The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-11-03

remarked that he acted as il he were
a hundred and twenty-eisht And
Tom, much puzzled allowed precious
mathematical Thought to evaporate
while he sought ont Colonel John An
drew.
at is about Edwina's future began
Tom. ''She Is twenty-One now, and |
am worried
''Oh. don't worry" exploded the colo
mel II never did in my life, and look
mt me-" And the colonel noted in the
mirror how kindly the scythe bearer
really had been to him.
"Bnt she will necessarily be marry
ing" continued Master Tom.
"Of course" Colonel John Andrew
acquiesced SOFTLY. while mellow glow
came into his good. hale eyes.
There's young shipley.' suggested
Tom.
Milk and water" snapped the colo
mel. shes too good for million like
him"
"Shc's too good for any of them,
| said Tom. but we must see that she
gets the best Now, there's lands"
| wooden headed as any Indian cigar
sign" objected the colonel He object
| ed TO all the other rallow ones until
Tom in perplexity demanded. What
| them
What thon:" snapped Colonel John
Andrew why. before OR little Ed
wilma shall liz herself to amy Of these
I'll 20 downstairs and propoS" myself
And the colonel went Tom followed.
us it because am too oldF' the
colonel asked Edwina as soon rs he
saw her. assuming tone Of inefrable
sorrow.
| Edwina shook her pretty head. u
| Ike people who are old-a little bit
old" She declared
| Il know | have never accomplished
| anything" continued the colonel. save
to ride IL prancing cob or 10 lead a
! cotillion as it should be led.
Il don't care-I don't care for that
exclaimed Edwina. With more vehe-
mence than seemed necessary. TON
| Is always talking about being old. but
like him better than II he had down
| around Mars
Tom started. blushlng. and the colo
mel squinted at them both.
"I'm-rm"- stammered Tom. but
Edwlna impatiently waved him into
silence
ooh. you're twenty-cight." she said
In evaporation. Its simply horrible
Just think, youll De twenty-nine some
day"
Colonel John Andrew swallowed
something, underwent another change
OF expression. sighed with fnal resi2
nation and relief and smiled. Then /
is To be Shipley or Lands or youn.
Gregg? he asked.
NO. no. no. exclaimed Edwina, ret
, l and desperate nor any Of the silly
! immature flock
Then. in the name OF Cupid. whof
/ | demanded Colonel John Andrew
Il "Oh. ] suppose it's to be no one.
; | quavercd Edwina. with little look a
Tom on the settee. Then she made 70
| the door. all ready FOR tears once more
: Tom" Numbered Colonel John An
drew. arise and ask that young lad.
| TO marry you EdWina turned hal
| eXpectantly
, Great Caesar. father" cried Tom
? I'm twenty eight
See there" said Edwina, wheeling.
"Walt. Edwina." called Tom. and til
z girl dallied ~ HE foot of the stairs.
J. Tom stumbled hlunderingly up T.
her. "You don't mind my age" h
asked. "or the fact that | have don
} nothing worth while FOR the worldf'
r "0h. sugar. said Edwlna. In deaf
P earnest "Why. look AT the colonc
: Tom
The colonel WINGED. hut continue
b his beaming smile and Tom. REGARD
{ ing the Mustered. happy girl. reaehe
J over and kissed Edwina on her treI
bling red lips. and then the colon'
, came and kissed them both.
II was queer little proposal an
rather a difficult matter to figure ou
: | whether the colonel or Tom ur Edwin
did the asking maybe. but IL hel,
And anyway Il was happy ending
e So possibly Il was the best that coul
have been devised.