The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-09-20

but his surprise at this frank intro
duction was as nothing compared
with his surprise at the remarks she
went on to make.
Audrey has told me everything !"
said she boldly.
Michael eyed her suspiciously and
his spirits seemed, If anything, to
sink.
"Oh, she has, has she? How fright
fully interesting for you!"
Il want to help you" said Tor
mentilla candidly. She was, in fact,
dying to. Il can assure you that /
can help you, If you'll only give me
the chance
No one on Gods earth can help
me now he remarked with bitter
| gloom, and TormentilIa felt as If she
could have shaken him for the way
he revealed in this certainty.
ION the contrary" she said brisk
| ly. II can, if you'll only behave like
a man, instead of nlaundering
poet
At last she had succeeded in rous-
ing his interest, it seemed
"Can your he said. lyon seem
quite enthusiastic about us. I won
der why"
There's only one way open to you
now. " Her passion for getting to the
horses had taken the bit in its teeth
now
"And what ways that?" He re-
| garded her suspiciously as he spoke.
THE way of Gretna Green!" she
cried magnificently. The announce
ment appeared to deprive him OF
breath for few minutes.
The way of what?" The horror in
his tone was refreshing.
"Gretna Green. Why don't you
carry her of and marry her? That
was the way you woed your wife in
the youth of the world. How changed
men are! Elope!"
II never thought of that" he ad-
mitted truthfully. ''By George!"
isn't it time you did think of it,
them" she asked in an exasperated
tone. "Oh, If were MANI
"You might feel quite different
about it If you were." he suggested
brilliantly. @You never know. YOU
forget that haven't penny in the
world. It's minor detail, but
still
What does that matter cried
Tormentilla heartily, s'if you love
each other? Besides, her father has
enough for you both. He'll have to
keep you both, of course, if he's put
to it. And he'd be sure to find you
some work to do then"
Would he, do you Think" Was
it mistake on her part to think that
he regarded this possibility with dis
| favor? "But even then"
"Oh, don't be SO PRUDENT" cried
the girl "It's always a hopelessly
unbecoming virtue, especially in a
lover. can lay my hands on a hun
dred pounds, which I'll lend you with
pleasure If you'll only buck up"
"Can you, indeed?" His voice was
full Of frank envy.
Il shall love to lend you a helping
hand Tormentilla cried eagerly.
She looked very jolly, he thought, as
she stood there, her red lips parted
her brown hair flung over her shout
ders.
TITS awfully good of you" said he,
much fattered. I'm sure I don't de-
serve such.
Il would help any lovers" Tor
mentilla said earnestly, ito take their
fate into their own hands. adore
courage, and you must put up with
poverty at first for each others sake.
Think Of Audrey in dear little cot
tage, with roses climbing UP the walls
and nodding through the windows.
It's beautiful idea, love in cot
tage. Think of it"
He did think of it, yet obviously
the rapturous thought seemed to give
him very little pleasure,
Roses creeping through the win
dow, and poverty bursting through
the door," said he sadly
Bread and cheese and kisses!,'
cried she to encourage him.
Water coming through the roof
and rats in the cellar" said he
"Oh, / do wish you wouldn't talk
like an old woman." Tormentilla was
gettin impatient, and quick action
was essential in this new and exciting
game. II never met any one less
less ardent. Run away with Audrey
and carry her off and marry her, like
a man. Hire position and a post
chaise and everything necessary, and
then come home and face the music
and Audrey's father like soldier
and a gentleman"
by George!" Poor Michael ruff
fed his hair in amazemeht. seThe
girl must be crazy
tBoshi" cried TormentiIIa in her
breezy way. f1'll help you--I'll
show you the way. Look upon me
as the turning-point of your lives.
It's at this moment of your eventful
career, you see. that Pippa passes
IF you fling Browning at my
head" said the wretched youth, ION
the top OF everything else, / shall 60
mad. came out here to avoid the
Browning society"
So did l., she cried gleefuIly.
That ought to be bond. Browning
bores me And Mr.. Bromsgrove gets
on my nerves. Shake hands on it.''
Solemnly he shook hands. and it
was at that moment that bag scarlet
motor-car grunted unexpectedly down
fba Ifffln fane +<>rrnu5r $780, mn -.