The Washington herald., 1907-05-28
WHY HE HUSTLED.
BY ABBIE F. RANSOM.

in his hand a little circlet Of gold whose
center held a very familiar diamond.
Slipping into the seat beside her. he said:
Better put this upon your finger; it's
been away from its place too long al
ready"
WHY. Fred" she gasped, where did
you get that?'
Your father handed It TO me a few
moments ago"
Father? Where is he? Where did you
see him?"
He's back there in the smoker" he
replied. nOnchalantly He gave il to me
just after the train left Woodlawn."
Her face Went white.
What did you say?"
Nothing. l was passing through the
car on my way 10 YOU when he hailed me
and SAID in the pleasantest tone imagin-
able, Mr. Denton, I promised my daugh-
ter % give you this package There
isn't 10 be any answer ! took II from
him with an All right and came on
into the next car sitting where I knew
he could see me from his seat Then I
waited a while and hunted you ID"
He told me this morning he was 60
Ing away for a couple OF days" Tears
were very near her eyes. oh. Fred. II
be should see ms and try 20 make a scene.
What viii we do?'
See here. little girl" said Denton
teudcrly you've gOt your e1ga cement
ring back again. haven't you2 Now. in
the course of three or four hours I intend
to supplement that with a plain gold
band Don't you worry. Aurora stocks
may have gone up On hot afr. bat 7 didn't.
Your father wants you 10 marry hus-
tier Now YOU just watch me deliver the
goods when he calls for them"
First call for dinner, First call for
dinner cried the porter on his way 10
the smoker.
shall We go now?' Denton asked. cor
do you prefer waiting q little?'
Father always likes an early dinner"
she answered, and he'll be sure 10 pass
through here very soon. There won't be
so many in tho dining car. Let's go
now.
They found a vacant table I'm the far
end Of the dining car and seated them
selves there. Scarcely had their order
been served when Kingston entered.
Elsie, raising her eyes, saw him standing
in the aisle, and she gave a little sigh
which made Denton look quickly arolnd.
4 moment more and ne was by their
table
Il will SIT here" he said 10 the waiter.
Bring my plate % this table" When
they were alone he spoke again. this
time 70 his daughter
rs this the way You keep PROMISES"
You did not ask me % promise not TO
meet Fred" she answered, 80 Just after
you left I went % his office"
Then what?' he asked
Then. said Fred before Elsie could
speak, Il asked Elsie to take this trip
with ME and she consented"
Huh" grunted Kingston. "a wedding
trip, presume"
Hardly that" responded Denton. as
we are not married yet We just expect
to be when we reach New York"
Then That?' The question was asked
IN tone which made Elsie culver.
Nothing much Denton answered.
coolly, only Aurora stocks brought me
IN 4 neat three thousand more than
put into them. and yesterday I secured a
position as house physician in the Wood
lawn sanitarium, and that's good for a
"ouple Of thousand "a year"
What's that?' asked Kingston
sharply.
You see. Kensett IS one of the most
Influential men connected with that IN
stitution, and the little service l was
fortunate enough to render the night
that drunken chauffeur tried TO kin him
brought me the place. I've worked for
il for three months, but that clinched il,
sure
I thought that was q fellow by the
name of Lent" grOwled Kingston.
That's what the papers said ! didn't
care whether they called me Lent or
Easter so long as 1 got the place and
Elsie with IT,"
why didn't you keep me from making
4 fool OF mysef2' her father demanded.
turning to his daughter with a well af-
fectod semblance Of wrath
For answer she rested her elbows upon
the table. her chin in her hands. and
gazed fixedly into his eyes for an in
stant. Then she said earnestly:
You are improving. father. I was
afraid you might lay the blame for that
defect i'm your constitution upon the
Lord. Most people do"
Three hours later in the parIor Of the
Little Church Around the Corner" the
bride was given away by her father.
Copyrighted. 1907, by E C. Plrcelsj