The Lamar register., 1909-09-15

The lingering carriage. with liveried
driver and footman, whose horses
slowly loitered up and down the street
to keep their thoroughbred bAod STIR
ring, should have warned the young
men. but they gave no heed. Sleepily
they assembled the Deadstone steps,
deliberately they fumbled the Dead
stone lock, and then-then they were
In the hall. with Mrs. Deadstone COM
ing toward them, yellowish pale. The
plum colored coat and brass buttons
were either occupied elsewhere or,
more probably. had gone back to the
establishment from which they had
come. The lettering carriage was
drawing up to the Deadstone curb.
cutting of retreat. Gentlemen. gen.
tlemen," gasped Mrs. Deadstone.
they are just going She gave an
agonized glance up the stair. toward
where the fowler and the Harper
were presumably adjusting wraps and
hats, and added: "Oh, what will they
Think"
A moment more and the vinegar
voice of Miss Harper and the oilier
salad dressing they could give this
scandal. as they came trickling down
the stairway. "Hidei" groaned Mrs.
Deadstone. For the love OF heaven.
hidei"
There was no opportunity to object.
Mrs. Deadstone half pushed Mr.. Mar
maluke back of the portieres. which
screened the door leading to the little
'drawing-room," and half-thrust Mr..
Kersey into a low and seldom-used
closet under the stair. There they
move. while the uptowners made their
interminable farewells.
AS for those two young men," Mrs.
fowler was saying. Il am sure that
one of them has some breeding and
| am almost sure that he would show
some brains. under normal condi-
TONS
Under normal conditioner" queried
Miss Deadstone. wholly uncompre-
bending her mothers nervousness. for
she had been abovestairs with their
guests.
"Oh. don't pretend to misunder-
stand. Perhaps you can't see 1t. being
In the same beclouded condition your
self, but II your mother isn't in dan
ger of losing n daughter. never saw
the symptoms"
"Oh. my dear Flora said the per-
turbed Mrs. Deadstone. with an hys-
terical laugh. you were always such
a humorist."
Well. let us hope that you'll find II
humorous" put in Miss Harper. For
my part, II you'll pardon my saying
so. was not impressed by the com
pany Mr.. Marnaluke keeps"
For the cribbed, cabined and con-
fined Kcrsey. who could almost have
pinched her where she stood. and who
felt tempted to do so. this was far
from agreeable.
What do you mean by symptoms?'
asked Miss Deadstone. suddenly.
why. that's one OF them" laughed
Mrs. Jowler ''Treasuring an uniin-
portant remark about your beloved
and going back to II. Another one is
that you enjoy being leased about him.
Goodness!"
IN DtAOlt htds thf Nsioo'h
was little used and consequently
dusty. Mr.. Kersey had struggled val
iantly. but the air was bad. he could
not keep absolutely quiet. and the
dust would mount into his nose. The
result. a sneeze.
Mrs. Deadstone. perspiring coldly
at every pore. made a last effort. look
ing through the window OF the door.
What handsome horses you have.
Flora. No wonder you use them
oftener than you do your motor-car.
And what perfect servants!"
The situation might have been
saved. had not the dust still acted as
potently as old Scotch snufr In Mr..
Kersey's nostrils. At the second ex-
plosion, Mrs. Jowler stepped aside
hastily into the curtain and could
scarcely repress a scream. Miss Har-
per's eyes glittered and her nose went
up as If smiling carrion. Miss Dead
stone was unfeignedly astonished.
MIR. Marmaluke emerged from his
ENHANCEMENT with the curtain and
Mrs. fowler. Don't be alarmed. Mrs.
Jowler." he said. boldly; the explain
alton is simple enough. | have the
honor to be the sutton Of Miss Violette.
/ did so want 10 say Goodnight to
her. so I came back"
Il knew III" exclaimed Mrs. fowler.
much placated by her triumph.
Mr.. Marmaluke!" exclaimed the
girl.
What's the use in denying it," per
sisted the young man.
Mrs. Deadstone opened her mouth
as II to protest, causing Mr.. Marina
luke to add: And with your moth
er's CONSENT"
Mrs. Dcadstone, afraid to deny and
unwilling to approve. gave half
groan and toppled back, just In time
to reach the arms of Mr.. Kersey. as
hat gentleman scrambled out OF the
closet.
Appearances may be against me.
aid Darby, but while annornc 1mepts
1ro In order. wish to state T. | am
mt betrothed to Mrs. DeadstonsI'
CHARACTER OF AN OATH.