The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-01-12
b. E-ES w. SARGENT

calling her Grace.
This ready acceptance of the situa-
ton and the proffcred kiss were rather
Il surprise, bat he decided that western
girls, with their freedom from con-
yention, Were the right sort after all.
The pleasant ceremony performed, 1t
was but the matter of a moment to
get her trunk from the baggage room
and rope It behind the seat of the
blackboard. She was standing regard
ing the spirited pair with an apprecia-
tive eye.
what splendid horsesr' she cried
when he had helped her to a seat and
the well matched team struck into their
gait.
BEST in this county" declared Ath-
erton proudly. They'll get you home
in no time"
II had Il horse once" she confided,
that could get us there in three min
utes."
Twenty miles in three minutes is
pretty fast speeding" he demurred.
Twenty miles. Your sister wrote
the house was only a mile from the
station"
That's her idea of joke" he ex-
planned. "She wrote Bishop Tolliver
once that we were only u mile and
half from tie station, and the poor old
man walked eight miles before he gave
it up
I'm sure" she said, Il do not mind
twenty mile drive behind such horses
audi
In such company" he said boldly,
llling in the bashful pause
and company" she assented, slip
ping her arm confidingly through his.
do you know, l am so glad l was
asked to come? 1 never had a brother,
you see, and I've always wanted one."
Il am model BROTHER" he assured
her. Il can refer you to my sister or
to dozen girls who have promised to
be sisters to me-"
Such foolish girls to be content with
a brother!" she said, and Atherton's
subjugation was made complete.
1t was q glorious drive through the
cool, fresh air of the forest road. Aft
er they left the station they almost i'm
nediately entered the virgin forest. and
Arthur was sorry when the familiar
landmarks began to appear.
He thought regretfully Of the active
fashion in which he had detained
against the addition of Grace Bedding
to their camp party and sorrowed over
the fact that he had put an emphatic
veto upon her being invited to camp
for the maple sugar season. He Won
dercd if Mabel had told Grace and
whether she was seeking now to dis
arm his aversion.
But there was something genuine
Gbout the girls desire for his friend
ship and he Immediately put from him
the suggestion. BY the time they turned
from the road into the drive on their
camp property friendship had been ce-
mented.
With a flourish he pulled up at the
door, and Mabel came running down
the steps. To his surprise neither gave
any evidence Of recognition.
Didn't Grace come" asked his sis
ter anxiously.
This Is Grace" he explained, won
dering uneasily what the matter could
be-
as this Amy?" asked Grace, looking
uncertainty from brother to sister:
"E mn Mabel Atherton."
Il suppose you are visiting here"
suggested Grace. Can you tell me
where Amy can be?'
do you mean Amy Maynard" de-
manded Mabel.
"Of course" was the surprised an
swer.
Mabel sat down upon the steps, shaE
ing with laughter. "Artie Atherton,"
she cried at last when her laughs ceas-
cd, do you know what you have
done|
Delivered Miss Grace Bedding to
you in accordance with my contract"
he declared, with no ring of conviction
IN his Voice.
You have abducted Miss Grace May
hard, that's what you have done. Amy
was telling me the other day that they
were expecting Il cousin to come and
live with them"
Then this is not Arthur Maynard"
asked Grace, blushing at the thought
Vi ueT ulSDIdS VI dueCllOu.
"A very penitent Arthur Atherton,"
he admitted. 1T is all Mabel's fault.
If she had come to the station herself
she could have saved you all this trou-
bic and embarrassment"
IF you had verified your suspicious.
as you should have DONE" defended
Mabel
s.TI,,t,S CO - no admitted 1,-opdarinp
ly Il merely asked her If she was
Grace because she was the only one
who left the train from the parlor
cars"
When you said you were Arthur"
put in Grace, Il, of course supposed
that it was all right
iii drive you back right after sup
per-" he promised.
mo, you won't" declared Mabel de-
cidedly. Pm glad you did bring her
here. The Maynards went over to Spring
gone three days. l saw them when
they drove past They thought their
cousin would not arrive for week"
Il telegraphed them," explained
Grace.
'',They arc outside of the delivery linn
it, and there are all sorts of delays.
You will stay right here until they
come back" declared Mabel hospita-
by, remembering that 1t was the death
of her parents which brought this girl
to the Maynards' protection.
That's Il good girl" said Anterior
approvingly as lie gave his sister hug.
IN so and put up the horses and come
back with the groom to take the trunk
up"
lie was glad to escape for a moment
and to accommodate his mind to the
now conditions That he did SO was
evident that evening as they sat upon
the steps of the cottage enjoying the
moonlight over the placid waters of the
lake.
Remember" he warned as the girl
rose to go in with Grace, you have
promised to be sister to me-"
~ promise made through error" she
a snaG Cakes "a raence," he s,stoo
be4sssssss,,s youe. and I 81 lin :, IN.
Nh s.What terriyour pact Oh
4: Surncd back; ,falls me% sh,
~ y" he said I'd at the sta
z sssely.
554s1sSk IN blackmailer