The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-07-16

"Well. then, if you insist, Belle, this
young man. whom you disturbed in his
favorite retreat is the celebrated Gre
ator of the smoking lamp scene. Kid,
this is the young lady whose photo
graph is tackled up over your cot. |
hope you are both satisfied. Come on,
Art-your turn"
Il think Miss Belle and l have met
before" said he, looking calmly down
into Bellies gray eyes. 1--WE sat out
three dances, didn't we? But of course
you have forgotten me-"
"Ye-e-es, | must have" faltered Belle
and then stopped abruptly. Under Sir
Arthur's steady gaze her eyelids droop-
ed until she found herself looking very
sheepishly at the floor, But she recovered
in an instant. mo. l haven't forgotten
How could | when you said so many
foolish things?"
Did 1? Possibly I did. But you didn't
say SO then. You didn't even call me
dummy"
you didn't act the part then
Your ingenious brother wasn't there
to suggest it.
OO bdu HuuH Detu, BTO"leu MAE
Belle. do you know what this nonsense
of yours will cost us?''
"Oh. never mind that" said Sir Arthur
hastily.
But Mac insisted. He exhibited the
check. explained its full significance and
dwet mournfuly on the lost dinners. the
number of them and their exceeding ex-
cellence.
I'm not bit sorry" declared Belle
when he had finished. ut was a stupid
agreement The concet of you men!
Why. you wouldn't be missed If you hid
away for two years!'
But 1t has been only two months.
Belle" protested Mac, land here you
come and
II don't care" This with a most fetch
ing pout, ending in an uncertain trem-
bling of the chin. I'm glad / did come
and-and-I wish I hadn't, so there! I'll
come every chance | get and-and I'll
never speak to one of you again." with
which amazing statement she started
for the door. Sir Arthur, however, was
there before she could reach 1t. Dinners
or no dinners, here were gray eyes with
tears in them.
1--WE humbly beg your pardon Don't
we, boys?' he demanded as Mac and the
Kid Joined him in barring her flight.
Most sincerely" said the Kid.
81 suppose we do" admitted Mac.
stay and have luncheon with us. Don't
we, boys?" said Sir Arthur.
I'VE do" came the response. this time
in chorus.
At this demonstration Bellies lips SEEM
cd undecided between a pout and smile
a most effective maneuver.
Surely" said she, this looks like true
pcnitence. Even If it isn't I'm awfully
hungry"
They Were making a most jolly lunch
con of it. There was the Kid, who swal-
lowed some very hot coffee without in the
least minding, and all because some one
smiled at him across the table. There
was Mac, forgetful of lost dinners and
occupied with the discovery that Belle
was developing into an unusually attrac-
tive girl, even If she was his youngest
sister: there was Sir Arthur, who fully
agreed with Mac; also there was Belle
herself, eating bacon and eggs and talk
ing to all three of her hosts at once
when the door opened and In walked the
check making encourager of the ResSute
Hermits.
"Ah. I scc." said he grimly. after ore
sweeping glance at the festivities.
might have known" And before any
hermit could find voice he had stalked
out through the door. Two of them
caught him half way down the first
flight and, after some argument. led him
back.
Perhaps 1t was because Belle was con-
science stricken at the thought of the
price the hermits must pay for her visit
at any rate, under the magic of her pout-
ing lips and gray eyes, there was worked
marvel. "Ill be around at 6 o'clock to
take you all out to dinner" whispered the
bachelor uncle in the Kids ear before
leaving. "Then well all go to the the
alter, If the young lady likes"
Good for you, uncle said the Kid,
and added dolefully, "but we'll tear up
that check. 1 suppose?"
'If you do, you young scamp" said the
uncle, with a backward glance at certain
gray eyes, "Tll never give you another
No. sir, never!"
SO they didn't.