The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-05

tnem hjth UUcct'l AMI OSCILLATIONS.
Besides, crop It as you might, his hair
irOgid assume tLe appearance Of a
mop.
They camc round q corner TO see
two figures coming towards them,
eighty yards away.
It's Mum" said Ercbus
Quick MS thought the Terror dropped
behind her. Slipped off the bag Of
booty. and thrust it into u gorsc-bush.
"And-aud--it's the Crmrhgr with
herr cried Ercbus in tone IN which
disgust outWng surprise.
"Of all the sicliening things! Tho
Cruncher!" cried the Terror, cchoing
her disgust. whats he come down
again for?'
They paused; then went ON their
way with gloomy faces to meet the
approaching pair.
Tho gentleman whom they called the
Cruncher who had so plainly failed to
win their young hearts. was Captain
Baster Of the seth lIussars; and they
called him the Cruncher on account Of
the vigor with which he piled his
large. white, prominent teeth
They had not gone five yards when
Virgins said, 81 know why he's come
down. Hes 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 n silly thing
like that?" cried Erebus.
81 didn't say IT, protested Virgins
Mrs. Blenknsop said IT,"
"That silly old gossip" cried Ere
bus.
And Mrs. Morton, too" said Wig
gins. They came 60 ten yesterday and
talked about IL. / was there. They
said it would be n good thing for you
because he's so awfully rich the Ter
ror would 60 TO EtOn; and you'd get
q proper bringing UP. But they didn't
seem TO think your mother would like
doing it much"
Like IL? She wouldn't dream Of
it---a bounder like that" cried the
Terror
81 don't know don't know-she'd
do anything for us--you know shc
would" said Erebus, wrinsing her
hands In anxious fear
Tho Terror stuck his hands in his
pockets, frown on his flushed face:
through his clenched teeth.
"Rm how?" said Erebus.
"We'll find way. It's war 90
snapped the Terror
Virgins spurned the earth: "I'm on
your side" he said. I'm trusty
ally"
Come on said the Terror. WED
better face him
They walked firmly TO meet the de.
tested enemy As they drcw near. the
Ierror's face recovered its 1awless Sc
rcnity; hut Erebus was scowllng still.
From twenty yards away Captain
Baster greeted them In rich. hearty
voice: "llow's Terebus and the Error ;
and how's FrecklesY he cried. and
laughed heartily at his own delightful
humur.
The Twins greeted him with n cold,
almost murderous pollteness; Virgins
shook hands with Mrs. DAngerfield
very warmly
I'm always pleased to see you with
the Twins" she said with her delight
ful smile. 81 know you keep them ont
of mischief"
ITS generally all over before I
come said Virgins somewhat sadly ;
ana Of n sudden It occurred TO him to
spurn the earth.
"I've not had that kiss yet, Terebus,
I'm going 10 hnvc II this time I'm
here" said Captain Baster playfully ;
and he laughed his rich laugh
"Aro youT' snarled Erebus. looking
at him with the eyes Of hate
They turned and Mrs. Dangerfed
said. you'll come to tea with us,
WlgglnsT
"Fhank You very much" said Wig
gins: and he spurncd the earth. As
he alighted on II once more he added ;
''rea at other peoples houses Is so
much nicer than mt home. Don't you
think so, Terror"
81 always eat more-somehOw," said
the Terror with n grave smile.
They walked slowly across the COM
mon, protecting twin on either side
Of Mrs Dangerfed; and Captain Bas,
ter. In the STRONG, facetlOus vein. en-
llvened the walk with his delightful
humOr.
All the way to Colet House he main.
tained n gay, facetlous flow of per
sOnal talk which made Erebus grind
her teeth now ana again suffused the
face of Virgins with flush Of NOR
tihcatiOn that dimmed his freckles, and
wrinkled Mrs. Dangeriield's white brow
with distressful frown. The Terror
serene impassiye, gave no heed 10
him; his mind was hard at work on
this sudden and very serious problem
More than once Erebus cOuntered with
a sharp retort, but with none sharp
enough to pierce the rhnOcerine skin
of the gallant officer. Once this un
bldden. but voluble guest was under
their roof, even this relief was denied
her. She could only treat him with q
steely ciyility. II did not check the
flow of his wit All through tea he
went ON shining aud shining; NJ the
end of II his luster was for II while
dlmmed 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
tumn evening with their souls seeth
Ing.
"IIe's horror! He's impossible
We curt LET Mum marry hlm! w,
must stop IL" cried Erebus.