The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-10-25
high price for it, but he let me have it
! for SIS. l hope it's all right"

high price for it, but he let me have 1t
! for SIS. l hope it's all right"
The bachelor swallowed hard.
| "Of course it's all right" he answer
ed cheerfully. "rm glad to hear that
come one has got the best OF Pat once
He needs all the beating down that's
coming to him."
Then the while the bachelor deity
| filled the little pipe Of the samovar
with charcoal to himself he kept re-
| peating: "Pll make her stay as long as
l can. Isn't she bewitching? I'll make
her stay as long as l can. I'll make
| her.
Camilla broke in upon this silent
chant of alteration.
Il shouldn't think you could bear to
part with it." she said, giving the
samovar an appreciative little pat.
"Well, l don't exactly like to-" he
admitted. ITS n sort of companion
when you're all alone But Pm tired
of living alone-going to give it up"
"But your wife will certainly love to
have it." ventured Camilla, pretending
to be absorbed In the charcoal demon
stration.
"My wife, the bachelor fairly shout
ed. Pardon me, I'm not so lucky
I'm just going back to my old home
for change"
And leave this beautiful studio and
sell all these wonderful things?" COM
mented Camilla. Il think you're crazy.
INK 10 In MIA
this"
The bachelor watched her flushed
cheeks and her sparkling eyes. He
had an inspiration.
"Oh, by the way" he suggested, with
well assumed carelessness, Il suppose
you told Pat where to send the sam
oyar."
Camilla laughed n bit shyly.
"Well, no, l didn't. You see, was
just hunting for n card when 1 heard
you unlocking the door. That scared
me so that l forgot all about the card.
Here it is
The bachelor glanced at it politely,
then looked at 1t again more closely.
Could he believe his eyes?
Camilla Sheldonw he exclaimed.
"WhS, l know your father! Let's
shake hands. I'm Robert Demarest."
"Oh, you can't be"' gasped Camilla.
"Why, he's q stupid old bachelor. Dad
dy's going to bring him home to dinner
with him tonight"
I'm the man." affirmed Robert,
laughing You've sized me up all
right
Camilla covered her burning cheeks
with her little white gloved hands.
"Oh, how can l look you in the face
again." she cried.
That's the question for me to ASK"
Robert retorted.
Camilla lowered her hands, but her
eyes were still downcast.
You won't tell father, will you, Mr..
DemareSt!"
"All right" assented Rob. NUNS
the word If you say So, Miss Camilla"
When the door had closed after her
Robert stood looking down thought
fully at the samovar. mo going back
home for you, old man." he solilo-
quized. shed adore to live in a
place like thisr Think of it!'
He rang the bell for Pat.
"See here, Pat" he directed, "ISwant
you to wrap up this teapot and take it
around to this address. Be quick about
it,"
lie handed Pat Camilla's card, tand
at the same time Slipped n coin into
his hand. The astonished Pat allowed
no grass to grow under his feet.
At the first opportunity after dinner
Camilla cornered Robert Demarest.
at was most thoughtful Of you to
send the samovar over tonight" she
began hurriedIy But I forgot to tell
you this afternoon that I hadn't paid
Pat for it. and now that I've thought
it over, Mr.. Demarest, don't see how
can take it from you at any price"
"Then let me give it to you" begged
Rob.
Ssh! There comes daddy. No, I'm
going to confess everything to him
after you're gone. And then you two
can settle the matter betweenAy you"
1t was several months after the dis
covery Of the samovar "ad." that Ca
milla, seated ON low divan in front
of an open fire In her fathers big
rambling library, looked up at Rob
suddenly and asked:
(Which got the best Of the bargain,
Rob, you or dad? Aren't you ever 60
ing to tell me? I've asked you and
asked you"
Pm going to tell you right now"
Rob declared. His tone was so serious
that Camilla was almost frightened.
"Your father said I might give the
samovar to you on one condition." he
announced.
"Well, Of all things" protested Ca
milla, without even asking me if
"Wait n minute" interrupted Rob.
THAT was just the cOndition-if when
1 asked you you would have me. Ca
milla, will you marry me? You know
you once said that you would adore to
live
Camilla buried her face in sofa
cushion.
"You did say so, Camilla" he re-
peated. Won't you say so again,
dear?"
Il suppose that MEANS" said Ca
milla, lifting her mischievous face, mo
Robert. no samovar."
Robert didn't even smile, but looked
into Camilla's eyes searchingly.
"Well," she sighed. II guess you've
got the best of the bargain, Rob. Pat
will be pleased"
Whereupon Rob stopped her saucy
mouth with kisses.
i EMcTH lE IHE DAYS