miss
haIkett were wreathing the pulpit with toma-
Toes The gulped-"I accidentally saw and
overheard what took place
What did take place old chap?" asked Alured
curiously
You're not like yourself. Mr CottIe," said
Choom; "and it's my duty to tell you that in
my opinion an evasion is as bad as falsehood
a clergy man is but man, after all" he went
on, with cleaning spectacles, and Miss Geral-
dine Halkett is an uncommonly attractive young
lady; but even upon a weekday Mr. Cottle. the
pulpit is not the place for''-he coughed again
for kissing"
lAo kiss her?" asked Alured with interest
You know you did, Mr.. Cottle!" said Mr.
Choom warmly. Alured was pleased to find him
self upon such agTeeably intimate terms with
the charming girl in the picture hat. He leaned
back in his chair and smiled Then he looked
out into the rectory grounds and his face
frightened.
Miss Geraldine Halkett. looking even prettier
IN ooquettish sailor hat and serge cycling
dress. than she had appeared on Sunday was
walking up the avenue toward the rectory.
wheeling her machine And leaving Mr. Choom
TO bury his resentment and Mr.. Tradgett to-
gether Alured hurried forth to meet his fair
visitor
so you have come back TO US" said Geraldine
Halkett. although you vowed you never
would" Her manner was tinged with CO.
quetry.
i reconsidered my decision in cooler blood"
said Alured or in warmer, am not quite sure
which. And-I have come back to you"
How wonderfully improved he is" thought
Geraldine. Il came TO bring message from
uncle" she said. And, upon my own part
shall be glad if you viii come to tea at the
Michems at 1 O'Clock" AS Alured eagerly ac-
cepted the invitation smart pony trap ratified
along the road. Its driver, a stoutish dark
high colored lady, cast fiery glance over the
hedge into the rectory garden.
oh" calculated Geraldine Did you see
that? She cut us both-dead! Forgive me Mr.
Cottle! 1 should not have come" Tears filed
her eyes. But how could / know that La
Vinia"-
- Is that Lavna?" cried Alured.
You saw Mrs. Mantowl as well as T." said
Geraldine And now-now We shall have that
old story Of the Harvest Festival revived
again!"
''Of course!" said Alured. Il remember. We
were garlanding the pulpit with tomatoes 1
when He paused.
You told me that you loved me-" said Ger |
aldine. and that lifelong barrier existed be- |
tween US" She dropped her eyes
Geraldine" said Alured passionately there 1
is no barrier between US, I am freei"
You make me so happy Aloysius," said Ger /
aldine, raising shining eyes TO his face. She /
turned her machine toward the open gate placed /
her little foot upon the pedal and shot away like
an arrow
What a sweet girl," thought Alured II
wonder whether she considers US engaged? \
Hullo!"
He jumped out Of the way as wheels grated 4
over the gravel and a DOnV's nose graze6 his