The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-04
BY SUSANNA GLENN.

Copyright. 1911. by Associated Liter
airy Press.)
Miss Van Doren. will you marry
me?" The young man looked at her
with strange indifference, considering
the question he asked.
Then. as she remained silent, he sud-
denly wheeled about and took her two
hands in his.
ooh, see here, this isn't fair to you!
i kEow what you are going to say;
and II simply shifts the responsibility
to your shoulders. But, you see, they
wheedled me into a promise that /
would ask you. on the grounds that
1t was a personal slight not to do so
under the circumstances. Now that !
have asked you, and you have said"
NO." she supplanted. with frank
smile,
why, 1t simply leaves the whole
blame with me. Believe me, / did not
see that side OF II when l spoke, Miss
Van Doren."
II am sure you did not"
II cannot understand why parents
need interfere In these matters!" he
added gloomily. neglecting to release
the hands he held. I'VE are mere
strangers to each other. how can
they expect us TO consider such a
proposition"
besides answered the girl very
gently, there Is another mani
by Jove, do you mean itY' cried
Leon Halcott, crushing her hands in
a sudden friendly grasp. why. to
tell you the truth. there is a girl, too!
That was what made 1t seem SO i'm
possible. But If we tell them this.
there'il be no end of row."
But what can We dof' asked Doris
Van Doren with troubled frown. IN
she gently drew away her hands.
You've no idea how determined my
father can be when he chooses"
Halcott moved two chairs out of the
arbor, and they sat down in silence.
See here" he said at last. leaning
toward her. where is this young man p
Europe" she answered laconicslly
same with the girl" he nodded
There Is no definite understanding p
The girl shook her head.
This being the case" he continued
~I've thought of plan. Suppose we
become engaged? 1t will satisfy the
heads of the house. Then, when the
others return, we will simultaneously
discover our mistake, and break the
engagement. They cannot then say
we were not dutifui; surely they will
not insist upon lifetime of unhappi-
ness for VS."
You are sure II will be all right
"wfpt can be wrong? Engagements
are broken every day! We will re-
quest that this be kept a family affair
for q few weeks
IF we simply kick out from the
start without giving their plan a trial
an angel with golden halo would
not satisfy them. and wen simply be
putting ourselves In for no end OF
trouble. We have to spend the sum
Iner here together. and we may as well
xnend il engaged"
Very WELL" agreed tho girl, rising
I'VE are engaged There now re-
mains to you tho ordeal OF asking
papa"
"But surely you are not going In Miss
Doris, Wouldn't that be rather re
markahle under the circumstances. and
on such an evening? We will walk In
the garden. IL you will. and then so In
and break the news
The moonlit garden was a midsummer
dream, and they ioitered indefinitely
Then they went back to the lighted
house TO receive their blessing"
AT the foot OF the stairs. Halcott kiss
cd her fingers as he babe her good
night. For the special benefit of the
family" he murmured.
Next evening he asked her again "a
walk In the garden. Beneath the Sc.
cluded arbor. he drew from his pocket
u little box, and something sparkled In
the moonlight.
At the girls exclamation of astonish-
ment, he said with the slightest hint
bf injury:
.But surely you expected me to give
you ring. Doris"
ut seems very strange" she In
sisted But she let him slip the ring