Putnam patriot., 1914-12-18

"'' 't'-4it NN ttN'ti44 III as He keitt on talking
 And Will you marry me. Joan:e he was saving. We might as well. have the license in my booker
 "lmpertinencer' she iuteriected but not in an angry tone.
 The names are there. and every. thing k complete and regular" Vii. loughby went on. Let ne ask Mr. Spelain to include us in the ceremony. Won't you. dear2'
 "I couldn't think of such d thing re turned Joan. What would mother say9"
 At the same time she allowed Dr. Willoughby to take her hand and lead her to Mrs. Carr. before whom he bowed his head and asked in q prop. eriy humble fashion. but in a loud voice. te comply with the exigencies of the ear trumpet.
 Mrs Carr. would you object t0 my marrying your youngest daughter Jean: We have been partly engaged, as yed have known for some time. and now she has consented-if you will per init it.
 eWhat's all this?" cried William Carr Do you mean to say, Willoughby that
 'William" boomed Mrs. Carr in al awful voice for she wanted to make her husband understand that she still wis head of the house s0 far as mar riage and similar proceedings were concerned ''l have given my consent
 MT. SpeIain, continued Mrs. Carr solemnly. MT Spelain. will you please marry my daughter Joan to Dr. Will loughbyF'
 Gee! What next?' breathed Jack Doogan "There'll only be one of the Carr girls left
 That's so-Miss Caroline" whisper ad Nell
 The little minister was rather taken aback by the unexpected rush of bust ness. But he was game-as Jack Doc gan remarked afterward to Nell-and as soon as he had recovered from the shock of finding three couples on his hands he directed Dr. Nilloughby and Joan to stand up on the right side of Doogan and Nell, while James Gluney and Madge Carr were on their left.
 All kneel,' said the minister sol emnly.
 Jack Dooean hesitated. as if he hard ly knew how to do ii, and Mrs Carr, intensely interested. repeated the in struction for lis benefit.
 He said kueel
 This seems too good to be true muttered Jack Doogau as he kneit rev erently by the side of the girl who had done so much for him aitd for whom. on his side, he had dare1 some nm and would dare more by giving up his old lawless life for ever
 There is a young man working for one of the biggest safe manufacturers in Chicago-a young man with flash ing brown eyes, ruddy complexion and powerful hands-who is an expert in the manipulation of combination locks. He has q genius for that kind of thing. people say.
 When. as happens at intervals, business house cannot get its safe open on account of some irregularity in the mechanism this young man is always sent to adjust the difficulty. He has never failed to get safe open vet. Then. again. occasionally it IS ab- solutely necessary to get into safe when the only two or three persons who know the combination are away and cannot he reached. But the young man with the strong hands and deli cate fingers gees from the safe manu- faeturers and always the door flies open sooner or later at his command
 The young man got his situation with fhe safe makers on the recommends tion of William carr of the well known New York importing firm of Scott Carr X Co. of New York city. His name is John Doogan. His friends call him Jack.
 Nlr and Mrs. Jack Doogan have neat little house. wi;h half an acre or ground. in one of those rural com muni- ties that dot the prairie to the west or rhe great city on Lake Michigan.
 And are you happy" asked Nell getting I'D from the table and coming around to his side.
 Happy? Say, Nell. I'm as happy AS if I'd just licked that ugly police ser eeant who wanted to nab Us both at the Carr house that day l can't say more than that
 "Ob. ti.at reminds inc" broke in Nell. with merry laugh. T got letter from Miss Caroline today.
 .Tbat so? What does she wantf'
 ~Nothing. She asked me to write to her when we got settled. And l did. This is in answer to it. She says she hopes we are happy and that we are to co and see them whenever we are in New York.
 .Nix. Neyer again for me to New York. What elsef"
 "Oh. she says. went on Nell, aheh- ine still harder. that her mother has lost her ear trumpet again.
 well they can't say took flor vou either. That's enc comfort.
 .sNo. But Miss Caroline says they are afraid her father has done some, thing with it and can't remember suppose he's getting it again
 .-Getting what again
 eThat disease with the long name. t.lenfo-w whatever fl is. You know
 .Trb-huh. If they don't put tin mt tans on that old man he'll land in jail yet" predicted Jack Doogan. shaAinE bis head solemnly.
 TUE END.
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