The Washington herald., 1914-07-26

daughters, Of Bursley And he had
evaded capture, despite the special temp
tations to which an after-dinner tenor
rs necessarily subject.
And now Mary Morfe had caught him
caught him, moreover, without having
had the slightest intention of catching
him. She was one of the most spinster-
ish spinsters in the Five Towns; and
she had often said things about men and
marriage CI which the recollection now,
as an afflanced woman, was very dis
turbing to her, However. she did not
care. She did not understand how
Simon Loggerheads had had the wit to
perceive that she would be an ideal
wife. And she did not care. She did
not understand how, as a result of
Simon Loggerheads falling in love with
her, she had fallen in love with him.
And she did not care She did not care
a tlg for anything. She was in love
with him, and he with her, and she was
idlotically joyous, and so was he.
Still Richard had to be informed, and
the world had to be informed, for the
sllken dalliance between Mary and ST.
mon had been conducted with a discre-
tlon and secrecy more than character
Istic OF their age and dispositions. 1t
had been arranged between the lovers
that Simon should call on that Friday
evening, when he would be sure to
catch Richard in his easy chair, and
should, in the presence of Mary, bluntly
communicate to Richard the blunt fact
Mary was always an advocate OF the
policy OF getting things over and done
with.
What's he gone out for? ANYTHING
special" asked Simon.
Simon was now in Richards own easy
chair, and Mary was in her customary
seat. 1t irked them to be so far apart,
but they had to face the responsibility
OF the servant coming in.
Mary explained the circumstances.
The truth is, she finished, that girl
IS just throwing herself at Dicks head.
There's no doubt OF It | never saw such
work.
Well said Simon Loggerheads. "of
course, you know, there's been a certain
amount OF talk about them Some folks
say that your brUther-er-began-"
And do you believe that2" demanded
Mary.
Il don't know" said Simon. By which
he meant, automatically, to convey that
he had had narrow escape of believing
It, at any rate.
We'll" said Mary with conviction,
you can take il from me, that it isn't so.
know Dick. Eva Harracles may throw
herself at his head till there's no breath
left in her body. and it'll make no differ
<ence to Dick Do you see Dick married
man? | don't. | only wish he would
take it into his head to get married. 1t
would make me much easier in nv
mind. But, all the same, do think it's
downright wicked that a girl should fling
herself at him, right at himl Fancy her
calling tonight! It's the sort of thing
that oughtn't TO be encouraged"
But | understood you to say that YOU
yourself had told him to see her home"
Simon Loggerheads put in Isn't that
encouraging her. as it were"
"Ahv' said May, with a smile. Il
only suggested II to him because il
came over me all OF sudden how nice
it would be to have you here all alone
He can't be back much before twelve"
To such a remark there is but one re-
sponse. A sofa IS after all made for two
people, and the chance of the servant
calling on them was small
And so the clock stOpped" observed
Simon Loggerheads.
Yes" said Mary. "If it hadn't been
for the sheer accident OF that clock
stopping, we wouldn't be sitting here on
this sofa now. and Dick would be in
that chair. and you would just be be-
ginning TO tell him that we are en-
gagged
She sighed.
Poor Dick! What on earth will he
do"
Strange how things happenedw ST.
mon reflected in low voice. But I'm
really surprised at that clock stopping
like that. It's clock that you ought to
be able to depend on, that clock is"
He got up to inspect the clock He
knew all about the clock. because he had
been chairman of the presentation COM
mittee which had gone to Manchester
to buy it.
why" he murmured. after he had
toyed a little with the pendulum. 1t
goes all right. Its tick is as right as
rain"
How odd~' responded Mary.
Simon Loggerheads set the clock BY
his own impeccable watch, and then sat
down again.
And he drew something from his
waistcoat pocket and slid it on to Mary's
finger.
Mary regarded her finger in silent
ecstasy, and then breathed, How love-
ly!" Not meaning her finger.
Shall / stay till he comes back?"
asked Simon.
IF l were you, I shouldn't do that"
said Mary. But you can safely stay
till 1880. Then l shall 60 to bed.
He'll be tired and short when he gets
back. I'll tell him myself tomorrow
morning at breakfast. And you might
come tomorrow afternoon. early. for
tea"
Simon did stay till half-past eleven
He left precisely when the clock, now
convalescent. struck the half hour.
At the door Mary said to him:
81 won't have any secrets from you,
Simon. 1t was who stopped that
clock. l stopped it while they were
bending down looking for music.
wanted 10 be as sure as l could be. sure
of a good excuse for my suggesting to
him that he ought to take her home. I
Just wanted 10 get him out OF the house"
But why" asked Simon.
81 must leave that to you to guess"
said Mary, with hint of tartness, but
smiling.
Inooerheads and Richard Morfe met