Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-11

He had only simple fracture, the doctor said, but somehow he made a very slow recovery. Tho colonel had sworn over him for exactly half an hour. silently, of course. Humanity and Hospitality both forbade anything else. Then he had fallen victim to the charm of personality slngularly frank and winning. AS for nanny. she had succumbed instantly.
 Lsabeth was not permitted to do more than say Good morning" through the door so long as Macllse kept his room, but when he came down to sit on the piazza or hobble up and down the garden she followed him like fascinated child.
 He had such tales to tell her. Evi- dently he had been all over the world. He was thirty, not handsome, but we'll made and supremely we'll bred In spite of his vocation. The Mertons each and several deplored the vocation tacitly.
 He had not fretted in the least over his accident. Instead, after sending off couple of brief letters. he had said: "Now everything Is fixed. have only to enjoy myself getting we'll" All his solicitude had been for the brass bound trunk. He had beside it suit case cramful of proper clothes. Moreover, his wallet was so fat, his fees and tips so generous, 1t was clear he had no anxiety about money.
 In his first fortnight at Willow Wand all the family he'd confded to him their plans and grievances. Set speech was hardly necessary. He had sensed so much before 1t came. After seeing the Kinross thing and the long descended Hump billiard his judgment veered shamelessly to Llsabeths side.
 But you need man of your own to fight for" he explained to her ju- dicially, 'somebody-anybody almost to oppose to these two. You insist that you can do better than take cl ther. You've got to show nanny and the colonel, even if they don't come from Missouri. Don't you know any body you could idealize into hero?"
 Lisabeth shook her head, murmur ing: q don't know him, but I know of him. It's so aggravating he won't come home. I wonder if you ever met him Murray. He's been globe trotting ever since he left college. I made up my mind to marry him-no- body else-two years ago, when l went all over his house, not because it's so fine, but for the name-Goodheart. l love that. And Pm sure I'd love him too. But how can I when he keeps away all the time:"
 "It might be harder still if you saw him. No, I've never met him, but I've heard q lot about him-not much to his good" Maclise said, scowling oddly. If he's the only rival you can scare up l see nothing for it but to propose myself. You found me. you know, and said finding was keeping
 And I meant it-right then" Lisa beth said joyously Even if you are drummer I believe it will be great fun to go along with you. l might even drum for things myself"
 That's a bargain" Maclise said, holding her tight, but not kissing her. 'Im afraid, though, you won't stick to 1t when you know I'm rank, rank impostor-not a bit of a drummer You don't even know my right name"
 T dop't care-I know you," Lisabeth cried, clinging closer. Then he kissed her twice, saying, with the least shake in his voice: Thank God! Sweetheart, l never before was so proud of myself But the name is q pretty decent one. I'm asking you formally to be Mrs. Marmaduke Ma elise Murray. I was going home with my family papers in that trunk when it lamed me and gave me something very much more precious. Now, what do you think mammy and the colonel will say?"
 Tt doesn't matter. I say Yes Lis abeth whispered. "Still. believe they uop,t la f,,vc ho,,t