Smyrna times., 1909-06-16

low tones, ne perSuadlng, she nalf re |
monstrating, occasionally both laugh |
ing, until at last she said in a tone Of |
yielding. II suppose it is all right, but |
it does look ridiculous for
'Sh-sh! Here comes Hilda," eau
toned he
Her mother was sewing busily and
Ben was smoking very cOntentedly
when she entered. AS neither made a
remark of any kind, she seemed to feel
the urgent need of an explanation of
something within her own mind and
commenced in the most vOluble man.
ner: did you think was going to
stay all night, mother? We had such
a lot Of things to talk about. Nettie
and p
"Who?" interrupted Ben. The tone
was so derisive that Hilda cried out
angrily:
Perhaps you do not believe mel
You are always laughing at me, and
think it's awful mean of you"
Ben smoked placidly and made no
reply. which angered Hilda all the
more. She looked toward her mother
as If craving support, but as she ap-
peared absorbed in her occupation the
enraged girl founced out of the room,
slamming the door vigorously.
1t lacked only a week to the date set
for the wedding. The evening was
coldly clear. but gusty, and the few re-
manning leaves were blown from the
bushes and scurried down the street
like droves of frightened fairies. Hill
da stood in the embrasure of the win
dow drumming restlessly on the win
dow pane.
An automobile halted by the curb,
but well in the shadow of the trees.
She turned, as If tired of her amuse-
ment, and sauntered up to her room.
1t was but a very few minutes until a
soft frOu-frou through the hall and the
cautious opening and closing Of the
front door betrayed her departure.
Ben came from an adjoining room
laughing gleefully. Hurry up, Lottiel
If they get there before us 1t win spoil
all the fun"
"You are sure that it is an elope-
ment, BenT
Certainly. l heard them planning
It Come on, come on" he urged, tax
ing her by the arm. They hurried out
by the rear entrance, and before the
others were under way they were fly
ing down side street to the parson-
age.
When the elOpers arrived they were
conducted at once to the study by the
parsOn himself. AS they placed them
selves in readiness for the marriage
ceremony the parson remarked: "YOT
must excuse me, but the law require:
two witnesses. suppose you do no
object" And without waiting for {
reply he opened a side door and ad
mitted Hilda's mother and Ben.
"OhY breathed Hida, frightened
But Ben said nothing. The ministe
went on with the ceremony, and Hilda
having caught sight Of Ben's derisiv'
smile, did not lift her eyes again til
! the final words were spoken.
The ceremony concluded, her mOthe
congratulated her calmly. Ben's eye
: twinkled mockingly as he held out hi
hand to Hilda.
Receive my hearty congratulations
> Mrs. Dupont. You rushed things
bit, and yet we were ahead of you.
D came here to marry. l thought 20
: were to be my bride, but you were
{ little cheat. 1 overheard you plannin
with the man who wore a better Goa
n than I, and, listening to your yer
amusing comments on my persona
peculiarities, l acknowledged to mysel
{ that the union would not be very sa
isfactory on either side. But the ST
4 uation was not as unpleasant as
!. might have been. I had been mistake
:, as we'll as you and the more 1 sa'
Of your mother the better satisfied
was with the way things were coming
really wanted you to be homes
= enough to speak out. but when 20
wouldn't. why, we made first innin
and were married less than five mil
utes before your arrival here"
Hilda's look of astonishment change
. to one Of demure mockery. II trus
u papa. dear, that you enjoyed my sun
mary OF your very mature charms
u she said
10 at didn't hurt my feelings q lit
bit, daughter knew my age to
"a day and all about the skating rinl
II and as to my coat, If Mr.. Charlie ha
ut worn it you wouldn't have known
n from broadclOth."
Hilda laughed saucily and gave h
ID newly made husband an adoring loo
RS $50, you see, 1t wasn't the Goa
er twas the man in the coat" philos
e- phized Ben.
l 'It was just a little game of tit fl
Y, tat, in which we are all winners" I
sh marked Mrs. Hildreth happily.
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