Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-08-18

VI Sui pilst at AHt NutSs-OHs lHdt II
Lord ST. Alleyne."
never saw terror SIT more palpabl,
| upon a face; then, without wore
said, the terror changed TO beseech
ing. really felt sorry for Mrs. Viyiar
at that moment, but thought Of Jacl
and hardened my htari.
ALLOW me TO present you to him."
said. Before she had time to reply
had advanced half dozen steps to
meet him.
81 want to introduce you to Mrs
Vivian" | said. You know all about
my love affair"
(which one?' he asked.
''rhe one" | said. He thought care
fully for minute.
DO you mean Jack2" he asked.
"Of course do"
"Well?"
Mrs. Vivian is Jacks mother"
glanced across the lawn and saw
Jack herself, alone, shining white
against some dark laurels. Ny mind
was instantly made up.
"Well?' he said, again.
II want you TO talk to her for ten
minutes And, like a dear old chip.
say,all the nice things you can about
me, will your?
You want me TO bamboozle her, do
your"
Il want to marry Jack" said.
"All my friends are marrying" 81.
Alleyne murmuredi they'll soon be
all gone. I'm always doing them good
turns, and they never do anything
for me-"
III do anything you like for you II
youIl only manage this" | said As
turned he caught me by the arm.
Look here" he said, what am to
talk about-rising artist, increasing
popularity and all that kind of
thing2"
81 leave IL to you. But for heavens
sake don't give me away" He smiled
tenderly.
AS II ] could, he said.
! saw that Mrs. Viyian's face famed
as presented him. | had never seen
her blush before; but at the same time
there was a kind of feeble triumph in
her expression that made me sick. ST.
Alleyne dropped languidly at her side
ana sped across the lawn. Mrs. Viv. |
ian was at liberty to look as much as |
she likedi could trust my friend to |
hold her.
Jack saw me coming and turned
away towards the rose garden; |
blessed both her and her acuteness. as
followed. She paused when we
seemed fairly alone.
Where have you been all the after
noon%
Talking TO Mrs. Vivian"
"Ohl" she said, was IL interesting?
Very. And you?"
I've been waiting for you"
We'll, I'm here now. Jackl"
Yes" she said.
You want to marry me, don't you,
Jack?"
You silly boy" she said. took her
iand and held 1t SO that no one could
zee.
you know you do, said; you told
ne so once"
did ~" she asked, closing her fin
gers tightly over mine.
Yes; and I'm going to marry YOU"
You dear boyl" she said but how
an you2 Mamma will never consent"
thought detected hint Of tears in
Ter eyes.
But II gain her consent and this
cry afternoon?"
She looked at me with all her youth
N fire. leaned towards her sudden
and she kissed me; the thing was in
vitable. II the world had been look. 1
ng on | believe she would have kissed
le then.
"My dearest Phil" she said, "IIl mar.
y you whenever you like" She
topped above rose bush and pluckcd
blossom; bent over her shoulder. q
nd my lips brushed her ear and cheek !
I
Phil, Phil" she cried followed !
er glance, and there wa. Mrs. Vivian 7
iiling towards us, leaning heavily on
t. Alleyne's arml '
! felt convinced, by the Indifference {
St. Alleyne's manner, that he had 4
cen doing his duty TO me. lie left Mrs. d
iyian with me, saying; "l'll see you Il
ter, old chap" and he added, in II
hisper: Strike now" -
l did strike, and | won that after
Don. The feeble objections that Mrs
IVAN offered were easily overcome; =
tackled them all triumphantly and l.
aimed her consent; ii was not given II
either, and although Jack Il
'uld not understand it, could G
walked home with st. Alleyue after Ia
ards. II had an awful quarter.of-an- :
,ur with that woman" he said; "you -.
ally should have more consideration (
II man"
I'm your eternal debtor" l said. !
What did you talk about?" :
"Nou," he said. )
Did that tire youp" \
Horribly" he murmured.
What do you think OF Mrs. Vivian9" ]
Asked lie waved his arm despairlng- Z
q "Dont.' he said. 81 wouldn't mar
INTO ihat family to have all my debts
Nd; not that they worry me much"
added, thoughtfully.
AN you beggOrS are getting mar.
3D. he said. "What the deuce ami
ling to do2"
Marry Mrs. Vivian" said: shes
widow, you know, and would jump at
~ He paused on the steps of his
lh TO think about A.
1T would he rather fun, wouldn'tit?
| were younger wouldn't mind. but y
n almost 30, you see No, Phu. il
mt do. It's bcastly thing TO be
owing Old He sighed mourufuny.
suppose You don't want any dinner?
" thought not There's one thing
L in life, anyhow can always Z
le. ."-idler. e