Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-22
CHAPTER XVII

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 CHAPTER XVII.
 \ HOT DAY IN NEW YORK, WITH
 NEWS OF AN INTEREST
 ING MARRIAGE.
 At i've o'clock that day the prov of the viluca cut the waters of Newport harbor around Goat Island, and pointed for New York. Now is your time" said Mrs. Drel- mer to Mauburn. I'm sure the girl likes you, and this row with the Mil breys has cut off any chance that cub had. Why not propose to her to- night?"
 ''I have seemed to be getting on," answered Mauburn. But wait a bit. There's that confounded girl over there. No telling what she'll do She might knock things on the head any mo- ment."
 All the more reason for prompt action, and there couldn't very. we'll be anything to hurt you" By love! that's so; there couldn't, very we'll, could there? I'll take your advice
 And so it befell that Mauburn and Miss Zines sat late on deck that night, and under the witchery of moon that must long since have become hardened to the spectacle, the old. old story was told, to the accompaniment of the en- gine's muf1ed throb, and the soft purring of the silver waters as they slipped by the boat and blended with the creamy track astern. So little variation was there in the time-worn tale, and in the maids reception of it, that neither need here be told of in de- tail.
 Nor were the proceedings next morn- ' Ing less tamely orthodox. Mrs. Zines managed to forget her relationship of elder sister to the poor long enough to behave as a mother ought when the heart of her daughter had been given Into a true lovers keeping. Percival deported himself cordially.
 "I'm really glad to hear it. he said to Mauburn. ''Im sure you'll make sis as good husband as she'll make you wife; and that's very good, in- deed. Let's fracture a cold quart to the future Lady Casselthorpe."
 And to the future Lord Cassel- thorpe!" added Mrs. Drelmer, who was warmly enthusiastic.
 sf Such a brilliant match she mur- mured to Percival, when they had touched glasses in the after-cabin. T know more than one New York girl who'd have jumped at the chance"
 we'll try to bear our honors mod estly," he answered her.
 The yacht lay at her anchorage in the East river. Percival made prepar- ations to go ashore with his mother.
 Stay here with the turtle doves" he said to Mrs. Drelmer, far enough of, of course. to let them coo, and I'll be back with any people can pick up for cruise"
 At five in the afternoon Percival had gathered hls party. Pereival, Arledge and his lively wife, Yelverton, who en- joyed the rare distinction of having lost money to Percival, and Burman. East they drove through the street where less fortunate mortals panted in the dead afternoon shade, and out on to the dock. whence the Viluca's naph- etha launch presently put them aboard that sumptuous craft. A little breeze there made the heat less oppressive.
 "Well be under way as soon as they fetch that luggage out" Percival as- sured his guests.
 'It's been frightfully oppressive all day, even out here" said Mrs. Drel- mer, but the engaged ones haven't lost their tempers once. even if the day was trying And really they're the most unconditional and matter-of-fact couple I ever saw. Oh! do give me that stack of papers until catch up with the news again."
 Percival relinquished to her the evening papers he had bought before leaving the hotel, and Mrs. Drelmer h boat was soon running through them.
 The others had gone below. where Percival was allOtting staterooms. and urging every one to "order whatever cold stun you like and get into as few things as the law allows. For my part, I'd like to wear nothing but cold bath"
 Mrs. Drelmer suddenly betrayed signs of excitement. She sat mp straight in