The Huttig news., 1910-08-27

her. l felt if she would help me to keep straight, that now. with her ia therA and my sister both dead. we might be happy together
 'I understand now what puzzled me then It seemed that my sister went into the next car and tried to make my wife promise not to interfere. But Ida-Mrs Suilivan-was firm, of course. She said her father had pa pers, certificates and so on, that would stop the marriage at once.
 "She said, also, that her father was in our car, and that there would be the mischief to pay in the morning It was probably when my sister tried to get the papers that he awakened and she had to do what she did
 It was over. Save for a technicality or two, I was a free man. Alison rose quietly and prepared to go; the men stood to let her pass, save Suli- van. who sat crouched in his chair, his face buried in his hands
 Mcknight saw her. with Mrs. Dal- las, to their carriage and came back again. The gathering ir the office was breaking up: Johnson had slipped away as unostentatiously as he came Sullivan, looking worn and old was standing by the window, staring at the broken necklace in his hand When he saw me watching him, he put 1t back on the desk and picked up his hat
 "If I cannot do anything more" he hesitated
 sI think you have done about enough" 1 replied grimly, and he went out
 1 believe that Richey and Hotchkiss led me somewhere to dinner and that. for fear l would be lonely without him. they sent for Johnson And I recall spirited discussion in which Hotchkiss told the detective that he could manage certain cases, but that | he lacked induction Richey and I were mainly silent My thoughts l would slip ahead to that hour. later in the evening, when I should see Alison again
 l dressed in savage haste finally | and was so particular about my tie that Mrs. Klopton gave up in despair
 'I wish until your arm is better that you would buy the kind that hooks on," she protested, almost tear fully. I'm sure they look very nice, Mir. Lawrence. j My late husband al ways-'
 That's lDver's knot you've tied this time l sDarled. and, jerking open the bow knot she had so painfully ex- eeuted. looked out of the window for Johnson-until I recalled that he no longer belonged in my perspective. I ended by driving frauticaSy to the club and getting George to do it.
 I was late. of coSrse The drawing room and library at the Dallas coun- try home was very empty I could hear billiard balls rolling somewhere and I turned the other way I found Ali son at last on the balcony, sitting much as she had that night on the beach-her chin. in her hands, her eyes fixed unseeingly on the trees and lights of the square acr,o oss. She was even whistling a little, softly But this time the plaintiveness was gone It was a tender little tune She did bot ihof Ct os Stoou Dt1olQe H6I, IOOh- ing down. And now, when the mo- ment had come. all the thousand and me things I had been waiting to say forsook me, precipitately beat a re- treat and left me unsupported. The arc-moon sent little fu ugitive lights over her hair, her eyes, her gown.
 "Don't-do that" I said unsteadily. "You-you know what I want to do when you whistlet"
 She glanced up at me and she dic not stop. Sire did not stop She went on whistliug softly. bit tremu. lously. And stuaightway I forgot the street. the chance of passersby, the voices in the house behind us. "The world doesn't hold anyone but you, l said. reveremtly. Tt is our world, sweetheart I love you"
 And I kissed her.
 A boy was whis1ing on the pave ment below. I let her go reluctantly and sat back where I could see her.
 "I haven't done this the way I in tended to at all" I confessed. tIn books they get things all settled and then kiss the lady"
 Settled?" she inquired.
 "Oh. about getting married and that sort oG thing" I explained with elaborate csrelessness. sWe-could go down to Bermuda-or-or Jamai ca, say in December"
 She drew hser hand away and faced me squarely.
 T believe you are afraid!" she de clared. '1 refnse to marry you unless you propose properly Everybody does it. And, it is a woman's privi- lege she wants to have that to look back to-
 Very we'll" I consented with an exaggerated sigh. "If you will prom ise not to thfnk look like an idiot, I shall do it, knee and all" had to pass her to close the door