The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-05-27
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MARY MIDTHORNE
GEORGE BARR McCUTCHEON.
Author OF ~GrAustArk." "Truxton King" etc.
Copyright, 1911. BY Dodd, Mead a Co.
TIL IIn Rl

There you gol" he cried bitterly.
You mustn't be foolish, Eric" she
pleaded. Don't tell father, not just yet.
He would laugh at US. And he might
put a stop to everything-to our seeing
each other and all that. Don't you see?
There's plenty OF time. 1t Is all going
to be so sweet and dear, to love each
other in secret-just between o~uselves,
with no one to a whether We may or
may not. You-you might spoil every
thing by going to him. Goodness, ]
hope he didn't peep in here a minute
ago!" She was in a great state OF
trepidation.
For that matter, SO was Eric. He
glaEced toward the door with con-
siderable anxiety.
"Perhaps-perhaps it's best to do as
you say" he admitted in some haste,
Not that I'm afraid, of course, but
well. 1t might spoil everything right at
the beginning. Your father just couldn't
understand"
She clasped his arms in her eager
ness. 1T will be sc lovely to nave this
beautiful secret all to ourselves" she
cried. in guarded tones.
But we are-engaged. aren't we
Say we are, JOAN" he pleaded.
Yes, yes" she half whispered.
And you'll marry me some day?
Swear it?"
"Oh Eric, tit seems to unusual"
You will?"
II suppose So"
He was not satisfied. Men never are.
His brow clouded with the darkness of
jealousy.
And you won't have a thing to do
ever-with any other fellow? Promise,
joan"
"Of course 1 won't" she cried. and he
was content.
Aunt Rena's got her heart set on
you for C~hetwynd," he said, suddenly
conscious OF another agreeable triumph
over his aunt.
81 hate him." After a moment she
went on. her brow clouded with an
noyance. She says Chetwynd wants
me to join their excursion down the st.
Lawrence next week. She's giving it
for him and there will be five or six OF
u.s."
It's the first I've heard of It," he
said stolidly.
She flushed painfully. Mrs. Blagden
didn't-that is, you and Mary were not
mentioned"
We wouldn't 60, anyway" he cried
hotly.
It's too bad" she murmured plant
lively. The trip is a lovely one"
Are you going?"
Father says 1t would be nice II l.
u "Ol I 81 4 you oOh l "dllA lie w.
He was fair and generous. You must
go, Joan. l won't mind, Tm-Hello!
There's Judge Bright in the hall"
When Judge Bright entered the
study a minute later, the sound Of his
footsteps having armed them in good
time. he found Eric sitting on the edge
of a table at some distance from Joan.
If he observed the suppressed excite
ment In their manner, he gave II no
thought, while they. on the other hand,
were m~iserably certain that their heart
throbs betrayed them.
The Justices grave, dignifed face
wore an expression OF profound thought
which lightened materially as the girl
called out to him to come over and sit
in the window with her while Eric tried
out the new camera on them.
Snap us in this posture, Eric" he
said genially, sitting down beside her
and drawing the dark head to his
shoulder.
Her eyes were sparkling. Eric
nervously began fumbling with the
camera. His fingers were all thumbs.
She laughed and he made more of a
mess than ever.
The lights bad" he floundered
h~elplessly. Cant we go out in the
yard?"
I'm afraid I amt speare the time,
announced the Judge. His brow clouded,
And ! shall have to ask you two to let
me rave the study to myself for awhile.
I've an important matter to-er-to
think over. I'd spoil the picture, any
way" He arose, patting the restrain
ing hand as he did so. by the way.
Eric, is Chetwynd at the bank today?"
Il think so, sir" replied the boy. re-
pressing a start.
Joan, before you go out. will you
telephone and ash him II he would
mind coming up this evening after din
|ner-if he isn't otherwise engaged? ?"
Her face fell. "T'd-Pd rather not
telephone to Chetwynd, father"
Her father smiled. Just tell him that
I want to see him for a few minutes.
Put It that way. my dear"
She went to the telephone in the hall.
rebellious but relieved. The judge
turned to Eric, who stood hard by, III
decided what to do next.
I've known Adam Carr since he was
a little boy. Eric. I saved him from
drowning when we were lads together,
You may be sur he would accept no
thanks from mi for what he did last
week for Joan-and you. He Is ex-
tremely fond OF you, because you dre
good to his old father. And let me tell
you something, my boy: he is a friend
worth having"
II am sure Of II. sir"
"Chetwynd will be here at half past
seven, father said Joan from the
doorway. a moment later.