The Washington weekly post., 1900-03-13

APSA one might pass IL % unDolitro- q,
Msrst0n would have done this time but
for an arresting sight and sound.
On one o, the riekety benches. with
their backs 10 the road. sat Jack. "ths
cub" and Nancy, the waitress" On
the floor Of the pavilion lay the stark
bodies OF some birds and squirrels. "fhe
boys hard-ssrned contribution TO hat
days dinner.
At the moment when. by slashing away
a branch OF the sapling. Marston discoy-
cred them Nancy was actually kissing
Jack and calling him by all manner OF
endearing names. How could Marston
know that her demonstration sprang from
ecstatic gratitude to Jack for saving them
the humiliation OF that soup bone7 And
Jack! He was simply beiIg insuferable!
MsrstoR had much ado &c restrain him.
self from collaring him the e and then.
What was that he was ssying?
MY dear girl, this can't 60 on much
longer without a grand blowout. Conceal
ment is preying on your damask cheek
You know how love you, Nancy"
Then let me alone. Let me have my
own way. Don't be trying toto
But there she grew utterly incoherent,
and. to Marston's complete disgust, fell
TO weeping silently. with her head on
Jacks shoulder and his "villainous young
arms'' about her waist.
Ii was with this picture maddening him
that Marston strode past the pavilion on
his way 10 the village. It was with the
memory Of the cubs" endearing tones
lashing him into fury Of jealous wrath
that ne came back by the same route an
hour later and found himself suddenly
confronted by Mr.. Jack Henderson. who
Was composedly arranging his game bag
10 the best advantage over his shoulder.
"Hellor' said Jack, cheerfully. He was
in high good humor with himself and his
prospective dinner.
Been rowing your workmen up?'
mo: I've been to the village with a
lette-"
Jack grinned
THE boy would have taken 1t II you'd
waited till O'clock"
II did not object TO the walk" Then.
with suden ferceness, What have you
dene with your compa nion?''
THAT measly little setter? She's no
good. l drove her home. I've done better
without her"
Il am talking of your sisters girl. Nam
cy- l am not good at beating about the
bush, Jack. / may as fell tell you / saw
everything. l know everything"
''Oh. the deuce you do! Then / may as
we'll tell you I'm confounded glad to hear
1t, l told Nancy IL couldn't be concealed
much longer without a grand blowout"
Marstcn stopped his further progress by
planting himself squarely in front of him
His eyes were ablaze. Jack looked at him
in amaZement
Hello! What's up"
This is up said Marston in a ehoked
voice. You are an insufferable young
cad, Jack. and as the oldest male repre-
sentative of the family I've q great no.
ton TO thrash you where you stand"
We'll, you just try 1t onr' said Jack,
waxing wroth In his turn. What are
you rowing about anyhow"
Didn't / hear you tell your sisters $
waitress that you loved her?'' said Mars
ton. savagely.
Yes"
Didn't hear you tell her that conceal
ment was preying on herr
IF you were standing near enough. you
did"
Didn't I see you kiss herr
you know better than l do whether
you did. / have kissed her lots Of times
And vou"--Teddys throat swellec with
passion-"you call yourself a gentleman
"Oh, by George. ] seei I wonder how
many sorts of an ass you would make of
yourself if / let you go on. Look here
It's time you were learning the truth.
told Nan this farce was verging on to
tragedy. and nothing but special ProvI-
dence kept you from throttling me before
you heard the truth about our Nam
The TRUTH
Yes: suppose We sit down here on this
log and have 1t out"
They sat down on the log and had II
out, Marston's fine face now glowing with
tenderest shame for the poor little make
shifts his coming had entailed. now shin
ing with the light of the great happiness
jack revelation made possible.
What an ignorant brute I've been.
jack he said. laying his hand caressins-
ly on the boys.
JACK gave him absOlution patroniZingly.
Il don't suppose you made bigger ass
OF yourself than l would have done under
the same circumstances. II all comes
from our girls being so Internally proud"
They are three angels" said Teddy, en-.
Enthusiastically, land Nancy Is the most
angelic Of the three"
Jack executed prolonged and inconse-
quent whistle. then shouldersd his heavy
game bag. and proposed IAN adjourn
ment."
Nanny was dressing the lettuce for din
ner when Jack and Marston reached the
mouse. Jack steered straight for the but
lers pantry, where she stood demure and
bewitching, in her cap and apron.
THE cats out OF the bag, Nan. and I'm
glad of it. You and Teddy fix it,
One Wild glance al Jacks laughing face
made her long for flight, but Teddy was
standing in the doorway ready to intercept
her.
"Oh, my little cousin, how could YOU
treat me so badly?" he said, holding out
beseeching hands
Badly! Why, / thought-why, we"
Nanny-Nanny. my heart was wiser
than my head. I've loved you, little one.
for two whole weeks now-so dearly, so
very dearly"
in spite Of"
Your deeeit-cap and apronr'
Not being able to recall his letter "a
Holbrook, Marston sent a cablegram after
il:
Prophecy fulfilled. Will be married N
Miss Nancy Henderson as soon as home is
ready. Try TO come over at once"
And HolbroOk came