Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-04-14

over 10 fenQleton.
Mr.. Moriand and Larry and Amy
and l." said Betty. Your mother will
not object, I am sure"
"She is asleep now. She has suffered
from neuralgia all day." said Adelaide.
81 will go, Betty, DEAR"
Just slip a warm coat over that
pretty white frock. I'm so glad you
wore 1t, Adelaide!" cried Betty, dane
Ing of.
Il wonder why" murmured Ade-
laide as she went upstairs.
Mrs. Higginson was sleeping sound
ly, and Adelaide whisked a motoring
cloak out of the wardrobe. twisted a
white chiffon veil about her pale gold
en- hair, and, with blue eyes shining
K stars. she Joined Betty and the
two young men in the veranda.
Over in the corner there was a glow
ing point of light. Professor Hicks
was smoking %furiously. Perhaps he
had counted on having Adelaide to
himself that evening.
Near by were Mavis Cakes and her
cavalier, Larry.
A half hour later came a telephone
call for Larry. He returned from the
booth in a very vexed frame of mind
I'm called over to Pendleton," he
explained. Gould you take mt over
In your car, professor? All the hotel
cars are in use."
with ~pleasure!' cried Professor
Hicks, tossing his cigar away. Per
haps Miss Cakes would like to come
too"
Thanks. l should love to-"
So the three drove away from the
hotel, two of them trembling with ex-
element at the coming ordeal.
Professor Hicks. the innocent vic
tim Of their disturbance. guided the
a with his usual cool precision.
where do you want to goY' he ask
ed after they had entered the quiet
Pendleton streets.
1.-THE rectory," said Larry.
Professor Hicks peered at him
through the darkness.
"H'm!' he coughed suspiciously, and
Larry pressed Mavis' hand and whis-
pered: "He believes we're going to be
married, you and l, Mavis. You
wouldn't hate the idea, would your"
No one ave Larry heard her answer,
but from what followed it must have
been entirely satisfactory to that love-
lorn youth.
In fact, the professor had to remind
them twice before they realized that
Tho aor hod ctoppa6 NJ tho rootorv pota
will you come inside. professorY'
pleaded Larry.
In the rector's study there waited a
nervous group-Betty and Amy, with
a tearf1lly smiling Adelaide between
them, while Dan Morland and Harvey
talked to the puzzled looking clergy
man.
Larry beckoned Morland into the
hall. Here he is, old man." Larry
whispered to Dan. go to itp Mavis
and Larry went into the study, leav-
ing Dan Morland alone with the pro-
lessor.
Those within the room heard sounds
of a dispute in the hall, murmured ex.
postulations and then the deep rum
BILE of Dams persuasive voice.
The girls looked at each other in dis
may.
Now that Adelaide. the dear, had
consented to their plan. would 1t not
be dreadful if the professor refused to
marry Miss Higginson?
II wish we had not meddled," whis-
pered Betty to Mavis.
Mavis nodded and looked miserable.
There was Adelaide with a sweetly
tender smile on her lips, her thinness
covered by the feecy white frock, so
bridelike.
And there was Professor Hicks, act
ing $3.50
"Balky!" 1t was Larry who sup
piled the right word.
Just then the two men came into
the room. the professor smiling, Dan
Marland looking bafled-
DR.. Deems came forward, surpliced,
with an open prayer book in his hands.
Professor Hicks exchanged a look
with Adelaide and stiffened his shoul-
ders as he stepped forward.
II thank these young people for their
kind interest in my-our affairs" he
said gently. "but I cannot marry AIDE
laide. You will explain to them why
1 cannot"
"Oh-oh!" The exclamation. scarce
ly breathed, ran from lip to lip. Some
how the professor found a place be-
side Adelaide.
They all looked expectantly at the
minister.
"Please tell them why l cannot ask
you to marry US. DR.. Deems" repeated
Professor Hicks.
DR.. Deems closed the prayer book
upon his finger and smiled benignly
around the group.
Because" he said impressively-"be-
cause / married them two weeks ago!'
CONSERVATION fell upon the six med
dlers.
The quiet Adelaide and her gray