The Van Buren press., 1912-07-06

III so Slau you get on wen to-
gether." Evelyn replied, softly. "Roys
pleased, too. He has accepted the
canal appointment, and We want to
be married by the end OF the month
so as to sail on the 5th."
Leave it entirely to me, child"
urged the judge, kindly. Il will pre-
pare her for the shock, and fix things
so there shall not be the slightest
unpleasantness. She looks like
woman you can reason with, wom-
an Of sense, by gad."
So the two went quietly ahead with
the wedding preparations, and the
Judge kept to his part OF the bargain.
He showed Miss lie Moyne the city
assiduously. He took her to the
theaters and to concerts. He mo-
tored with her to all points OF In
terest.
What a delightful old cavalier he
is Diane told Roy. 1T is fortunate
his being able to take me around, or
know | should have been lonely.
with you so very busy. Roy, dear"
Roy's conscience gave an annoy.
ing twinge. He had spent every
spare moment with Evelyn.
Aunt Diane, do you believe in
love?" he asked awkwardly, leaning
over her chair, and stroking the
beautiful gray hair.
why, boy dear, you may as well
ask If believe in life or truth"
But you've never loved, have you
mean so everything else just slipped
back into perspective and left only
yourself and one other?"
mot exactly" said Miss lie Moyne,
gently.
so the whole world would look
dark If you knew you'd never see
them again? persisted Roy.
rs 1t that way with your" She
turned her head up to him, her clear
eyes searching his own Roy bent
his head and kissed her cheek.
You've been awfully good to me,
Aunt Diane"
Have |, boy? Maybe have been
selfish, too"
That was all she said, and Roy let
it drop. The wedding was only a
week off now. That evening the Judge
was to be host They motored out
along the shore to beach hotel. The
balcony where dinner was served
seemed to overhang the rocks and
beating waves. A youthful moon
cleaned in the south, silver bright
against a green-gold sky Roy and
Evelyn leaned over the balcony rail.
ing after dinner, so as to give the
judge his chance Tor a confidential
tete-a-tete II was to be surely settled
tonight, he had promised them. Once
or twice they looked cautiously back
at the couple. Diane was listening in
silence, her fingers tritling with the
rose petals on the tablecloth before
her. The Judge seemed to be talking
very earnestly very forcibly Once
he even reached over and covered the
trifling fingertips with his own hands
and she did not withdraw them.
He's such an old brick to do all
this for u.s. whispered Roy, slipping
one arm tenderly around Evelyn.
Wen never forget 1t, Will we, sweet
heart?'
Il think they'll be good friends
too, even after she finds out that II
was a sort of put up affair She's Sc
sensible, and broadminded.
ITS over, hush." warned Roy, as
the two rose slowly, and strolled to
wards them, Brace yourself for the
inevitable, grille"
They waited, The Judge looked
very well satisfied with himself. Miss
Diane was smiling slightly, her face
raised towards that young silver OF o
moon.
children began the Judge, hap
PLY, ut is with the deepest feelings
OF happiness and pride that am
able to announce to you Miss DANES
consent"
"Oh, you darling exclaimed Eve
lyn, the tears springing to her blue
eyes, And you won't mind Roy's
marrying me n bit. even II he IN 80
youngH"
"Roys marrying" exclaimed Diane
sudden light leaping TO her eyes
She turned and looked up at the
Judge.
God bless my heart" he gasped,
II forgot all about you, Roy! /
asked for myself. Diane and arc
to be married as soon as my fair lady
says"
Cant you come down TO Perez for
the honeymoon, Uncle OTIS" sug
gested Evelyn mischieyously. WED
love to have you, Roy and l."
Landed Him.