Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-06-12

r.
We could hare been spared this-thts
morttfcGtiOrl.'
ed unbelief in her tones. Pike smiled
at her.
Well" he said. I've got the papers
in my grip. 1 expect that
"Oh, know ity' she interrupted e1-
plosively. Its only that we didn't
fancy-we didn't expect
She paused. aud be went on:
Il expect you thought I'd be consld-
erably older
Not only that"
And I guess you thought I'd neg
lected you good deal" There was q
touch OF remorse in his tone. and he
looked idly az the hat he held. And
IL did look like it-never coming TO see
yOu-but I couldn't hardly manage the
time 10 get away. You see. being trus-
tee Of your share OF the estate 1 don't
hardly have a fair show at my law
practice. But when I got your letter
eleven days ago l says 10 myself:
Here, Daniel Voorhees, Pike, you old
sheuback. you've just got TO take time.
John Simpson trusted you with his
property, aud he's done more-he's
trusted you TO look out for her. and
now she's come 20 a kind OF jumping of
place I'm he. life-she's thinking Of get
ting married-so you just pack your
gripsack and hike out over there and
stand by her"
During the last half OF his speech
"A .F
at which she bridlcd resentfuuy.
i quite fail TO understand your point
Of view" she said frigldly. Perhaps
] had best make IL clear 20 you that I
am no longer thinking OF getting mar
ried"
Wei. Lord "a mercyW calculated
Pike. leaning back in his chair and
smiling at her. but she affected not 10
notice the lighter tone and went on.
Il mean have decided upon It. The
ceremony is TO take place In a fort
night"
Pike brought the front feet Of hfs
chair down with a crash.
well. declarer' he cried.
I'VE shall dispense with all delays"
she went on. and Pike regarded her
solemniy for a moment
well. / don't know as / could say
anything against that He must be a
mighty nice fellow. and you must
think a heap Of him" He sighed.
That's the way IL should be-" He
looked at her. And you're happyT'
Distinctly said Ethel decisiyely.
Pike looked on over the blue bav
and then his gaze travelled 10 where
Horace had been standing. and with
start he turned TO her again, speak
ing eagerly
1T amt that fellow I was talking
with. yonderT"
And she -oiced an indignant protest
THAT was my brotherP'
Lord "a mercyr' calculated Daniel
and then recovered himself. But.
then, / wouldn't remember him. He
couldn't have been more than twelve
when you was home last OF course
I'd "a known you"-
"HOw?" demanded Ethel. "You
couldn't have seen me since / was a
child"
From your picture. though now I
see it amt so much like you" be an
swered. and she stepped forward. with
astonishment.
You have a photograph OF meY"
The last time / saw your father
alive he gave II 10 me-to look at"
And you remembered
yes. ma'am."
look OF incredulity passed over
EthePs face. and she replied:
ut does not strike me as possible.
However, we viii dismiss the sub
ject"
''Wer. if you'd like to introduce me
10 your-to your
''To my brotherY'
mo, ma'am; to your-to the young
man.
ITO Mr.. st. Aubyn?" cried Ethel. re-
eoiling a step. Il think il quite un-
necessary"
I'm afraid can't see It that way.
I'll have to have couple Of talks with
him, sort OF look him over, so to
speak won't stay around here spoil.
ing your fun any longer than / can
heip-only just for that and to get G
letter I'm expecting from England"
Ethel bit her lip vexatiously.
81 do not see that you need have
come at all. We could have been
spared this-this modification"
You mean / mortify your Why, /
Il can't see how"
TN a hundred ways" she replied,
every way. That common person
who ts with YOU
HE isn't common. You only think
10 because he's with me-" returned