The Press., 1912-03-27
more pressed his finger tips together.

more pressed his finger tips together.
 Airline is down at our place at Belle Point. It's straightaway road keep each other in sight part of the way at least until one outdistances the other Hicks, you jump into your monoplane, and Avery will get into his automobile, and away you go, and the first one that reaches Belle Point and sees my daughter may wed her, pro- vided she hasn't changed her mind since referring you to me-
 "Doner' cried Hicks, rising and care fully adjusting his woolen cap. My machines out at Fern park, and can be away in a half hour.''
 My car is downstairs, and I'll take you out to Fern park and start from there." And Frank Avery arose and held out his hand to Arline's father Will you not come down and see us off. sir?"
 Sorry, boys, but I can't" returned the mill owner hastily. ''Got another interview on my hands now. Good luck to both of your
 Thanks! GOodby, father-in-laww said Joe Hicks boldly as he gripped Peddington's hand.
 "Goodby. Father Peddington.' was Avery's significant farewell.
 You are good sports," said the elder man kindly. '"Take good care of yourselves. You ought to make the twenty-five miles in pretty short or der. Wire me the result" He waved them away. and after they had slam- med the the outer door behind them he picked up his desk telephone and then hastily set it down again.
 ''I'd like to warn her; but, no. It wouldn't be playing fair, and the witch deserves the embarrassment after playing them off on me like that. But why in thunder should those two idiots want to marry girl who openly tells them she doesn't love them, but will marry them if commanded to? Where is their good American blood?"
 of you please. MT. Peddington," said crisp voice from the doorway, i've been waiting some time. Per haps you can see me now"
 The open doorway framed the well knit. compact figure and plain face of the plain young man. He carried his panama hat under his arm, and when you looked at him and saw his eyes you would declare that they would beautify any face, so bright and blue and true were they.
 "Come in,'' said MT. Peddington courteously. And when the visitor had seated himself the mill owner said, You are Russell Osgood. the architect who planned my Belle Point place. aren't your"
 Russell Osgood smiled at Silas Ped dington's tone. He had met the mill owner a hundred times since then, and they were on friendly terms, yet now his tone was distinctly anxious.
 II am all that and more now" he said clearly. ''I'm your son-in law, MT. Peddingtonv'
 hy-what-when?" gasped MT. Peddington. sitting up very straight in his chair.
 Because Airline and I were married
  stairs in taxi. told her you would come down and give us your blessing. You always liked me, you know!"
 'T did" breathed MT. Peddington helplessly, land do now. I'd rather have you for a son-in-law than any other man I know. Yes, mean it. You're the right sort, Russell. Pm mighty glad you got married this way. Weddings always made me nervous almost to hysteria. Fact, son, though don't look it, and ever since Arline's been grown up I've had her wedding hanging over me like nightmare. So she's downstairs, eh, waiting for my blessing? Wait till write check to go with it." He Tapped out a check book and in his big, square handwrit- ing drew check of four figures. 'You will want a honeymoon, of course?"
 We're going np to New Brunswick" explained the bridegroom in the same quiet self contained manner that had already won MT. Peddington's admira- ton.
 As they reached the outer door Silas HeuuAASloA uIleIeO d SAdHp eACIdWd- lion. By love, what about those two chaps who are racing out to Belle Point for Arline's hand? Gee. can't face them when they come back and find she's married to you. Russellw
 Better come with us on our honey moon." urged his son-in-law.
 'I will!' ejaculated Silas Peddington. And, thrusting his head within another office. he said briskly, to the utter mys- of his clerical force:
 9TH wire any instructions I may have concerning the business. I'm suddenly called away on a honey moon."