Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-12-17
MARY r. X. HUTCHINSON
Copmighi, 1905, bg 2. Q. Mcclure


| to the Commercial club musicale. He's
doing poor work, and the managing
editor called him down today before
the whole gang. If he's discharged
| he'll spoil his chances for position on
that New York paper. You've had an
/ attack of the indigoes yourself and re-
fuse to see him when he calls. Nat
uraIly | want to know what's the mat
ter. for don't mind telling you I'd
rather have Jack Hale for brother
| than any man know"
Why don't you adopt him, thenY
asked Penelope unconcernedly.
We'll, Wen try cross examination. :"
remarked he sPen, do you hate Jack
Hale?'
No., decidedly
DO you really dislike him?''
Moo more slowly.
Didn't you really and truly care a
great deal for him up to the date of
that musicalc?'
Il won't answer any more of your
questions, snapped Penelope as she
started to leave the room.
Highly tightly! Not so fast" said
he Remember, Pen, I'm not only
your brother but your guardian, and,
while | take the place of parents and
brother, too. i must use my own way
of striving for your happiness. can't
II let my dearest chum and my little
housekeeper both eat their hearts out
without trying to remedy the matter
Now, little girl. let's have the whole
story"
And you won't tell word?' came
the smothered question from his Shout
der
Never word.
well, then, if you must know the
whole story, nothing happened at that
musicale. But the next day Aunt Ma
ria came TO spend the day.
And a day ia her company is as a
thousand" supplemented Bradford.
And she said she felt it her duty to
her dead brothers child to tell me how
people were talking about me behind
my back She said had encouraged
Jack long enough and that If he hadn't
proposed by this time he never would
He would pay me attention till he got
that position in New York. and then
he'd find another girl there and forget
me. | told her he was nothing but one
of your friends; that never intended
to marry. but should always keep
house for you
Then you proceeded to shut Jack
r..
Aunt Maria's level of marrying in
haste Jack Hale is the soul of honor.
If he hasn't asked you to marry him
it's because he wants to wait till he
has a better salary than he gets on the
Times. I'll see if / can show him the
error of his ways"
Clarence cried Penelope, pushing
him from her you promised you'd
never mention a word!'
$50 die" groaned he. We'll. Pen.
I'll keep my word, but | want you to
forget Aunt Maria and her views. I'm
going to ask Jack to dinner tomorrow
night, and / want you to wear your
prettiest gown, smile your sweetest
and take him back into favor again.
That won't be hard thing to do for
my sake, will. it. dearg in his most
wheedling tone.
You old tormentr' cried Penelope as
she gave him parting hug Reach
ing the door, she called back. q might
possibly do it for his sake" after which
piece of daring she hurried out to see
why dinner wasn't announced
II surmised. as much. Bradford told
himself and, though I'd scorn to
break promise, Jack Hale will get a
pretty broad hint of what ! consider
his duty
Hale pleaded an evening assignment
the next afternoon, but Bradford
wouldn't take No. for an answer q
know well enough what that assign
ment is. he responded, "and you can
get the story just as well in the morn
ing. You're looking tagged out, Hale.
and need rest Break away from
your work early this afternoon and go
up and take Penelope for drive Tie
horse has been stabbed for more than
week because Pen has had bad
cold. I'll be home in time for dinner,
but shall put the whole evening in at
the board of aldermen's meeting, so
I'm glad you can amuse the child. She's
in need Of amusement after being
cooped up for a whole week.
"Why didn't you tell me- began
Hale. But Bradford was gone. Though
be could lie beautifully. he could not
efar mi ssrnee bSsas7a In a4icf