The Southern herald., 1914-04-10

COme| she at last eXclalmeu, lulpa-
tiently. They surely must have gone
on. Still Tom did not return.
At this moment a small boy entered
the room, and after cycling her shyly
for few minutes, plucked up courage
and asked Are you Miss Edith
Tyler?"
q am"
Here's note fer yuh."
1t was from Tom. She tore it open
and read: Dear Edith am sorry
to play what will seem like a shabby
trick, especially when you and your
people have entertained me so royalty,
and made things so pleasant for me
this last week at your house party
However, by the time you read this,
Ruth Gleason-I beg pardon, Mrs.
Tom Sanford-and l will be on our
train to New York We were married
ten minutes ago at the home of a
friend The whole thing was cut and
dried before we left home. We are
both sorry to be married in this way
but her people and mine have raised
a big kick-some old family grudge
that doesn't concern us. This seemed
the best way to do. A thousand par
dons, and a thousand thanks. Ever
your friend, Tom Sanford"
For a moment Edith sat perfectly
stunned with surprise.
Well of all things!" she calculated.
Ruth Gleason and Tom Sanford! ]
didn't know they even knew each
other" She searched her memory to
recall some incident that might have
warned her, but could think of moth
ing.
The gathering twilight turned her
thoughts to her own plight.
How am to get home?" she won.
dered.
At that moment some one entered
the doorway. 1t was Donald Warren.
He seemed excited.
Hello! I've been rushing my head
off to get here"
I've been here nearly two hours"
Her tone was tart, for she was very
tired. In her overweight state sh
felt no surprise at seeing him.
did you get Sanford's note?"
She nodded.
"I guess they worked surprise on
everybody"
Somehow, his jocularity proved the
last straw. Il think they might have
arranged things so as not to leave me
in such an embarrassing position.
They might have given me some hint"
Wrath was in her voice.
Don was troubled. "Oh, come; nev.
er mind" he soothed. "Old Sanford
was no end sorry to play such shah
by trick on you people when you had
been so nice to him. But 1t couldn't
seem to be helped. He told me his
troubles some time ago, and prom
ised to help him. That's why had
the bunch for house party now. But
it was personal sacrifice, for 1t pre-
vented me from being with you so
much"
"Things have been so mixed up,
thought thought" The rest was
lost in tears which Don soothed In
his individual way.
When she was calm he said: do
you know, Edith, I've been thinking
that Ruth and Tom we're pretty wise
after all Their quiet marriage has
prevented a lot of bother and opposi-
tion. Why shouldn't we follow their
example? I'll get the license, and we
can be married at my aunt's home.
She'll help us, I'm sure. She never
has been in sympathy with our pa
rents senseless quarrel. Besides.
have a good position now with the
Cregor company"
The proposition took Edith's breath,
and at first she decidedly refused, but
at last her objections were overruled.
1t was arranged, and his aunt, Mrs.
Margrave, helped them with the sim
pie wedding. When 1t was over, they
started back home in Don's car. The
summer moon was glorious and the
white road stretched before them like
an enchanted highway. Nevertheless,
as they approached their respective
homes, some Of the glamour gave
place to misgivings.
shall we tell our own parents our
selves?" Edith nervously asked.
'I should think 1t would be better
to face the music together. And I'll
do the telling" replied Don.
They found the picnic party had
not yet returned; but through the
lighted window, Edith saw her pa
rents sitting in the library Together
they entered, outwardly brave, inward
ly quaking. Don quietly stated the
facts.
Edith, prepared for a storm, was all
ready to fling herself on her fathers
neck with tears and supplications. To
her amazement she saw something
like a twinkle in his keen eyes as he
took off his reading glasses.
well, well!" he chuckled This
is the climax your dad and l have
hoped for"
But the family quarrel" gasped
Don.
"Oh, Henry and l made that up
wears ago." Then with another