Evening star., 1912-11-10


Alice.
"To Cuba" explained Tommy, and he
clambered back up in the oak tree.
young man, do | understand that you
are about to travel?" inquired Mr.. Custer.
IF so, you will need insurance"
Il didn't kn CIV it was to be so soon, called
Alice, from the beech.
go away, you orute!" how1ed Meredith
lunging hastily forward.
Il just got telegram, answered Tommy.
"You've won your promotion, then:
guessed Father Boggs.
How long will you be gone, Tommy
inquired Alice wistfully.
Il say, did you get your prornot,on:" re-
peated Father Boggs impatiently. 1t made
him furious to be ignored.
"Sx months, think, replied Tommy to
the inquiry from the beech.
"Then we sha'nt see much of you?" hope
fully surrnised Mother Boggs, who was a
strong partizan of young Merediths. He
came of such nice family!
"Young man, what is your age at your
nearest birthday?" called Mr.. Custer from
his seat above Father Boggs, and he opened
his red book at another page.
| "Of course | had to see you before left,
explained Tommy. II must have a few
minutes talk with you, Alice. Please let me
| put CnlS QOS out Ol TIE IOdu!
Get out, you brute!' yelled Meredith.
| "Now's your chance, Tommy"
"Don't leave your tree, Tommy" COM
manded Alice. "Was it something particu-
lar?7
1--WE have special travellers policy in the
| Colonial Insurance Company which | should
like to explain to you," inslnuated Mr..
Custer.
@Don't wiggle so!' snapped Father to the
enthusiast above him. "Tommy, did you
get that promotion?"
at was very particular, Alice" answered
Tommy, looking at his watch. "Great
Scott! haven't minute to monkey! Alice,
will you marry me-"
WIELL, of all things!" gasped Mother,
w from her apple tree.
"Tommy!" exclaimed Alice, from her
beech, and turned the rosy red of embarrass-
ment.
"Wait a minute, Alice" urged young
Meredith, reaching out one hand imploring-
ly, and taking an unexpected spin round his
cedar top to regain his balance. Before you
answer that question, l wish you to know
that l have long loved you devotedly.'
| "This is no time for such conversation, .
objected Father vigorously. @In the first
place, my daughter is not ready for marriage;
in the second place, do not think either OF
you young men qualified. You are neither
one able to support my daughter in the style
to which she is accustomed"
| Il have more money and better prospects
than you had at my age Tommy called
down from his oak.
3The impudence!" said Mother.
| 4Well, it's so," defended Alice from the
beech.
| "There are social advantages to be con-
sidered.' urged Meredith, from his weaken
ing cedar top, and paused to kick at the
dog: =.
| ave must consider Alice's social future,
Father" argued Mother, from the apple
| tree.
"You can't eat it or wear it!' growled
Father, from the maple. He had his own
opinion of the Meredith family. There
wasn't single good business man among
| them.
| young man, you cannot conscientiously
contemplate matrimony without proper
provision for DEATH" interpolated Mr.. Gus
ter, from the maple. u have here foun-
tain pen"
"Holy smoke!" yelled Father, as the little
branch under Mr.. Clusters left leg split off
and crashed down on him. 1t crushed few
ants; but this was small satisfaction. His
terror was in no degree 1essened by the fact
that the mad dog was Immediately on the
/