Smyrna times., 1905-09-20


patient little bang. 81 don't see why
you are forever talking about him."
she exclaimed resentfully.
Aunt Clara, the long suffering, look |
ed appealingly at her pretty niece. |
But, Martha, Mrs. Barry MAKES such |
a point Of your meeting him." she pro-
tested plaintively.
"And make point of not meeting
him." interpolated her rebellious niece.
"But, Martha, he is''-
'Oh, know them ALL" interrupted
Martha - unmarried, we'll born, good
looking, rich, famous" she repeated
glibly, checking off the words on the
tips of her pretty fingers.
He Is all that and more" replied
Aunt Clara warmly, land why you
should assume this unreasonable atti-
tude is more than l can understand"
Her niece eyed her resentfully. Il
don't see why should be expected to
put myself forward for this paragon's
approval" she objected.
Aunt Clara's voice trembled with
righteous indignation. Martha Jor-
dan, you talk like an idiot" she said
''Then why do you always throw me
at him? 2" demanded Martha.
mo one is trying to throw you at
him." continued her aunt with uneX-
pected energy. "He probably wouldn't
take you If they did"
Indeed he wouldn't" murmured her
niece feelingly.
MRS. Barry has asked us to dine
i &,II, %, I,o,-
l have had to make excuses for you
twice before, Martha. You will go this
time?" she pleaded anXiously.
Not l." responded Martha. Il shall
not infict my unworthy presence upon
the Hon. John Clark Chamberlin.''
81 cannot understand this violent an
tagonism you seem to have developed"
demonstrated Aunt Clara, relapsing in
to her usual state Of plaintive protest.
And what reason can l give?"
"Say 1 am out of town. will go
on up to Stockbridge. 1t will be only
two days earlier than we were going
anyhow"
"You would be alone" expostulated
Aunt Clara.
"Only for two days, and Mrs. Reid is
there-you don't mind, dear?" coax
ingly.
But
That's a darling" Two warm arms
were around Aunt Clara's neck and @
soft cheek pressed hers lovingly. And
now l will make you cup of nice hot
tea and see if Mary has baked any OF
the cakes you like, and perhaps there
III e.. e
down to Smiths before dinner and ge
that lace you wanted"
90 Poor Aunt Clara subsidized helplessly
It was two days later that a youn,
man, tall, broad shouldered, suit case il
hand, rushed up the steps of the sub
way at the Grand Central station
dashed through the waiting room
pushed past the guard at the gate, ra
toward the Pittsield express an
leaped on to the steps Of the last ca
as the train was pulling out of tb
station.
"Reg'lar home run, mister" con
mented the brakeman, who had watcl
ed his flying approach with admirin
interest
The young man laughed as he swun
himself up the steps and into IL
crowded car. There must be a run @
Berkshires," he reflected as he wake
slowly along the aisle. Every Sc;
was filled. The next car was no be
ter, but in the third his eyes lightC
on a vacant place.
May l sit here?" he asked perfun
torily, glancing casually at the 9th
mi
growing interest as he realized tn
his prospective neighbor was a decide
" pretty girl. But he was allow
only the briefest glimpse of pair
gray eyes as their owner vouchsaf
him a formal nod, and he sank than
fully into the seat beside her.
glanced 'furtively at her as the ira
left the tunnel The survey was n
encouraging. Evidently the gray ey'
the dimpled chin, the fair face turn
so steadfastly toward the windo
were not for him.
! On and on sped the train. Mama
neck, Rye, Stamford glided swiftly
He pulled out his paper and forgot
proximity of the gray eyes until, loo
ing up suddenly, he surprised tn
looking into his own. She flushed a
turned abruptly to the window, and
bowed gravely and returned to
paper, but the article had lost its
terest He found himself rebelling
the convention that prescribed
speaking to her and then wondered
his rebellion He had never bef
shown any symptoms of undue susC
ffhilffv ha rpdacfpd drvlv smiling
the memory of his aunts frantic
forts at matchmaking on his behal
One hour-two hours-three hO
passed. On they went through
lagos nesting in shallow valleys, /
fields white with daisies and
through long, wooded slopes, as
train wound in and out among
hills If something only would