The Somerset reporter., 1907-07-04
VIII at he likes, was his re ady response

ton and take the train from there,
while I'll trolley 1t to Woodlawn and
get on board at that place. Then no
one will see us together until after we
leave the city and we are all o. K"
a ten minutes wait for the New
York express is time altogether mad
equate for repentance and home going
Besides, there was the danger Of dis
covery, and no one of Elsie kingstons
makeup ever flinched when danger was
In the air
Then there was her ticket to buy
her seat to secure ana the ten minutes
of boxing for friend or foe in that
crowded railway car
At Woodlawn station she saw Fred
Denton swing himself upon the plat
form Of the smoker, but the city streets
were far behind them and the train
was speeding fast through the country
meadows before he joined her When
he did he held in his hand a little
clrclet 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
already
"Why, Fred" She gasped, "where did
you get that"
your father handed 1t to me few
moments ago
Father. Where is he? Where did
you see him."
Hes back there in the smoker" he
replied nonchalantly lie gave it to
me just after the train left Wood
lawn"
Her face went white.
"What did you say?'
Nothing l was passing through
the car on my way to you when he
hailed me and said in the pleasantest
tone Imaginable Mr. Denton, | prom
ised my daughter to give you this
package There isn't to be any an
swer.' | took it from him, with an
All right and came on into the next
car. sitting where knew he could see
me from his seat. Then l waited
awhile and hunted you up
"He told me this morning he was
going away for couple of days"
Tears were very near her eyes. "Oh,
Fred, if he should see us and try to
make scene! What will we do?"
See here. little girl" said Denton
tenderly, you've got your engagement
ring back again, haven't you? Now,
IN the course of three or four hours
intend to supplement that with plain
gold band, Don't you worry. Aurora
stocks may have gone up in hot air,
but | didn't Your father wants you
to marry a hustler. Now. you just
watch me deliver the goods when he
calls for them"
"Flrst call for dinner! First call for
dinner" cried the porter on his way to
the smoker.
'Shall we go now" Denton asked
cor do you prefer waiting q little?"
FEATHER always likes an early din
ner," she answered. land he'll be sure
to pass through here very soon. There
won't be so many In the dining car
Let's go now"
They found a vacant table In the far
end of the dining ear and seated them
selves there. Scarcely had their order
been served when Kingston entered
Elsie. raising her eyes. saw him stand
Ing In the aisle. and she gave n little
Sigh, which made Denton look quickly
around. moment more, and he was
by their table.
Il will sit here" he said to the wait
er. Bring my plate to this table"
When they were alone he spoke again,
this time to his daughter.
as this the way you keep promlsesY
You did not ask me to promise not
to meet Fred" she answered, $50 Just
after you left l went to his office"
Then what?n he asked.
Then" said Fred. before Elsie could
speak, 81 asked Elsie to take this trip
with me. and she consented"
HUH grunted Kingston. "a we'd
ding trip, presume"
Hardly that" responded Denton
"as we are not married yet. We Just ex-
pect TO be when we reach New York !"
Then what?' The question was
asked In a tone which made Elsie
culver.
Nothing much" Denton answered
coolly. "only Aurora stocks brought me
In a neat three thousand more than
put into them, and yesterday l secured
position as house physician In the
Woodlawn ssnitarium, and that's good
for a couple OF thousand year"
Whats thatY asked Kingston
sharply.
you see, Kensett is one OF the most
influential men connected with that
institution and the little service was
fortunate enough to render the night
that drunken chauffeur tried to kill
him brought me the place. I've work
ed for 1t for three months, but that
clinched 1t, sure"
81 thought that was fellow by the
name OF Lent" growled Kingston.
That's what the papers said.
didn't care whether they called me
Lent or Easter 80 long as l got the
place and Elsie with It."
"Why didn't you keep me from max
ing a fool of myself" her father de-
manded, turning to his daughter with
we'll affected semblance Of wrath
For answer she rested her elbows up
on the table, her chin in her hands,
and gazed fxedly into his eyes for an
instant: then she said earnestly:
"You are improving father. l was
afraid you might lay the blame for