Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-03-26
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MARY f. K. HUTCHINSON

Now, Penelope, DcSan neT DEotHel
Clarence, who caught her in the act,
81 want to know what this means
"What what means?" asked Pencil
ope flushing and striving to gain
time.
what what means" grunted he in
scorn. "Pen, will you never learn it's
useless to hedge with newspaper
man? l want to know why you are
treating Hale in this fashion. He's
been in the dumps since he took you
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
urally | 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 l know"
.'Why don't you adopt him. then"
asked Penelope uncOncerncdly.
"Well, we'll try cross examination"
remarked he. pen, do you hate Jack
Hale?
NO" decidedly
"Do you really dislike him"
"No-o," more slowly.
Didn't you really and truly care a
great deal for him up to the date Of
that musicale?'
Il won't answer any more of your
questions" snapped Penelope as she
started to leave the room.
"Highty 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, must use my own way
Of striving for your happiness. can't
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 shoul-
der.
"Never a 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 In her company is as a
thousand" supplemented Bradford.
''And she said she felt 1t 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. l told her he was nothing but one
Of your friends; that l never intended
to marry, but should always keep
house for you"
"Then you proceeded to shut Jack
out because he hadn't lived down to
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 better salary than he gets on the
Times. I'll see If l can show him the
error Of his ways"
Clarence" cried Penelope. pushing
him from her, you promised you'd
never mention word!'
$50 | did," groaned he. "Well 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 l 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 1t, dear| in his most
wheedling tone.
"You old tormentv cried Penelope as
she gave him a parting hug. Reach
ing the door, she called back, Il might
possibly do it for his sake" after which
piece of daring she hurried out to see
why dinner wasn't announced.
81 surmised as much" Bradford told
himself, "and, though I'd scorn to
break a promise, Jack Hale will get
pretty broad hint of what I consider
his duty"
Hale pleaded an evening assignment
the next afternoon. but Bradford
wouldn't take "NO'' for an answer. 81
know well enough what that assign
ment is" he responded, land 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 80
up and take Penelope for n drive. The
horse has been stabbed for more than
n 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 whole week"
"Why didn't you tell me- began
Hale. But Bradford was gone. Though
he 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 Il notebook from
his pocket and tossed it across to Hale,
remarking, Say. old man, found
your notebook after you left the OF
fee"
"Nuch obliged" answered Hale as
he attempted to- catch the book. which
missed his hand and fell ut PenelOpe's