The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1911-05-25

b ELIZABETH wARRENToN in MeCan,s Magazine.

at CnaI early lOur. InES were all
strangers to her, mostly summer peo-
pie who had been spending d vaca-
ton among the hills of SandersIown.
Presently she was startled IL See
through the window a carriage con
tanning Judge Caswell and his son
drive up to the station platform.
The Judge quickly climbed out shook
hands with his son, who Immediately
drove away, and then came into the
waiting room. Mrs. Benner's first
thought was that he had heard of her
intended departure and had come tn
ask for an explanation, but as ne
walked straight to the ticket Office
without a glance at the people assem-
bled in the station, it was evident he
did not know she was there.
What shall / do?" she. thought
What can / say to him?' Then sud
denly, as she remembered his visit
of the day before, But where in the
world can he be going"
The Judge procured his ticket and
started to go out to the station plat,
form, but just as he reached the door,
some impulse caused him to turn,
and he found himself looking straight
into the eyes of Mrs. Bennet, who
was watching him from ner corner.
For an instant he hesitated, seemed
embarrassed, while she in turn,
blushed in a confused way.
What does this mean, Aggie::" he
said, using the lame that she had 50
seldom heard since her girlhood.
"Is anybody sick that you are going
away so early?"
81 was just wondering the same
thing about you, Richard" she re-
piled. isn't this a sudden start?"
well, rather; o see my son
Robert"
"Oh!" The m~onosyllable was very
expressive as it fell from Mrs. Ben
ner's lips. "I see. Because my
daughter Mary"
The Judge turned and looked full
at his companions face. A sudden
illumination had come to him. "Did
your daughter Mary tell you yester-
day that we were a couple of fools?'
he asked grimly.
We'll, something like that" Mrs.
Benner admitted.
did she say that we were both SO
set in our ways that we coould never
1 stand it to marry at our age?"
Mrs. Benner nodded.
did she say that if we were lonely
we had only to accept the good homes
offered to US by our children?"
"Yes!"
"And that if you went away for a
little while, you would come to your
senses and think about the matter as
she does?' 22.'@t
"She did"
Him! So did my son Robert
And I was fool enough to listen tc
him and to think perhaps, because
am not so young as 1 used to be, tina
7 must live out the rest of my life IL
single loneliness, Aggie." The Judge
gave a quick glance around, but al
was busy waiting for the belateC
train and no thought for the little TO
nance working itself out befor'
them. So he put out his hand an
covered the small, black-glooved on,
resting on Mrs. Benner's traveiin:
baag. "Aggie, perhaps we can't be a
happy as we might have been fort.
years ago-that was a mistake beyont
our undoing now-but / know we CA
be happier together than alone O.
living with our children, and l wan
to try it, will your" Then he ben
down and spoke a few words so Low
that she could barely catch them, bu
when she looked up her eyes wert
full of happy tears.
my son Robert is going to you.
house." continued the Judge present
ly, ito explain my absence, and b,
will find your daughter Mary waiting
to receive me. They will congratu
late themselves at first on havins
arranged matters so ~cleverly, the1
suddenly it will occur to them tina
we went on the same train, and the.
will not only be scandaliZed at thu
improperly, but also they will b.
anxious about the consequences
They will realize that they have fore
de an elopement upon u.s."
AN ~eloopement! At our age
That is really ridiculous"
II know" replied the Judge calmly
"'That comes of following the advic,
Of our children. l really don't Sc,
leave you to face Mary alone, and
should neve dare to see Robert agail
without the support of your comfort
ing presence"
Mrs. Benner laughed. at doe
ocSn SHY, UuL IL we are lOO1S any
/ way"
Exactly! We must live up to GU
reputation. Well be married as 500,
as we reach the city and then sen
a telegram to our anxious families
Do you suppose they'll forgive u
: and take us back?"
They'll have to make the best O
it," said Mrs. Benner as they wen
out to meet the train that had at las
arrived; "at any rate, if we are to
; gether-"the mischief and spark
suddenly died out other eyes as sh
t spoke the word, and a tender ligh
made her face radiant as she locke,
, up at the Judge.
eyes, dear heart" he answered
quick to respond to her change o
t mood; together we can bear all!
and under cover Of the many fare
; wells af tho station ho kioSod bor