The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-12-25

his duty"
Hale pleaded an evening assignment
the next afternoon but Bradford
, wouldn't take mo" for an answer. 81
know well enough what that assign
mcnt is" he responded, "and you can
get the story just rs well in the morn
Ing. You're looking tagged out, Hale,
and need Il rest Break away from
your work carly this afternoon and go
up and take Penelope for a drive The
horse has been stabbed for more than
Il week because Pen has had n bad
cold. I'll be home in time-for dinner,
but shall put the, whole evening in at
tho board of aldermen's meeting. so
I'm glad you can amusc the child. She's
in need of amusement after being
coopcd up for whole week"
why didn't you tell mo- began
Hale. But Bradford was gone. Though
lie could lie beautifully, he could not
stand cross examination.
AS Jack and Penelope returned from
their drive, both in the best Of spirits
after their spin through the frosty air,
bradford preceded them up the steps.
While all three removed their wraps in
the hall he pulled notebook from
his pocket and tossed it across to Hale.
rcmarElng, Say, old man, I found
your notebook after you left the of.
fee"
Much obliged" answered Hale Ms
he attempted to catch the book. which
missed his hand and fell Mt Pcnclope's
feet. Picking it up quickly, she ex-
claimed: "Now, l wonder what the
very latest sensation is? do so like
to keep up with the times" And she
proceeded to nuttcr the leaves OF the
book past the cancelled items toward
the last written pages.
Penelope, that's pun, and if /
wasn't in Il hurry to dress Ia sec that
you were properly punished for it,"
called her brother, disappearing up
stairs with suspicious haste.
Jack looked over pcnelope's shoul-
der rs he answered, Don't believe
there's thing that hasn't been print
cd. T.
ooh, yes, there is" said Penelope.
y
f2auscd to read, while Hale exclaimed:
"ISlat isn't my writing! Oh, Lord!" in
q trasnic groan.
For thSs is the item both read:
"EnSagCNWent announced this week
Miss Penelope Bradford, dau. of late
Hon. IIarrisd II B-latc pres. Nat. Bank,
this city. Mr.W John Winthrop Hale
rising young jlpur.-pop. member Com
mcrcial Club-glfad. of Harv.-ctr rush
on GrionSS football ",n team" -eo"sr"t of hosts of
"Wh-what docai it mcan?" gasped
turns.
"Mcan:' calculated Hale in dcspcra-
ton. ut means tlAat one of those con-
founded idiots at tthe Office has been
trying to get fEHny. 1t means-oh.
Penelope, darlir&," with a complete
change of tonc,A A'& can't you make it
mean something? Doiit run away.
dear as he cSught both her hands.
"Lct me finish 2now Pvc st?rtcd. I've
loved you so lor5s; that YOU must surely
nave guessed Vlat much, and I've only
waited to haYe something worth ol-"r-
ing before asking you to become my
wife. a nITTf ought not to tic girl
down to Any such bread and butter ex-
istcnce rs I can offer while I'm OH the
Times. l wouldn't have spoken if this
hadn't happened till l had more. But
I'll promise TO wait patiently, dearest,
If you'll only make this item true"
The item appeared on the society
page of the SanbrOok Times the follow
Ing Saturday, and Bradford chuckled
as he read it:
"Now, that's what call made to
order item"
Hale, being blessed with his share OF
newspaper instinct never tried TO find
ont which of the "confoundcd idiots at
the office" dared to tampcr with his