The Marshall republican., 1911-01-20

he was acting for B~rancepethis Inter.
ests a. we'll In interfering, since Il
had been true enough that the lad was
so placed that he could not well afford
to offend his uncle. Chiltern 10 a nne
fellow. all right. but he's a good deal
older than ! am. and q conservative In
private life as well az public. But In
spite Of his tendency to preach, and an
obnoxious habit Of expecting everyone
to toe the mark as vigorously as be
does himself. I rather like the old cock
He's deuced popular with men, certain.
ly. and is unanimously returned by his
borough every election. And then. as
another excuse for what might other.
wise seem his uncalled for interior.
ence In this affair. I rather think he
fancied he was doing Dearest and my.
self a kindness in informing US OF the
true inwardness Of the situation, tina,
we might at least be able to act with
BUR eyes open. That he meant well. I
felt no doubt
Nevertheless. ! could see that the
part of informant was distasteful to his
wife. who. in all probability, had been
the means Of delaying execution OF
that duty no long.
These things having become clear to
us. We also perceived that the Hon.
Cecil Chiltern could not possibly be
aware Of that mornings events. the
elopement Of Miss simpiin aud conse.
quent sanction Of ~Brancepeth's uncle
upon his marriage with Agatha First.
So, with n voice and mind, we un
dertook to enlighten him. Brancepeth
and Miss Endicott having srasped the
object OF his visit on the moment Of his
arrival.
7 feel II my duty" Chiltern began
again. then paused. lie seemed to have
dificulty In proceeding. with all our
,stonishcd tidingful eyes upon him. but
We let him get no further.
sit DOWN." cried B~rancepeth and L.
While Agatha First waved her napkin
Ut the pair enthusiastically.
ITS all right! Don't worry. Have
some lunch, do. Cecil. old boy. You
look done!" added young Murray cor.
daily. And II was q rippin' hot day,
too.
But Cecil was o to be beguiied.
u feel II my duty" he reiterated
manfully. But Wa would have none.
of Il at all.
oh. hang your duty" urged Brance
peth. lightly. It's all right, I tell you.
We're gong to be married, Miss End.
colt and l."
Miss simplin eloped this morning"
supplemented Agatha First.
And my uncle has given us his
blessing" finished ~Brancepeth. And at
this astounding intelligence Chiltern
succumbed entirely and was as clay In
our hands.
SEEKING him each under an arm We
had him sitting at the table In 20 time.
B~rancepeth was even solicitously tuck.
Ing q napkin under the dignined gen.
tleman's chin when he came to and
pushed him aside with q frown.
Take that thing away" he said;
I'm not q child!"
Then he caught his wife's y as
Agatha Fourth. very beautiful In a pale
blue outfit ~placarded down the middle
with lace. was graciously allowing
Dearest and Agatha First to seat her
at the table. and they laughed-the two
Of them-Agatha Fourth ~relievedly.
Chiltern a trife shamefacedly.
1t seems my fervor OF duty was
quite wasted" he said. But, upon my
word. l meant well. Mrs. Chiltern and
did our best to persuade Miss Endi
colt. there. to give the thing up long
ago. until matters arranged them.
selves. But she was very headstrong,
very indeed" And he shook his head
whimstcally at his late guest and
smiled. She smiled back at him.
And you see 1t didn't do any harm
after ALL" she told him brightly, my
being headstrong. Everything has all
worked out for the best!"
"Ratheri" remarked Br~ancepeth, ard.
entity, and threw her a glance that
made her fine color rise.
Harmony having thus delightfully."- be
come the guest Of honor At our I'm
promptu luncheon party, the company
proceeded to grow a very merry one.
For myself. I never felt more bril-.
liant, and B~rancepeth We'd with me In
getting up would-he humorous tele-
grams. Arst to Tsrhune's Aunt Georgy.
and then 10 Miss simplin. apprisipg
them q The bsatine state a. the matrt.
monial prospects Of himself and Arch.
sItsa pity tAsy can't BE- here to
sAase IN The ~ which has been the a.
~ rssult q tAsir AanAfwt said
yoong Murray, - who0. ana 10 his
Aaneee, We - eonA6sd ~ ssntimsn-
~ eetust1oa bstvsen TsrAuns and
A>Aha DAuAh