The Monticellonian., 1916-11-16

| positively" :" and there was pleading look in Johns lifted eyes that changed i the little woman's smile to an express l sion of real solicitude. "i nave sent 1 for you" continued John, Ito ask of you three great favors. Please be seated while 1 enumerate them. First -I want you to forgive and forget that l tll-natured. uncalled-for grumbling of mine this morning when you awakened me-"
 Why, certainly" said the landlady, again smiling. though quite seriously.
 'l thank you said John with dig. nifty. And, second" he continued T want your assurance that my ex- treme confusion and awkwardness on the occasion of our meeting later were rightly interpreted.
 Certainly-certainly. said the land lady with the kindliest sympathy.
 ''I am grateful-utterly" said John, with newer dignity. And then." he went on-"after informing you that it | k impossible for the best friend | have in the world to be with me at this hour, as intended. I want you to do me the very great honor of dining with me. Will you?"
 Why certainly" said the charming little landlady-"and thousand thanks besides But tell me some thing of your friend" she continued, as they were being served. What is he ifke-and what is his name and where is he?"
 "Well,' said John warily Ines like all young fellows of his age. He's quite young, you know-not over thirty l should say-a mere boy in fact, but talented-versatile.
 -Uhharried, of course" said the ehatty little woman.
 '0h, yes .' said John, in n matter-of- course tone-but he caught himself ab- ruptly-then stared intently at his glanced evasively at the side lace of his questi0ner. and said-"Oh, yes Yes. indeed He's unmarried old bachelor like myself, you know. Ha! Fla !"
 "So he's not like the young man here that distinguished himself last nightF' said the little woman archly.
 The fork in Johns hand. half-lifted 10 his lips. faltered and fell back to- ward his plate.
 Why, what's that?' said John in strange voice. T hadn't heard any thing about it-I mean I haven't heard anything about any young man. What was it?"
 Haven't heard anything about the elo2mentz' exclaimed the little wom- an in astonishment. "Why, it's been the talk of the town all morning. Elopement ill high life.son of q grain dealer, name of Hines, or Hines, or something. and a preachers daughter Josie somebody-didn't catch her last name Wonder if you don't know the parties- Why, Mir. Mckinney, are you i'll ?''
 "0h, no-not at all!" said John. Don't mention it. IIa-ha Just eat ing too rapidly, that's all. Go on with you wefe saying that Bert and Josie had really eloped.n
 What 'Bert'?' asked the little wom- aH. quickly.
 Why. did I say Bert?' said John, with d guilty look T meant Haines, of course. you know-IIaines and ,Iosie-and did they really elope?"
 That's the report, answered the little woman, as though delberating some important evidence; and they Suy, too. that the plot of the runaway was quite ingenious. IL seems the young lovers were assisted in their flight by some old fellow-friend of the young man's-why. Mir Mckinney, you are ill surely?"
 Johns face was ashen.
 "No-no,n he gasped painfully. "Go .on-go on! Tell me more about the -the-the old felIow-the old repro bate! And is he still at large?"
 Yes" said the little woman, anx- iouSly regarding the strange demeanor of her companion. "rhey say, though. that the law can do nothing with him, and that this fact only intensites the agony of the broken-hearted parents Tor it seems they have, till now, re- sarded him both as q gentleman and family friend in whom"
 Il really am ill," moaned John, way eringy rising to his feet; but 1 beg you not to be alarmed. Tell your little boy to come to my room, where I will retire at once, if you'll excuse me. and send for my physician. It is simply q nervous attack. 1 am often troubled SO; and only perfect quiet and seclu- sion restores me. You have done me great honor, Mrs" ("MrS. Miller" sighed the sympathetic little woman) Mrs. Miller-and I thank you more than l have words to express" He bowed Imply, turned through side door opening on a stair, and tottered to his room.
 During the three-weeks' illness through which he passed, John had ev cry attention-much more indeed, than he had consciousness to appreci- ate For the most part his mind wan dered, and he talked of curious things, and laughed hysterically, and serenad- ed mermaidS that dwelt In grassy seas of dew. and were bald-headed like him. self. He played upon q 14-iointed flute of solid gold. with diamond holes. and keys carved out of thawless ice. His old father came at first to take him home but he could not be moved, the doctor said.
 Two weeks of Johns illness had worn away, when a very serious-look- ing young man, in a travelling duster, and a high hat. came up the stairs to