The Press., 1909-03-17
ole Winning of
Edn1Onia.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.
By JANET CHRISTINE. SIT

rant about Percivale Bonney. In the
thoughts of Edmonia Turner, thoughts
which invariably formed the frowning
background to Percivale's waking
hours, he was discouragingly and mod
ernly inoffensive.
] She had once stated succinctly, as
was Edmonias way, that the only
| thing about him that remotely suggest
ed standing up for itself was the cow
| lick at the hack of n square and other
wise irreproachably groomed head
| The subject of this rather doubtful APP
prevail was secretly encouraged in the
belief that the cowlick indicated an
aggressive spirit which seemed to be
the heroic attribute in the imagination
of EdmOnia's set.
Edmonias family appreciative re-
mark had been inspired in her moth
er's attic during the rummaging of a
rain bound house party, wlen, upon
the discovery of an ancient coat or
mail, Percivale had pulled it out from
under the caves and had fallen speed
lily to calculating how many chain
dishcIoths it would have made for Mrs.
Turner's carefully ordered kitchen.
This was too much for Edmonia. A
man who could evolve diShcloths from
the fabric of romance must be lacking
in the most rudimentary instincts of
chivalry 1t counted for naught with
her that Percivale Bonney was evinc-
ing business ability that made his
father prouder every Cay or that she
had never had a rival in his loyal de-
votion to her.
She dreamed of the clash of armOr
and the risks of ioust and tourney,
knight who should perform feats of
arms for her sake and rescue her, if
need be, from tyrant's might. In the
free wholesomeness of American so
ciety the tyrant had not appeared,
and to do Edmonia justice she really
did care Il great deal for Percivale's
allegiance. only she desired a more
daring proof.
1t was therefore incumbent upon this
thoroughly consistent young lady that
she steel her heart against the pleas
ing picture which a tall broad Shout
dered. gray lad figure. hat off and
light hair tossing in the breeze, made
against a morning sky on the first day
of one of his erratic autunnal visits
near her country home.
She accordingly let her disdainful
glance dwell upon his Extensively rud-
dy cheek and ignored his unaffected
stare of establishment at her modern
equipage. a brilliantly red automobile
at standstill upon the country road.
What, no Rebeccar' he greeted her
when within speaking distance of
where she sat in the crimson ram
bier. Armed cap-a-pie I see! Is the
drawhridge DOWN."
Edmonia smiled tol2rantly and gave
him her hand
But why linger SO far from the
paternal castle? Has thy gentle pal
frey gone lame?"
Edmonia glanced suggestively back
along the highway. I'm waiting fer
friend" She said it With conviction.
The dusty road stretched i'll two long,
undertaking lines in either direction.
No one was in sight. Percival's gaze
abandoned its quest and returned sus-
piciously to the crimson rambler.
Gould l. he asked anxiously, figure
in that capacity?"
She REDEEMED in turn, then scanned
him critically. Perhaps" She was
still rather doubtful of his capabilities.
Mentally scOrring as inexcusable-a de-
votion to his business which had made
him hitherto ignore the automobile
craze, he fattened himself out after
The manner Of the ardent autOmObiliSt
under her car and confded his despair
70 her tOnneau.
1t was bad enough not to be roman
tic, but not to he even useful was I'M
bearable. He had not the slightest
idea of how to start the machine. He
crawIed out from under the machine
and mounted to the drivers seat.
Her sudden accession of trust, in
spired by his businesslike manner, pro-
voled him to fresh endeavOr. He made
a great show Of moving brakes, tight
ening useless screws and peering into
the machine while she scanned the
scenery.
Whatever he finally did to that auto
mobile to start it Percivale does not
know Suddenly it slid out of the
shade into the read like a bird from
under his hand. Aha" he cried, with
an assurance that he was far from
feeling. 81 thought sOr'
He held a trembling hand upon the
wheel and answered irrelevant ques-
tfons at regular intervals. They were
now gliding along between hedgerows
of gorgeous autumn color He began
to feel more at ease. EdmOnia hum
med a little sing as old as it was
sweet:
The rose that all are praising
Is not the rose for me.
He looked at her and i'll that look
forgot his new responsibility. She was
gazing steadily down the dusty turn
pike, a little smile upon her lips, as
though she would see the knight of
her dreams in plumed helmet and
shining armor riding to bear her away.
He couldn't catch u.s." said Perez
vale in response to her thought She
started and locked with more interest
nj ner companion. He had spoken III
the confidence that is born Of igno-
rance.
Say, Ted" ne continued, Il don't
know much about your flowers of
chiyalry.' | & mt even understand the
hrst thing alb ut an aut''- He caught
himself up. Ie positively would not
1ivulge this humiliating fact. He
vent on morn confidently: But you
are the rose Tor me, sure, Ted. You
must say you will marry me this
Time" he ended, with an air of des-
peration, "or TlP'-
The threat was not completed. In
the earnestness of his plea Percivale
had forgotten that he was running an
automobile for the first time in his
life. They were row going at ire
mendOus speed and every instant gath
ering momentum. Edmonia gripped
his arm as they lurched around
curve and bounced over a culvert
Hang on!' yelled Percivale as they |
approached slight descent. In his |