The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-10-26

!: An Adventure Of Gregory
So By MARIE STURTTvANT.


farewells upon the group of laughing,
waving girls on the railroad track.
He had kissed them all good-by ex-
cept Molly, and she had artfully
lodged him. His last look was for
her, till curve in the road shut them
all from his sight. But the wild pur-
pie aster that he calamity wore in the
lapel of his coat had been placed
there by Ruth.
Mighty fine girls, all of them" he
murmured, making his way down the
aisle of the 'swayiHg car to a seat.
e But Molly's the star. If l don't find
an excuse to go over to Philadelphia
this fall it will be because my imagin-
alton will have gone back on me"
Smiles lowered about his boyish
mouth as he continued to reminisce
Ruth is darling. 1 thought she
was the only girl ever met till Molly
came" He dropped a regretfuI
glance at the purple aster, and then
tenderly examined a girlish ring at
tached to his watch chain 1t was
Molfy's. Till they should meet In the
winter he was to wear it, and she was
to wear his most precious ring, the
one his father brought him from
Rome. They had known each other
two weeks. But two weeks in the
woods is as good as two years under
ordinary conditions, SO Gregory ar
gued. Suddenly he realized that for
some moments past he had been UNI
consciously regarding the bright ten
drills of hair OF O. girl across the aisle
a little in front of him. The pure
white of her skin deepened to shell
pink at her cheek
Her hat was soft and dropping and
one pink rose caught and held the
scarf twined about it. Gregory was
a youth who made it a point to live
In the present, and Immediately he
was at attention An elderly gentle
man with gray hair shared the seat
with her. Gregory walked to the
1orward end of the car, and then re-
turned in order to get face view of
the girl AS he drew near her seat
the long lashes were raised and a
pair OF lovely gray eyes met his eager
nlue ones. She wore SO sweet an ex-
sregsion that she seemed about to
break into smile. When Gregory
fegained his seat he opened the win
dow and threw out the purple aster.
For an hour he watched the pretty
profile. his fertile mind concocting
schemes whereby he mighW make
friends with the girl and her compan-
ion. Twice he heard her call the old
party papa. To get solid with
papa" was his role, then. Gregory
read them as well-to-do farmer and
his daughter, bnarding-schoo bred.
She was past twenty, Gregory was
sure. (Gregory was twenty-one.)
Gregory's motor car was to meet him
at the station, and this furnished
working material for schemes. AT
last the seat directly in front of his
quarry was vacated, and the young
man moved into it, hoping to tempt
rate. Sure enough, as they neared
Boston, the old gentleman leaned
over and asked a question about dis
tances in that city. In little while,
thanks to the youths own wits and
engaging manner, the seat was turned
and Gregory had arrived
Il expect my motor car to meet
me-" he said as they gathered up their
baggage. my business is taking
parties Sightseeing"
The girl looked enthusiastic.
What, one of those big wagons, with
a megaphone?"
mo, mines a small one. take
only small parties"
Oh, papa, let's ask him to take us
as soon as we arrive!''
Gregory was Juggling at something
on his watch chain. Finally he de-
tached it and furtively slipped it into
his pocket.
'Papa" was far from infirm in spite
of his gray hairs ana insisted on at
tending to his own baggage In the
meantime Gregory dismissed his
chauffeur. 'IIl run the car myself
to-day, Shea,' he said.
Hope-that was her name-with
her hat enyeloped in big pink veil,
gayly took her seat beside Gregory.
odd people to the rear" she laughed,
- f'-~F1 5OOu~AftlufSuly SuIeTeu the
tonneau alone. Gregory was rather
shocked at this lack Of respect. your
father seems very young for his
years. he said as he slowly guided
his car through the crowd. She made
no answer and the young man looked
at her. She met his grave look with
an explosive laugh. Don't be de-
ceived by white hair. Papa is not SO
very old" She continued to laugh,
and Gregory laughed with her from
Sheer Joy in her companionship.
they had a glorious day of it.
gregory fell deeper in love at every
mile covered. He took them to an ex-
elusive out-of-town club to luncheon,
allowing them to believe it hotel.
hnally landing them at their hotel,
one OF the best. after sunset.
AT the farmers" solicitation Greg |
DRY dined with them as their guest. |
lt was in the library that the old gen
tleman took out a huge pocketbook.
Gregory, rather red in the face. man
fully explained who he was. that the |
affair was meant as lark, and apol- !
ogized for any offence that might |
have been given. Hope and papa
laughed and thanked him for having
q sense of humor that worked SO
happily for them.
II hope | can be of service to you
49, = \ L.