Middletown transcript., 1908-05-30

To Pinkham his appearance
came as a shock, and he promptly
took to his bed. For two days
he held to his contention that he
was i'll, then he gave in and
came on deck.
Ten minutes later Corness
came around the corner and sank
into the steamer chair next his
own.
I suppose, he began, that you
are still determined that Elsie
shall marry that little lordling?
More than ever, announced
Pinkham. You don't suppose
that I'd give in now, do you?
Twas hoping that you would.
You see, I have a minister on
board and I thought it would be
nice to have quiet little wed.
ding and make this a honeymoon
instead of a fight
A aOhat! demanded Pinkham.
A flight, repeated Corness.
You don't suppose, do you, that
I am not aware that you are get
ting tired of having q question
asked you a dozen times a day?
I'm not running away from it.
No, agreed Corness. You're
not. That's just the trouble.
You thought that you were going
to, though.
I am taking my daughter
across for a trip, explained Pink,
ham loftily. You see, she is
shortly to become a member OF
the British aristocracy, and ]
thought it would be we'll to let
her see something of the people
who are to be her future asso.
ciates.
Now that's too bad, unused
Corness.
What's too bad? demanded
Pinkham alertly. He never felt
safe with Corness about.
You see, explained Corness,
fiattered myself that you were
getting out of the country be-
cause of some little annoyance at
my persistency.
Huh! snorted Pinkham. Moth
ing of the sort.
Exactly, assented Corness.
That's where the trouble lies.
Do you know Struble, of the
Society Review?
Never read the sheet, said
Pinkham. More than once they
had made him a laughing stock
by printing some story of his fits
of tamnar. He hated the sheet
and all concerned with it.
Billy Struble, continued Cor
ness, is a great chum of mine.
He was at college with me and an
awfully decent sort. gave him
the whole story before we left.
Great Jiggers, man, cried Pink
ham, with his favorite expletive.
You don't mean to say that you we
given that internal scandal-mon-
ger the whole story!
Sealed, explained Corness as
suringly. It is to be published
at once in case I do not cable
that | am married. And when
all New York reads the account
of Pinkham, the great tinancier.
running away from his daugh-
ter's lover, a man he pretends to
despise-my! won't Wall street
laugh, and won't society laugh
too. [ can almost hear them
away out here on the rolling
waves, especially as he and his
precious daughter were not able
to get far from said lover. And
you can't get away from me, no
matter what you do. If you start
around the world you will find
me on the same steamer or train.
In cities / will take rooms at the
same hotel and bribe the head
waiter to give me a seat at your
table. If you go out in society
I will go toe and announce my
engagement to everybody meet.
Go away, you make me tired!
said Pinkham, wearily.
With a smile Corness rose and
strolled to the other side of the
ship where. Elsie stood with anx-
ious face.
Did he say Yes? she cried as
he approached.
I guess he's going to, said Cor
ness; l left him thinking it over.
Half an hour later they strolled
around to where Pinkham sat
with half closed eyes. He beck.
oned to them. -
Better get married right away,
he said family. I'd feel more
comfortable. I've stood about
as much from you as a man can,