The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-12-31
Dy Fergus Hume.


he asked. carclessly.
'.PictaiI, oh. the Chinamany No. I
never saw him before. He seems TO know
you. Leonard
''Fraid he doesn't HIM, No doubt
he's heard we're Just home from Chinese
waters. and wants TO ask few ques-
tions."
Now in the open. the young man -carch-
81 the mist with an anxious air. which
altogether bclied his very casual words.
and again he patted his pocket. But
catching no further sight of the China
man. he turned To the girl beside him
Where's your bike. Norah?" he ask
ed Il want to get under cover and be
properly welcomed home"
Haven't | welcomed You property"
said Miss Wharton. demurely.
Officially Is the word. But, when we
fetch Trafalgar Villa Alloy. Vyse,
bring that machine here! Where's your
own
Teddy and I ride tandem" shrieked
Fancy. steering n complicated mechan-
ism toward the group. Heads or tails?'
Tails. Of COURSE" said Teddy. prompt
IL '"rhey wouldn't thank us TO chivy
them all the way TO Oldport. Sides.
they'll want to-ouch"' for Leonard,
suddenly sweeping HIS legs from under
him. had seated him on the ground.
..Oh my soul. here's treatment for the
Oldport millionaire"
You haven't bought manners with
your money yet" said Jayne. grimly.
Let me ship YOUR parasol. Norah. Well
push on. These brats can follow"
''Brats!' echoed Fancy. and forthwith
became speechless with wrath. Not I'M
I'll the lovers had wheeled off did she re-
cover her tongue. and then It was to lash
Teddy for not having defended her. But.
OF course you're only civilian. she
finished. after a whitening diatribe.
AT all events. I'm a more ardent lover
than the sailor-man."
1.-The idea" exclaimed feminine fifteen.
"a child like you TO talk OF love! AT
twenty. too
81 am not twenty-five"
s.Wha said Won Were" retorted Fan
~. mounting. You can't understand
the queens English. You're twenty and
I'm forty 4 woman is always double
tine age OF a man"
Il wish Miss Prim could hear you"
Bother Miss Prim. Old caS! That FOR
Miss Prim.'
IT'S not pretty TO stick out your
tongue. Fancy"
.'Ai'tonglies m'0wn 10 do as Ike win.
There. and there" She stuck 1t out de
/ De angry At my leaving Norah without
chaperone.'
Teddy put hts foot on the pedal with n
cl,,.tI. ..,'haperoue, Gooseberry! All
aboard. or she goes. ducky.
..Xulear boy" and the tandem shot
away i'm the rear Of the lovers.
A. the fog closed around II a Chinamah
carn., singing after at n quick trot, as
sisted in his pursuit 10y the occasional
jingle of the bell
But the chaperones were dtddled out OF
their duty much 10 their disgust, Tor theS
ta.l- an ardent interest i'm the iove-ma king
OF their seniors. Jayne and Norah, hav-
In, the lead. kept it until they had COW
cred Two miles TO Oldport and brought
,.t, al the gate of Trafalgar Villa. Here
"A dummy little woman. with shawl over
her head. awaited them I'm state OF
querulous complaint.
rs that you. Leonard? Well. you are
late. I'm glad 10 see you. No, don't
kiss me on that cheek. my tooth's ach-
ing You shouldn't make me SO anxious.
/ thought some accident. Do come In
Norah. youn get rheumatism. and can't
nurse YOU. Ughi How cold il is
sorry were late. Aunt Selma. My
fault entirely. Much "a l could do to
yvhe,.,ile leave from the old man. only
three hours. aunt
..Ah. we'll" sighed this agreeable lit
tie woman. ITS better FOR you to work
shan 10 play. No doubt your captain
knows that. Where are the others
This question was answered by a dou-
HE warwhoop as the tandem swept grand
Is round the corner and into COLLISION
with the other machines.
There VS. a howl from Teddy. an an
swcring shrek from Fancy. and Jayne
ran hastily down to rescue the pair from
the debris Mrs. Wharton walled shrilly
Ia tn, doorway. while Norah. accustomed
t. such scenes. lid her best to pacify her.
Are they doad2 . Fancy. l know you'll
Z KIN yourself some day, you stupid girl.
It's mercy"
"AH serene sung Teddy. straight
ening, the wreck. ''Fancy's bumped a
little, that's all"
You beast" whispered Fancy. I'm
chopped an over"
Fancy shrieked Mrs. Wharton. mo
lady says Clipped
.-Shc would If a pig chucked her on n
bike. ma. Come in Len, l want rub
~ Ehman-and you Fancy grinned
| In the gaslight.
~ kiss from you. Fancy" and Jayne
/ suited the action TO the word. How
you've grown. old girl.'
1 ~ IN always ietDnS NoWn tuNhS. IA
A., meut,-,i the mother. and the quantity
/ she eats All. I'm glad TO think her
! poor father has been spared the trouble
/ Fancy gives me. Go and take off your
1 things. Norah. Fancy. tell Martha In
/ get the tea. Leonard. you and | must have
a word on "A sad subject
/ Lieutenant Jayne cast n comical look
/ Of dismay on N0rah. and followed his
aunt into a tiny drawing room. lie knew
what that sad subject" was. and hated
/ 10 have it handled by this professional
mourner. Mrs. Wharton loved. in the
discussion Of other peoples troubles. TO
| relate her own with much detail. As a
/ widow she wore black. though the late
| Captain Wharton had been dead ten
I years. Her eyes invariably gave evil
dcnce or an immoderate grief Tor the woes
( OF all and sundry.
] With the utmost CuSto now she set
/ herself To lower Leonard's spirits. Even
his robust appearance served her as ma
| terial for warning. You're looking well.
1 Leonard" sighed she. wagging her head.
I but after all those years i'm the tropics.
| You are pretty sure To get pneumonia
! or consumption I'm this damp place They
| say we shall have a wretched winter"
''Oh. daresay I'll survive it," laughed