The Somerset reporter., 1906-11-15

over our sweethearts-even now and
then our wives
Dear me. And you are not weirdly
wicked-just an ordinary sinner" my
lady interrupted, her eyes twlnkling
merrily.
Grierson laughed. "Cry quarter" he
said. you won't get me to admit I'm
no match for you-that would be q
bad precedent-but I will say l know
when I've had enough. Now, to get
back to the beginning what about TAX
ing me on as amanuensis? Pm sure
gave myself a character, having nobody
else to give it."
"Aman-u-ensIs! That's a city word
I'm afraid of it," my lady said, dim
ping sweetly.
Grierson shook his head at her, say
Ing severely: cat this rate The Com
plete Loyemaker' will never get itself
written Think how the world needs
it! We ought to begin work on it to-
morrow"
Grierson forgot the carrying quality
of his voice, even when, as now, he
spoke very low. He further overlook
ed slim creature in half mourning
seated just beyond my lady.
Now the figure turned half about,
saying, with pretty malice: you could
not have a better collaboration, Miss
Clare Arthur can give an example
of a nice definition of every style of
love making yet invented" Then,
throwing up Grape bordered veil:
you didn't expect to see me, Arthur.
| know that very we'll. Indeed my
self am surprised at being here, but
Phil Darcy wrote me had better come
down and look after some invest
ments."
There was a pause before the last
word so significant 1t made my lady
gasp, She turned red and white, star
Ing helplessy from Grierson to the
woman and only by Il strong compul-
sion overcoming her impulse to run
away.
1t was n great relief to see Philip
Darcy approaching-she almost ran to
meet him, "A question in her eyes. He
answered. it with reassuring glance
and turned to the pair who stood ey
ing each other uncertainty and in 81
lence. saying as he stood in front of
them:
Il think, ClOrinda, 1t will be best on
all accounts for you to announce your
engagement to Grierson. Your scru-
pies against it before you are out of
mourning, of course, do you credit,
but people down here are used to see
ing widows cOurted, married almost in
their weeds. And nobody really knows
how long your husband has been dea
whether it is year or five makes II
difference. | have just been telling
Uncle Jack how the case stands
"Does he agree with your Grierson
asked, his face aYerted.
Philip laughed. Uncle Jack, like all
the rest of us, is amenable to the logic
of accomplished facts" he said but
l don't think you'll find him very hard
to fetch around. l told him also that
Elinor WAS going to marry me early in
the fall"
Mrs, Clorinda Markle relict of the
late Solomon, was not without a sense
of humor. She held out her hand to
my lady, saying with frank smile:
I'VE may hatter ourselves that The
Complete Lovemaker' Is in two edi-
tons, each limited to a single copy. I
shall keep mine henceforth under lock
and key. How about yOursY
Il don't think mine will permit Itself
10 be stolen" my lady said, taking the
offered hand. II have been engaged
since | was flve-if in fifteen years
Philip has not repented of his bargain
1t seems he is to be trusted to know his
own mind"
Clorinda tried to speak. to say some
thing lightly fippant, but her lips trem-
bled and a troublesome lump rose in
her throat she took Grierson's nerve
less arm and walked away, her head
high, but her eyes dim behind her veil
Darcy looked after the pair compass
sionately, saying, "She Is too good for
him"
but she doesn't think SO. Let us
hope she never WILL" my lady answer
ed eagerly.
Darcy looked down at her, smiling
happily.