The Washington herald., 1907-08-03
4 TIN PEDDLER.
By ARNOLD MORTON.

Yes, Arthur Blakeiy was to blame for
the quarrel. The rising young lawyer
frankly admitted this TO his law books
and his office desk, and he would have
frankly admitted it to Molly Gray but
for pride's sake His transgressfOns con-
sisted of seeing another young lady off
on the train. The seeing off, meant
buying her ticket and getting her trunk
checked, and that might have been for
given had not something else followed.
She had to change cars at a junction
five miles out, and she was In such fear
that she would take a wrong train and
bring up in Texas instead Of Connecticut
that the young lawyer was prevailed upon
to accompany her thus far. OF course,
Molly happened by the merest accident
to find it out. and the fact that Blakely
had said nothing made a mountain out Of
a mole hill. II was that little trifle that
brought about a quarrel and disturbed
the center Of equilibrium OF the whole
United States.
Miss Molly was fortunate enough to
have two aunts. She was Aunt Re-
becca's ward and resided with her in the
city, and her Aunt Sarah lived about
thirty miles out and had advice TO offer
on all occasions. but more especially in
case Of lovers quarrels. When this quar-
rel had lasted a week, and when the
young man, after seven sleepless nights,
had determined to sink his pride and
send flowers and follow them in person,
Miss Molly was tossing her head before
the glass and saying things 20 herself,
particularly that she would show Mr.
Arthur Blakely what was what. and
teach him a lesson TO last him all the
rest Of his born days. She'd teach him
TO buy tickets and check trunks and ride
out to functions with q girl who had
once referred 70 her hair as plain red in
stead Of Titan
Ten minutes later she had decided to
visit her Aunt Sarah A message was
sent ahead. and Aunt Sarah was at the
depot to meet her. The niece received
a warm welcome, and following q plan
perfected on the train. she forced herself
to be unusually gay and appeared in the
best Of spirits. They had scarcely reached
the house, however. when Aunt Sarah
patted her on the shoulder in a motheriy
way and said:
Now, then, you poor child, let's hear
all about Il. ! want 10 assure YOU at
the start that you have my entire sym
pathy."
why, Amity. what do you mean7"
Don't try TO fool me. young lady,
I'm not your Aunt Rebecca. but your
Aunt Sarah. Has that scOundreI toyed
with your heartstrfngs and then walked
of? When Sister Rebecca wrote me
that he had a Roman nose and a sandy
mustache, I set him down for a scoun-
drel."
The young lady tried to brazen II out
but was cornered and had 10 tell. She
made it as light for Arthur as she could.
but when she had finished her story
Aunt Sarah said:
You have done just the right thing.
That young man needs a lesson. You
are going to stay right here for the rest
Of the summer. and he may write. tele-
phone, and telegraph until he is gray
headed, and It won't do him any good
The Grays have never allowed any one
to walk over them, and they are not go
ing 20 begin now. If you don't make him
get down on his knees and ask your
pardon thousand times over, you are
no true Gray"
Molly went 10 her room greatly dis
satisfied. She had had a quarrel with
Arthur Blakely. but there were lots Of
things 10 be said IN his favor. and it
was real mean Of Aunt Sarah to pitch
into him as she had. The young lady
presently found herself arguing that she
had a perfect right to feel hurt and in
Jured and be a week getting over it.
She had brought along his notes and let
ters' Of course They made quite a