The Somerset reporter., 1904-09-29

the right time" was the low re-
Iponse.
Holding both her hands IN one VI his
Dwn, he slipped to her side and tipped
her head back against his shoulder
His eyes sought Iers IN tue gloom Of
the carriage, glorying III the rcvela
tions brought by tie passing lights.
The right tine Of al the world
g!rl, Of all the years thdt have been
for you and for ue-the right time for
tie seal Of the promise for those that
are to cDue for us," he said with
quiet intensity, his lips closing Oh her
uuresistIng ones.
After moment she Strengthened
herself with happy little laugh.
IL think We must be nearly there.
Yes. Wretehedly short drive Oh,
grille, grille. nm 30 proud Of you, 80
glad. What will they think Of us TO
be sure wasn't having bit OF
good time, and now I'm ever 50 grute-
fu that Bob insisted on making Me
best man."
why, but, dear" 1t was veri-
table gurgle of astonishment You re
not dreaming of telling now? 1t
would never, never do. We've not
even been introduced I'm to be here
several weeks, you know, aud 1t must
come TO pass very gradually"
Il suppose 80, bless your proper lit
tie heart. But kn't It wee bit more
unconventional TO have 1t happen thus
than that 1t should merely be known
Off Anyway promise TO be the most
persistently loyelorn of any swain who
ever aspired to fair ladys hand All.
here we are"
Fortunately the avenue was well
shaded just before the blaze OF light
at the steps was reached.
Dickie greeted thep-bow be had
managed to pass them a certain team
might have borne brea thless testimony
in an agony OF eontrition, his very
first blunder. He supposed, OF course
they'd met Clnrissa had come alone
Madeleine had been Investigating md
wrenched from him the whole sad tale
Ciarissa wouldn't say 3 word. They
ly introduced.
During the ensuing hours of the re
ception Harrington. ingenious TO the
point OF bluntness. found use for all his
skill as q dissembler The auburn head
was an Irresistible magnet, and his
telltale eyes followed where his feet
were forbidden to tread. Again and
again he dragged himself back to the
datfodll maid and his proper duty, to
find her always myStertously smiling
at him out of a quizzical face. 1t was
hard that the first madly happy hours
OF ones life should be made to speed
so slowly but at last the bride and
groom We're or In a shower Of rice,
kisses and merry cries.
Then Quoth the maid of the daffodils
to Dickie "Do look Mt Joe and Ethel"
There they stood on the top step, hand
in hand. placidly and absently waving
after the disappearing carriage with
their disengnRed hands, The other two
members were clasped.
II was three interminnble months be
fore Harrington was permitted 10 an
nounce farewell dinner 10 his bach
elor friends When he reached the
club on the memorable night a letter
awaited him bearing the familiar for
eign postmark OF Mr.. aud Mrs Blake's
honeymoonlnY nest. over the sigma
ture Of Madeleine Blake he read the
following:
BLESS you, my children. Nothing
could delight me more. especially when
it's my own particular little pie. Joe
the woman hnter. Joe the celibate.
Clurlssa WIS already engaged. you
know, 30 made willing martyr on the
nltAr OF my schemes. And my Ethel
had TO play instead Of standing by my
side, where she belonged. If she had
not-if you'd thought you belonged to
her by custom. Joe, Joe-my beautiful
grille, instead Of becoming the happy
Mrs. Harrington shortly, would have
shared the sad, sad fate of the daffodil
maid"
And thus" observed Harrington,
with charitable grin, do some peo-
pie tlntter themselves"