The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1913-10-03

address,, he finished, handing the
chauffeur a scribbled card.
1t was nearing one when the taxi
stopped at the uptown address. Peter
alighted, paid the chauffeur, gathered
up from the seat huge box of candy
and large box of orchids, mounted
the steps and rang the bell.
He waited in the subdued light of
the hall until he heard the patter of
light footsteps on the polished stairs.
"Peterl" cried the girl, running up
to him and catching his arm playfully,
ut was threel Don't you remember?"
Peter seemed about to catch her in
his arms, then suddenly his lips set
and he stepped pace away from her.
He was still smiling, but 1t wasn't
cheerful-that smile.
You see," said he, II have brought
you the answer instead of waiting for
1t. It wouldn't do, dear-never in the
world. 1t would be a frightful mis-
take I've just realized it. I'm going
away-to Mexico tomorrow, and-and
say, here's some of those fuzzy
chocolates and box of Orchids" he
ended rather painfully.
The girl made no move to take
either Of the boxes he had caught up
and was holding up to her. She was
looking at him curiously.
"You see," he began, after an ex-
ceedingly awkward pause, you see,
I've just come to my senses. All those
doubts of yours were right. 1t
wouldn't do-we'd never be happy.
I'll just hike out and leave the field
to better man and"
"Peter!" The single word came 80
sharply that he stopped short.
you've asked me to marry you.
You were coming here this afternoon
for your answer. It's to late to hedge.
I've decided l will marry you'll"
Dear suffering saints!" gasped Pc
ter and dropped both the boxes with
crash.
Twice he opened his mouth as If to
speak, but the words would not come.
When they did come, at last, they
were hurried, garbled, like the words
of man in a panic.
"Oh, you can't" he said. You
can't. tell you 1t won't do.
shouldn't have asked you. 1 made
mistake. l."
She looked at him narrowly.
"Why?" said she very calmly. She
seemed to be enjoying immensely his
discontinue.
well, IL" Peter began to STAN
mer.
Another girl?" she questioned
softly.
Peter clutched at straws. "Yes,
that's it, another girl" he declared
shamelessly.
She began to laugh. Peter felt yet
more uncomfortable.
You'll have to forget her." said
she. We're going to be married-be-
fore you go to Mexico tomorrow"
Say. look here, Edith" Peter said
vehemently. I'VE can't. tell you"
She stepped close to him. She put
both hands on his shoulders. She
was looking up at him with shining
eyes. Peter, at the sight of her thus,
groaned aloud
you are telling me anything but
the TRUTH" said she. Il happen to
know the whole truth. l know your
money is all gone, save five hundred
dollars or so. Mr.. Grayson was din
ing here with us last night. He told
father. And father said: That's the
best thing that ever happened to the
young scamp. Peters got the stuff
In him. 1t will be the making OF him
that and the right woman And l
am she, Peter, the right woman
know It'd have known 1t If dad
hadn't winked at me when he said
what he did. I'm going down there
to Mexico with you to help you man
age Billy Kenmore's mine. Yes, l
am; don't say word. You just
march those orchids straight back to
JOHNS, and take that candy back to
McPhair's and tell them you don't
want them. The idea! You couldn't
afford them. And mind you, walk; no
taxis. And after you've taken those
things back, go get the license, and
come straight back here. Dad will
be here with Doctor Brook, and we'll
be married here very quietly"
Peter looked at her very hungrily.
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