Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-02-01
THE ALDEUAaN'S 0. X
BY JOSEPH 7. kEscEL.

eyes shifted their gaze from n inter Ui
papers on the desk before him 10 an
open window. through which gentle
breeze fluttered.
He threw both hands upward iinpa-
tiently and reached for the telephone.
"fhnnks very much. Alice" he con
Guided moment later. "1'll be down
shortly 10 take OUT the Riddle"
Within a half-honr he stepped into
one OF New York's rairnd stations
by the hand he led a sturdy boy 81
seven whose radiant face beamed ~
anticipation OF glorious outing
The gateinans curt words linmedi.
utely dampened the holiday spirit.
liars up against youngsters ieay
ing town without Board of Health Ger
tllieate. it's this infnntile paralysis
scare" he added.
Crandall suddenly stopped short.
His surprised eyes lighted upon . tail
graceful figure standing but few feet
distant. a little girl about Blllys age.
aiTectionntely clutched her hand.
"BettyF he cried bounding TO nei
side.
"Fredr' Their hands claspeh IA
warm pressure.
The last person IN the world *
pected TO meet here. he eried ngiri
lily. "Sit down for a moment nnd tel
me about yourself aud the old foiR,
back at Creston."
Elizabeth Thurston's willing nnt
vivid recital brought back 10 his mriu
DRY a complete picture, which anSli
through Ills miud like moving pan
Drama.
lie saw ali over again how she hl'
hlossomcd into womanhood and hat
returned his love. His case had bctt
well pleaded with her father who &c
fused his consent 70 their mnriiugl
right up TO tie day Crnndal tors"p.
The little village. Even as if u wei
yesterday did he remember his Ins
meeting with Betty and her words %
must obey father"
Caudall lel hts gnze sihft from Eiiz
nbeth Thurston's animated counie
nance 10 the little giri nesting IN hpi
lap
Your husband" ne ventnre1. in 40
effort TO break the suspense "whcrr
is"
The girl blusiir'd 10 embarrassment
aud gaspcd: 'fIuabnnhl Why, im
not married"
"The child -" he lefl his sen
tpnce unfinished.
"frho daughter OF my sister Rate
who lives 10 New Jersey" srtly
hastily explained. again CHANGING 81
Billy.
"whnt--ohi" be exclaimed "nlioN
me 10 present Master Hliiy Andrews
my nephew We Hgurcd n glorious dny
in the country. hut Ind 10 change oar
plans"
And Ellen and cannot go h0ine
without q certificate" SHE regurnrd,
u didn't know Il was necessary unui
we reached the station"
After moments thoughtful study
Ills head popped Ut. i've Rn alder
man friend. be broke out. "wh0 sbnHld
help me get those certificates.
Crandniia stride was unusualiy brisk
as he stepped into telephone booth a
few minutes later lie wns soon 10
earnest conversation with someone
whom he familiarity addressed as
Jack"
you chn arrange ~ Bully Tor you,
There WINS moments silence,
Thanks. Jack" be said delishiciiy
Everything arranged. Betty" said
Crandall proudly. when he rejolncd hvf.
mo trouble ut hll. Mr. O'iinrn alu
have the certificates ~ bis home ny
noon
"Ohi. I'm 50 glad. You've 40 Idea
how / dread that disagrceablc rca
tape" sho smilingly replied.
As they settled into the louucau Of
the automobile Frederick Crnndali's
right hand closed tondiy over her small
left one. toying cautiously wjlh thr
third finger.
Right on tlmc, doomed voice
from the topmost step, as the miiopo-
bile came to stop IN front Of the
aldermnnA house.
Elizabeth Hud Crundai Immediately
signed some papers under the direction
of notary TO which Airs. O'iiaru aud
her daughter Inscribed their nancs ns
witnesses.
Carefully Councilman oiiarn
thulnbcd lhe worn pages 81 y siuHli
book unit his dancing black eyer 10
cussed their gaze upon deeply under
stood paragraph In % mumblins bu,
rich irish hrogue. which rendered bis
words entirely unintelllglhle, he began
20 read
stopping abruptly ne cleared bis
throat and looked squnrely Hi the girl.
Elizabeth Marion Thurston, do sou
take this man to be your law"
a nervous ont" escnped her. and
she quickly jcrked her hand from Gran
dnlls
Betty" he brealhed, his pleading
eyes eagerly staring Into her flaming
countenance. Ills arm moved slowly
until his fingers again covered the
withdrawn hand.
EilzabeIh's eyes wayered under his
direct scrutiny. Looking downward
she stared 10 amazemeni at large
solitaire upon her third nnger The
Hon. John smiled IN renssuring man
ner.
The girl again looked at the man
who held her hand. Searching his Rnx.
lous eyes 10 their lnncrmost depths she
mutely nodded assent. NJ which the old
alderman Immediately proceeded with
the ceremony
Copyright, 1916 b. the Mcclure Rewspa-
avndtcafal
"a ---- "