Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-12-14
AN ANGEL
ELEPHANT
By GRETCHEN GRAYDON
Copyright, 1906. by E. c. PARCELS

wonder II you dream now adOr-
able you are in that blue gown" Heth-
srton said, trying to possess himself of
Philomena's hand.
She drew it away. pursed her lips
daintily, and flung back at him. "Ohl
It's the gown, is it? Thank you fol
telling me. shall be sure to wear il
the next time the MacCarty comes to
see us"
"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 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 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 aggravat
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 Phlomena 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 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 know how came to promise
him two dances-I adore elephants-al-
ways did," Fhilomela murmured, re-
fectvely, 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"-
II
quite easily. but with magical light
ening of countenance. Il must sal
that will be handsome of you" III
| went on; then, his hands slipping VI
to her shoulders, sweetheart, let's rul
away from everything-the grand bal
the elephant, the Mannering-run ava,
and get married. Listen. 1t Will D
so easy; only a spin across country I
l that dear little stone church we say
last week-we'll take along witnesse
- and telegraph for our traps to folloN
us. IF 'twere done, when 'twere don
n then 'twere we'll 'twere done quickly
u Think how much we shall escape, a
!, the fuss and frills and upsetments OF
u big wedding. And this is the only wa
TO escape them. know your aunt Ia
u her heart set on St Thomas. VIII
I twelve bridesmaids. and all the re-
of it. Say yes, there's darling. WI
live just to keep you from being sori
ID for it, even one time
at sounds enticing," Philomena sal
then with a reflective sigh: But
can't be done. You see if l ran
| with YOU. the Mannering would neVl
| ably get the MacCarty and his million
| That's what she is here for, and thai
what I'm bound not to let her do.
"Have your joke" Hetherton grul
bled, trying to draw her to his breast
She put him away with gent
| dignity. saving: "But it is not joi
| That's why l am so provoked WI
| Won: YOU let yourself be one OF her D'
| gudgeons. Oh, she's a shrewd piece
Che knows a man like the MacCart
| means to pick a wife as he has pick
| racing stable, from among INC
other men want very much.
| GLOW do you know?" Hetherton
manded.
Pbilomena opened her eyes "
wide. ''Why. he told me So" she So
you know we are great friends
talk of many things. And he Is rea
vastly entertaining-such big nulk
i raw human nature, with streaks
wit and other streaks of understa
ing through its honest ignorance.
- "U-ml You are somewhat De
How many times has he proposed
vouY' Hetherton asked
"Only once the first day" Philom
7 said. smiling wickedly. Il asked I
for consideration, but he wouldn't
II He wanted a straight yes or
? - oonsoled me by telling me tina