Arizona republican., 1911-12-06

two figures coming towards them
eighty yards away.
Its Num-" said Erebus.
Quick as thought the Terror dropped
behind her. slipped off the bag OF
booty. and thrust il into a gOrse-bush
| 'And-and-it's the Cruncher witt
her." cried Erebus in tone in which
disgust outrang surprise.
| "Of all the sickening things, The
| Cruncher - cried the Terror. echOins
her disgust. What's he come down
again for?"
They paused; then went on theil
way with gloomy faces to meet the
| approaching pair.
| The gentleman whom they called the
Cruncher. who had so plainly failed tc
win their young hearts, was Captain
Baster OF the seth Hussars; and they
allied him the Cruncher on account OF
the vigor with which he piled hi:
large. white, prominent teeth.
| They had not gone five yards when
| Virgins said, II know why he's come
down. He's come to marry your
mother"
WHAT cried the Twins with one
voice. one look OF blank CONSERVATION
and they stopped short.
| How dare you say q silly thing
| like that" cried Erebus.
Il didn't say it," protested Virgins
Mrs. BlenkinsOp said it,"
That silly old gossip" cried Ere.
bus
And Mrs. Morton. too" said Wig.
gins. They came TO tea yesterday and
talkei about il. | WAS there. They
said it would he a good thing for you
because he's so awfully rich: the Ter
ror would 60 to Eton: and you'd get
a proper bringing up. But they didn't
seem 10 think your mother would like
doing il much"
Like it? She wouldn't dream OF
it-a bounder like that cried the
Terror
Il don't know don't know-she d
do anything for us-you know she
would" said Erebus, wringing her
hands in anxious fear
The Terror stuck his hands in his
pockets. frown on his flushed face:
This must he stopped he said
through his clenched teeth.
But how said Erebus.
Well find way. It's war;
snapped the Terror.
Virgins spurned the earth: I'm on
your side" he said. I'm a trusty
ally"
Come on" said the Terror. Wed
better face him
They walked firmly to meet the de-
tested enemy. As they drew near. the
Terror's face recovered its fiawless So
renity: but Erebus was ScOwling still
From twenty yards away Captain
Baster greeted them in rich. hearty
voice: flows Terebus and the Error /:
and how's Freckles:" he cried and
laughed heartily at his own delightful
humOr
The Twins greeted him with cold
almost murderous poiiteness: Wiggins
shook hands with Mrs. Dangerfield
very warmly.
I'm always pleased 10 see you with
the Twins" she said with her delight
full smile. Il know you keep them ont
Of mischief"
IFS generally all over before
come" said Virgins somewhat sadly
and of = sudden it occurred to him to
spurn the earth.
re not had that kiss yet. Tcrebus
I'm going TO have it this time I'm
here" said Captain Baster playfuIly
and he laughed his rich laugh
"Irc you:" snarled Erebus looking
at him with the eyes OF hate.
They turned: and Mrs. Dangerfield
said. You'll come to tea with us.
Wiggins:'
Thank You very much" said Wig
,ins; and he spurned the earth. As
he alighted on 1t once more. he added
Tea at other peoples houses is 81
much nicer than at home. Don't you
think SO. Terror"
Il always eat more--Somnhcw.' saiG
the Terror with grave smile
They walled slowly across the com
mon. projecting twin on either side
IF Mrs. Dangerfeld and Captain Bias
ter. in the strong. facetious vein. on
livened the walk with his delightful
humor
All the way t. ;'olet House he main
tanned a gay. facetious flow Of per
sonaI talk which made Erebus grind
her teeth. now and again suffused the
face of Virgins with Il flush OF NOR
tification that dimmed his freckles and
xrinllled Mrs. Dangerfield's white brow
with a distressful frown. The Terror
serene. impassiye. gave no heed t.
him: his mind was hard at work Oh
this sudden and very serious problem
More than once Erebus countered witt
sharp retort. but with none sharI
enough to pierce the rhinocerine skin
OF the gallant officer. Once this I'M
hidden. but voluble. guest was under
their roof. even this relief was denied
her. She could only treat him with
steely civility. 1t did not check the
flow o. his wit All through tea he
went on shining and shining: at the
end - = his luster was for while
dimmod by the discovery that he had
left his cigarette case at the inn and
there were no cigarettes in the house.
But presently he was shining again.
The Twins and Virgins rose and re-
tired firmly.
They came out into the calm au-
t,lmn evening with their souls seeth-
ing.
Hes horror. He's impossible.
We can't let Mum marry him. We
must stop :" cried Erebus.
Its all very well to say must
But you know what Mum is If she
thinks q thing is for our good. do 1t
she WILL" said the Terror gloomily.
And she never cOnsults us
never,' cried Erebus.
Only when she's hit doubtful"
said the Terror.