Smyrna times., 1906-09-19

able you are in that blue gown" Heth-
frton said, trying to possess himself OF
Philomena's hand.
She drew it away, pursed her lips
daintily, and flung back at him, cob!
It's the gown, is it? Thank you for
telling me. 1 shall be sure to wear it
the next time the MacCarty comes to
see U.S."
"Confound the MacCartyr' Hether-
ton calculated. I'D like to break his
head for him, the presumptuous oaf.
What business has he even to admire
you?"
"Mayn't a cat look at a king?" Philo-
mena interrupted demurely, her eyes
dancing in the screen of their long
lashes.
She had the charm of infinite va
riety. Some days she was positively
ugly, others ravishingly beautiful.
This was one of the beautiful DAYS.
She knew it, and acted upon the
knowledge. She owed Hetherton for
several things, chiefly Miss Mannering.
He should be paid in full. He had
never proposed to her outright, but all
along assumed gayly that she would
marry him, speaking openly, in a light
comedy manner that might mean
everything or nothing She had not
resented the light comedy manner, be-
ing by ne means sure of her own mind.
Still it had been distinctly aggravat-
ing to have him run off after the Man
nerinx girl the same as the other men.
For two Whole days he had kept in the
new beauty's train; worse still, he had
come back to Philomena not merely re-
| pentant but with the air of one who
feels that he has discharged the duty
of proper man.
"A cat may look at king; the prov
erb Is silent as to queens" Tetherton
retorted. Moreover, you can scarcely
stretch it to fit an elephant, which is
the MscCarty's animal prototype"
Now know how l came to promise
him two dances-I adore elephants-al-
ways did" Philomena murmured, re-
flectively. as if aside.
|
drew her to her feet do you mean to
keep the prOmise?' he asked, his face
darkening. She smiled up at him au-
daciously as she answered:
"Who knows? He may prefer to sit
them out. But if he should, you needn't
mind, we will take care to keep out OF
earshOt Of you and Miss Mannering"-
"Ohl l see" Hetherton laughed, not
quite easily, but with a magical light
eninS OF countensnce. II must say
that will be handsome of you," he
went on; then, his hands slipping VI
to her shoulders, Sweetheart, let's ruI
away from everything grand ball
the elephant, the Mannering-run ava,
and get married Listen! 1t will b'
so easy; only a spin across country t,
that dear little stone church we saw
last week-we'll take along witnesses
and telegraph for our traps to follow
us. IF 'twere done, when 'twere don
then 'twere we'll 'twere done quickly
: Think how much we shall escape, al
the fuss and frills and upsetments of
I biz wedding. And this is the only wa.
to escape them. l know your aunt ha
her heart set on ST. Thomas, wit
twelve bridesmaids, and all the res
of It, Say yes, there's darling. wi
live just to keep you from being sorr
: for it, even one time"
8 at sounds enticing," Philomena sait
: then with a reflective sigh: "But
can't be done. You see if l ran ot
l. with you. the Mannering would nevi
- ably get the MacCarty and his millions
y That's what she Is here for and that
ls what I'm bound not to let her do"
'Have your joke" Hetherton srus
- bled, trying to draw her to his breast.
$, She put him away with gent
{. dignity, saying: But it is not jok
.e That's why l am so provoked wit
you; you let yourself be one OF her oa
gudxeons. Oh, she's a shrewd piece
She knows a man like the MacCartf
means to pick wife as he has picke
n racing stable, from among tho'
other men want very much"
- "How do you know" Hetherton d
manded.
Philomena opened her eyes vel
wide. "Why, he told me So" she sal
"You know we are great friends al
talk OF many things. And he is real
vastly eptertaining-suc big bulk
"a raw human nature, with streaks
re- wit and other streaks Of understap
on ing through it's honest ignorance.
sp- HIN! You are somewhat pei
n.d GsI How many times has he proposed
your Hetherton asked.
me "Only once the first day" fmlolne
n4 said. smiling wickedly. Il asked III
at at for consideration, but he wouldn't 81
ere II. He wanted a straight yes OF
:. but consoled me by telling me tnat
after awhile he was not engaged
would give me another chance. sc
j. must be sure and make up my MIND.
E.. know he is not engaged, not uni'
~ Miss Mannering has landed him sii
morning"
T. ''Is your mind made upT Hetner'
asked teasingly.
the the Philomena shook her head, put 8
| there