Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-01

Ing up toWn on Broadway car the
other day. Your father occupied
the seat in front OF me; he was talk
ing to another man. He said: Too
bad about Underwood sinking every
cent in that wire deal, wasn't 1t?
Leave his family practically penni-
less. Dicks engaged to one Of the
girls, believe, but of course. it'll
all have to be off now.
bit my lips till the blood showed
through in purple prints.
"Prunellal'' My voice sounded
hoarse and angry over the wire.
"Yes?" hers came back in some
trepidation.
"Is that all?"
"Isn't 1t enough?''
NO." thundered, "it is not
Where are your"
I'm down town.
'Where?" I reiterated sternly.
"At the Grand Central station. My
train leaves in--"
/ banged the receiver on the hook,
grabbed my hat and flew down stairs.
Elevators were too slow for my pres
ent frame Of mind.
/ went at once to the ladies' wait
ing room. Prunella was not there.
Full of alarm hurried out into the
corridor. Less than ten feet away
girl, slim and graceful, in a dark
travelling suit. was pacing up and
down.
"Prunellai"
She sat down weakly on bench
nearest her, her face scarlet.
"Dick," she said reproachfully,
''you shouldn't have done this; you
shouldn't indeed"
sat down beside her and forced
her to look into my eyes.
Tell me now" ! said, why you
are trying to run away from me in
this fashion,"
II am not running away at all.
/ told you was"
"But you said Thursday. Today
is only
II was afraid. knew you would
try to see me, Dick. And was de-
termined that--that-"
looked at ner with savage re-
proach.
"You certainly couldn't have loved
me very much" I interrupted, star
ing ahead, "if you were willing to
give me UP like this"
"You have 1t reversed loved
you too much to stand In the way
of your interests"
looked at her curious1y a second:l
then I burst into downright laugh
ter. -
"You are a quixotic little idiot.
Prunella."
"I'm nothing Of the Sort" she
contradicted, with pink cheeks. sI'm
just simply proud, that's ALL"
Pride be@dashed. Come out of
this stuffy place, anyhow"
"But-but you don't understand,
Dick. must wait here till my
train is announced. I've already ac-
cepted this position and bought my
ticket"
'fI'll take charge of that" inter-
posed, holding out my hand. When
she gave it to me, quite deliberate
ly lifted it up and tore 1t in two.
Good gracious!" exclaimed Pru-
nella II paid"
my runabout is waiting outside.
Well take spin out to the park.
There's a fine new church just fin
ished out that way The minister
lives next door; he Is an old chum
of mine-nice fellow. If you need
a fresh pair of gloves or hook and
eye, or-or anything" stole
twinkling glance at her. 20.
mean to loan you the money II you
dol"
Quite unresistingly she found her.
self walking by my side and out into
the street, and the next thing we
were skimming dizzily over the
cleaning asphalt
Immediately after the ceremony,
told her, as we slid to a standstill
in front of the rectory, II shall drive
to my lawyers and make over every
red cent Of tho blamed money to
somebody else. I'll not be response
Bile day longer for such menace
ing element in my life"
Half an hour later, as Mr.. and
Mrs. Richard Allison, we were
whirling down Fifth avenue.
Prunella glanced at me trife un-
easily.
"Dick." she questioned. in little
tremulous voice, "who is 1t you are
going to settle"
why. on you, Of course. my dear.
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