The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-07-17

MARRY ME-"
land said, laying his hand upon the
shoulder farthest and whirling her half
about.
Avis flung up her head, saying: 1--WE
will not quarrel over an idle jest.
Spend these last minutes instead in
telling me-
"WhatT Hartland asked as she
paused tentatively.
For a breath she was silent, then
said very slowly: Telling me you I'M
derstand me; that you know I like us
to be what we are-just good fell
lows
"But l know nothing of the sort"
Hartland said, smiling whimsically.
"Contrariwise, I'm strongly of opinion
that you would have been sadly disap-
pointed if 1 had not made love to you
this once if no more"
what makes you believe SOP" Avis
said, pretending to frown, though there
were ghosts of dimples about her lips.
Hartland bent to look into her eyes.
"The fact that you are yourself" he
said
$50 you think I've been acting" Avis
said, with pout
Acting one part of yourself" Hart
land answered, turning her hand palm
upward within his own and tracing its
lines with caressing finger tips.
Indeed! Tell me-ought | to look
shocked? Is that the way the others
do when you break out this wayr
Avis asked, merry malice in her eyes.
Hartland laughed indulgently. II
am not quite certain on that point" he
said, ''but this l do know-you must
make up your mind to marry me just
as soon as / am ready"
MAY / ask when that will BET" Avis
asked demurely, pulling away her hand
and dropping her lashes.
"As soon as 1 have made terms with
the other woman" he said. Luck
lily that is mainly question of money.
can afford to buy my freedom"
"Did you-did you ever think you
loved her?' Avis asked.
Hartland laughed grimly. II was
sure of it until saw you" he an
swered Avis eyes grew wistful
Might you not love her again If you
went back to herr" she asked Hart
land nodded. perhaps = that is, If
there was no chance of you"
what is she likeT Avis demanded
eagerly.
Hartland looked at her with a yelled
twinkle. "She is everything that you
are not think that describes her
best" he said. You see, this Is an af.
fair of years. 1t goes back almost to
my college days.
81 think you had better keep on with
her." Avis said, drawing little away.
Hartland laughed. TT is too late" he
said. "She knows all about you. /
made up my mind that she must know
last week"
"You might-might tell her you had
been joking tarrydiddles to
test her temper. Did she show herself
cat" Avis asked eagerly. but Of
course you can't answer that. l dare
say she referred you to her lawyer"
Nothing of the sort" Hartland said
"She is too well bred for such a sug-
| SeSIlOu- BTduQS QdLuc " ncT niger
tips-the sort that always makes you
think of ancestors and old silver and
point lace and velvet gowns She's
worth lot of money, but has no spe-
cial income, I'm going away to sec
that she is properly placed in life"
Suppose she should find some one
else" Avis began.
Hartland smiled systematically. ''She
has found some one else" he said,
but there's a matter of money in the
way. No; don't ask another question.
l shall be back within week. Do you
think that is too long timer
II could send Off dozen men in just
one day." Avis said, half turning from
him. but 1t may turn out you will
not leave her at all Anyhow / shall
be very nice to poor Vallery- until we
see what we shallbee."