The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-01-28

d few days to escape the dust Of the
city"
Isabel looked uncertain.
He may, she said.
! cannot think how you contriye
to keep so cool, Mrs. Lomax moaned,
dabbing some eau-de-cologne on her
forehead.
don't contrive-it's natural.
"It's very irritating to people who
have to gasp for every breath
You shouldn't gasp; lie still and
breathe naturally People lose half
the things life has to give by striving
after them; it is better to take things
quietly. ("
If you are going to talk like that
shall want to throw something at
you" Mrs Lomax said
Isabel laughed, a quiet, low ripple
Of sheer amusement. Then she went
into the garden and across the lawn
| to the pagoda. A boat was moored
to the steps under the sheltering
trees, and the odor of cigarette
mingled with the scent Of the roses.
In no way disturbed by these phenom-
ena, Isabel ran lightly up the steps,
and beheld Mr.. Folinbee stretched
at full length In a wicker chair, his
coat off and his shirt-sleevs turned
up.
"By Georgei isn't it hot?" he said,
springing to his feet with more agil-
lily than his friends would have placed
to his credit.
1T was foolish to come; you might
get a sunstroke
Il always try to keep appoint
ments.
Appointments?
Il asked If you would be in the
pagoda this afternoon, and you
said
Possibly.
your lips did, know; your eyes
said Yes
Then they should have had more
self-respect
She sat down on the steps, the
water lap-lapping at her feet, and the
suns piercing rays glancing through
the leafy network overhead and max
ing gold and copper patchwork of
her hair
@You might say you've pleased to
/ see me- he said.
II can truthfully say that, for
want to talk to you.
There is nothing like better than
hearing you-I came on purpose, and
and want to talk, too"
"Then you must wait until I've had
my say.
MAY / sit beside you and finish
my cigarette? "-taking the permits
sion as granted.
"Mr. Folinbee-s something of my
history you know, that am penni-
less-and-"
@That part doesn't matter bit.
"But you don't know that when
my mother died, five years ago, Mrs.
Lomax offered me home uncondi-
tionally.'
| 6 wish had had the chance"
He knew, none better, that Mrs.
Lomax never repented of the bar
gain; Isabel was maid, dressmaker,
secretary, companion, all combined,
at remuneration no other woman
would have accepted.
she and my mother were distant
Ecousins-so that 1t was all the more
creditable on her part, because no one
likes to have poor relations about the
place"
Rats said Mr.. Folinbee. calmly.
@Where?"
Never mind, dear--go on.
So invited you here to-day"
"You admit it?'
"Yes-to say that you must never
come again"
ooh! You could have said that on
a postal card. F"
@You must know, Mr.. Folinbee,
that people think you are going to
marry Mrs. Lomax?"
There are more lunatics at large
than locked up"
You have given her presents"
Il admit the accusation. ("
"Then you are not going to marry
her?n
Not while the present law exists.
MY dear" with a quick change of
tone, fiinging the cigarette away, II
am going to marry you-you know
| it.
Why have you not told Mrs. Lo-
max SO all along?"
Because she would have shown
me the door, and we should have had
to meet at the Art Gallery, or in the
park Think of lit"
"She must be told now"
In a week or two; it's too hot to-
day, and she might send me away
without any tea. Besides, / want to
be near you.
Then their eyes met, and he kissed
her
A sharp ring summoned John 10
the front door Of the Folinbee fat
Mrs Lomax stood outside.
is Mr.. Folinbee at home?" she
asked
mo, ma'am. He went to Ashcroft
this morning
Suddenly"
"The business manager wrote fol
him.
A telegraph boy came whistling
noisily up the stairs and thrust
telegram into Johns hand.
"Any answer?" he demanded.
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