Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02
AID

know of Hal Norris? Grandma Norris means
that Jam shall marry him"
Then there's a very pretty kettle of fish"
Cuthbert said Halls one of my best 'chums
therefore, | know he's daft-gone hook line and
sin ker on Kitty Gray"
II thought sol" Mrs Mockaby nodded to her
self in the height of her complacence; That's
why he's been acting up so since he came home
You never saw boy so changed-he is rude and
naughty and hateful as can be to poor Jam"
"How does she take it?" Cuthbert interrupted
like an angelo"
Mrs Mockaby answered with sigh, She's
million times too good for him--for any man, in
deed-but she knows how Grandma Norris heart
is set on the match, so puts up with Halls rude
ness. She'll keep on doing it-and sacrifice her
self to please that dear, grabbed old women
unless you interfere"
"Mel What have ] to do with it?' Cuthbert
broke in Mrs. Mockaby gave him whitening
glance saying, "Nothing-of course. Nothing in
the world l have not just been telling you what
was in my mind But now will say something
it's no threat. mind you, just a piece of news
am going to give Jam, in my last will and testa-
ment, half of all possess Maybe you hate her
so because you know she saved my life nursing
me through that fever last fall-and so keeping
you out Of your fortune-for a good many years,
| hope"
"See here, Aunt Judith, you're making things
awfu[y hard for me- Cuthbert returned, getting
up and walking back and forth 81 don't pre-
tend to be indifferent TO money-still less to a
pretty grl-even if her name is-but there, never
mind. And / want to please you-in everything.
owe you much I'd be cad if | didn't But
don't you see ] can't let myself be bought, nor
well, there's other word for it-buled. If
if you hadn't been so outspoken, the chances are
that | should have fallen head over in love
with your paragon the first time l set my eyes
her-as IL is I shall have to hate her-Or
despise myself"
"Then-you're a fool" Mrs. NIockaby said,
angrily BE off with yourself at once. Yonder
comes my girl
II shan't be off-instead l shall help her down
from her horse, and do my best to be gallant" ,"
Cuthbert said, running down the piazza steps.
He black horse halted beside the mounting
block, with the prettest yellow-haired girl in
the world perched daintily upon its back
The vision was bare-headed, and swung a
sun bonnet by the strings AS he approached It,
it slipped from the saddle, and hute-voice said
eagerly Go back Mr.. Cuthbert Hill. l have
got to see Aunty Ju all by herself"
Upon my word-she also has ordered me off.
won't GO" Cuthbert said, taking both the
visions hands He was all in daze, except to
one thing-here was the one woman Of all the
world for him. And he had idiotically ade
the way to her hard and rocky. He wanted to
thrash himself then and there Why had not
Aunt Ju let him alone? Or why, rather. had
she not let him know earlier about Jam? 1t
was three years since she had moved into Jams
neighborhood- all that time she had made
Cuthbert stay away. All these things swept
over him he escorted the vision up the flower
bordered walk-a progress halted every third
step by exclamations or caresses for some newly
opened blossom. II have not been here for
two whole days" the vision said over its shoulder,
between kisses to an especially splendid rose
Next minute the girl had darted away, and
flung herself in Mrs. Mockaby's arms crying:
"Aunty Jul Aunty Ju! Such pickle things are
inl You must help me out!"
"only tell me how" Mrs. Mockaby said,
smoothing the yellow hair. Jam looked sienif-
cantly towards Cuthbert "'I'll tell you-as soon
he goes" she said, speaking very low, but
somehow Cuthbert heard He came up to them