Middletown transcript., 1915-09-25

the table and gracefully lighted it,
puffed out the smoke, and yawned.
AS she drew in her line thus, his
frenzied struggles were getting short
er, but more violent. "Oh hang it all.
Carolyn, you know was only fooling,
Of course! Why, we were laughing
all the time, you know that! had no
idea you'd ever accept me! Do you
mean to tell me that you are In love
with me?" he asked bitingly.
mot at all! see no need Of lying
about it, whatever. But you certainly
do amuse me-" Her eyes danced.
well. l should say 1t was hardly
enough to accept a man simply be-
cause he amused you'll" This was the
best Hall could do. now; he was get
ting winded.
"Oh, yes" she replied jauntily, "on
the contrary, I'm quite sure that
shall want to be amused all my life
especially when I'm married"
Heavens! Do you consider that
we are engaged"
She looked at him with surprised
eyes. Her fishing was approaching a
climax. She began to wind in her line
to short length, speaking incisively.
See here, Hall, you're not trying to
get out of it, or anything, are your"
Hall gasped, wearied with the duel.
Now, Carolyn, let me explain just
how it is-Pll have to tell you some
thing-I want to-hang it-you make
! 1t so damned hard for me-what
mean is"
Carolyn rose and looked him in the
eye. She laid her hand on him; and,
soft as was its touch, he felt as IL 1t
were gripping him like a handcuff.
Hall, see here! Are you trying to
get out of it, or aren't you! Just tell
me thati"
"Why-why, l think you're carrying
the joke little too far, Carolyn, that's
all-honestly dol"
Carolyn now had him at the edge of
the boat. She terked him in with
laugh. my dear old Hail." she said.
and her voice was honey-sweet, 'I'm
carrying 1t only far enough to want to
wear that ring you bought today for
me. Where is it?" She actually be-
gan to feel in his waistcoat pocket.
He backed of in terror. Il haven't
any ring!"
Carolyn smiled. "Well, never mind.
We don't want anyone to know Just
yet, anyway, do we? Rings can wait.
Now come over here and sit down,
and I'll tell you exactly what we're 60
ing to do" She proceeded to lead
him, too dazed to resist, toward the
couch where they sat down together.
Now be brave" she said, smiling,
I'll let you hold my hand. You do
Just what l say, and you'll never re-
gret 1t. hate engagements; they
have neither the excitement of court
ship, nor the satisfaction of matri-
! mony. So, at just nine o'clock tomor.
row morning, you are going to call on
me and we'll toddle down to a justice
of the peace. Well just cut out the
white veil and downcast eyes and
everything. All you'll have to do is to
put gold band on my finger; and my
share will be to say I will and become
Mrs. Hall Bonistelle. What's the mat
teri"
Hall was staring toward the door.
! MY cousin JONAS" he said.
"Oh, bother!" Carolyn's eyes shot
fire. Just as we want to arrange
everything"
Jonas Hassingbury, tall and gaunt,
eating lettuce sandwich, strolled in,
as cool and self-possessed as the most
experienced cotillion leader In town.
! He was perfectly sure of himself;
/ without wealth, or power or social
training, he was blessed with an ego
ism that a king might have envied.
Jonas had never been embarrassed in
his life.
Hall looked at him, for the first time
with relief, and rose.
Miss Dallys," he said, "let me pre-
sent my cousin. Mr.. Hassingbury."
Jonas put the sandwich behind his
back, and bowed. Carolyn looked up
at him, annoyed.
"Dallys?" Jonas queried, never
heerd o. that name before, to my
knowledge. What be ye, Portuguee?"
With the grace of a veteran, he
] dropped down beside her on the couch.
At any other time Carolyn would
have welcomed his quaint charm. But
her eyes were now for Hall, and she
was anxious. Her answer was vague.
Jonas, however. did not appear to
notice 1t. His work was plain. He
had to make himself attractive, and
get rid of Hall. He launched forth,
therefore, on description of the town
of Branford while Carolyn yawned be-
hind her fan.
At the first pause Hall broke in. "By
jove, Carolyn, I've got to get some
photographs in my room promised to
show Mr.. Doremusl Cousin Jonas will
take care Of you all right, Carolyn.
He's a great man for the ladies!" and
with this slid out of range of her pro-
test.
Carolyn pulled herself together to
make the best of it. This yokel must
be got rid of at once. She leaned to-
ward him with ardor.
"oh, MIR. Hassingbury, do you really
think I'm pretty? You must have
known SO many beautiful womeu--ir IL,
Branford!"
"Yes. that's right" said Jonas. with
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