Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-19

Observation-Disclosures G
he meant to have her. She loved him
too!
He sat down IN the bank to think over
this phase of the question. He had known
her several years in the minute and a
half since noon, and 1t was time this fool
1shnesS came to an emo.
Time nies when youth listens to the fan
cled strains of Mendelssohns Spring Song
He was surprised. presently to note a
strange hush settling down over the
woods. chill vapor seemed to arise
from the water. There was a melancholy
note in the tweet of the low fitting birds
Ihe rustling trees softened their murmur
to a continuous whisper. soothing and
caressing. The tinkle of the creek he
came more metallic and pronounced
Near by. down the stream. a sudden
chorus Of frogs burst into croaking their
Isolated notes blended by the chirping I'M
dertone of the crickets and tree toads
There were other sounds mysterious un-
traceable. but all musical in greater or
lesser degree.
He understood at last. These sounds
the rustling leaves. the fitting birds, the
tinkling creek, the frogs, tree toads and
crfckets and those other intangible ca
denceS. these were the instruments oe ma
lures vast orchestra, playing their lula
by. languorous and sweet, for the drowsy
day. 1t was dusk. and he was desperate
ly in love with Adnah. and he had on a
fool bloomer bath suit and no money, and
he had to go back into civilization just as
he was. Woe, woe. woe and anathema.
At the house he found a table set under
a big oak tree back of the kitchen. Sup
ia ,i,,ad hx- ha 80
a solitary lantern. Aunt Sarah and Aunt
Ann. each with a pistol in her lap. sat
grimly to one side. Adnah nor Aunt Ma
tilda were anywhere to be seen, and he
OWNED with thrill that Aunt Matilda
was acting as jailOr to the young woman
until he should be safely off the prem
Uses. Evidently she had been ard to
manage. Bless the little girl!
He took off his hat as he approached
and bowed respectfully.
Il should like you to know who I am
he began.
You will please to eat your supper
without conversation" Aunt Sarah stern
ly interrupted.
II wish to pay my addresses to your
niece" he protested. but the two ladies'
finding rude1ess necessary, clasped their
hands to their ears.
Kindly eat" said Aunt Sarah. without
removing her hands.
He sat down and glared at the food in
despair. He thought lie heard Adnahs
voice and the sounds of a scuffle in the
house, and 1t gave him inspiration He
arose. and. leaning his hands on the edge
OF the table. shouted as loudly as he
could:
II am John Melton of Philadelphia
will give you as many references as you
like ] wish your permission to write to
your niece and. later on, to call upon her.
May I do 500"
Are Won going N eat x-ol,r cI,ppor in
quired Aunt Sarah.
He gave up. He could noteas a gentle
man. take Aunt Sarah's hands from her
ears and make her listen to what he had
to say He turned sadly away from the
table. The armed escort also arose.
please lead the way" requested Aunt
Sarah. 1.-The path leads directly from
the front of the cottage to the road"
He had stalked. in dismal silence. almost
half way down the winding avenue Of
trees. modify watching the gigantic
shadows of his limbs leaping jeykily
among the shrubbery, when 1t occurred to
him that the women could scarcely carry
the lantern and pistols and still hold their
ears.
L am John Melton of Philadelphia he
shouted. and looked back to address them
more directly. Alas. the pistols reposed
in the pockets of the two prim aprons
the lantern smoked askew at Aunt Sa-
rah's waist. and both women were holding
their hands to their ears!
He could not know that they had been
whispering about him. however. and really
very complimentary. Not even that ridi-
culous costume could hide his athletic fig
ure. his good carriage and pleasant ad-
dress.
They were nearing the road when they
heard woman's voice Shrieking for them
to wait. and presently Aunt Matilda came
running after them. breathless and ex-
cited
You must come back to the house at
once all of YOU" she painted. "Adnah is
wildly hysterical. She insists that she
must have this young man, monster or no
monster-that she will die without him, 1
truly believe that she WOULD"
Nonsense" exclaimed Aunt Sarah.
"Come on, them.
1t was Aunt Sarah who swiftly and
anxiously led the way At the door of
the parlor she paused and confronted the
young man.
Remember she warned. that how
ever impulsive' our poor. misguided niece
may appear you must not kiss herr
Without waiting for reply she opened
the door for him. Adnah, smiling hap
PLY through the last of her tears, sprang
to meet him, and. Selling his hand. drew
him down on the couch beside her.
I'm going to keep You here always.
now" she declared with pretty authority,
as she locked her arm in his and inter-
laced their fingers.
He looked around at the aunts and sud-
denly longed for his own clothes They
had drawn their chairs in close semi