The Monmouth inquirer., 1906-09-06

II wonder if you dream how ador
able you are in that blue gown" Heth
erton said, trying to possess himself o
Philomena's hand.
She drew it away, pursed her lip
daintily, and flung back at him, ooh
/ It's the gown, is it? Thank you fol
telling me. / shall be sure to wear Il
the next time the MacCarty comes tt
see u.s.
"Confound the MacCartyr' Hether
ton calculated. sid like to break his
head for him, the presumptuous oaf
What business has he even to admire
your?
''Mayn't cat look at 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 light
comedy manner that might mean
everything or nothing. She had not
resented the light comedy manner, be-
ing by no means sure of her own mind.
Still it had been distinctly aggraTat-
ing to have him run off after the Man
nering 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 a proper man.
"a cat may look at a king; the prov
erb is silent as to queens" Hetherton
retorted. Moreover, you can scarcely
stretch it to fit an elephant, which is
the MacCarty's animal prototype"
Now I know how l came to promise
ways did," Philomena murmured, re-
fiectively, as if aside.
Hetherton caught both her hands and
drew her to her feet. do you mean to
keep the promise?v 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"-
'Oh, 1 see" Hetherton laughed, not
quite easily, but with magical light
ening Of countenance. ST must say
that will be handsome of you,' he
went on; then, his hands slipping up
to her shoulders, Sweetheart, let's run
away from everything the grand ball.
the elephant, the Mannering away
and get married. Listen. 1t will be
so easy; only spin across country to
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 done
then 'twere we'll 'twere done quickly
Think how much we shall escape, all
the fuss and frills and upsetments of a
big wedding. And this is the only way
to escape them. l know your aunt has
her heart set on st. Thomas, with
twelve bridesmaids, and all the rest
of it. Say yes, there's darling. will
live just to keep you from being sorry
for it, even one time"
ct sounds enticing," Philomena said,
then with reflective sigh: But it
can't be done. You see if l ran OF
with you, the Mannering would newt
ably get the MacCarty and his millions
That's what she is here for and that's
what I'm bound not to let her do"
Have your joke" Hetherton grum
bled, trying to draw her to his breast.
She put him away with gentle
dignity, saying: But it is not joke
That's why l am so provoked witt
you; you let yourself be one Of her bait
gudgeons. Oh, she's a shrewd piece
she knows a man like the MacCarthy
means to pick a wife as he has picked
a racing stable, from among thost
other men want very much.'
How do you know" Hetherton de
manded.
Philomena opened her eyes yer,
wide. why, he told me so,' she said
You know we are great friends am
talk of many things. And he is reall.
vastly entertnning-such big bulk 0
raw human nature, with streaks o
wit and other streaks of understand
ing through its honest Ignorance"
HIN. You are somewhat belle
How many times has he proposed t
your Hetherton asked.
Only once. the first day. Philomen
said, smiling wickedly. II asked tim
for consideration, but he wouldn't Civ
it, He wanted a straight yes or III
but consoIed me by telling me that
after awhile he was not engaged b
would give me another chance. So
must be sure and make up my mind.
know he is not engaged, not unles
Miss Mannering has landed him sine
morning.
is your mind made up?" Hetherto
asked teasingly
Philomena shook her head, but sal
brightly: Not yet Still. there's L
telling what may happen betwee
Jo,,oaS,