The Jasper news., 1917-08-09

Peter started and batted his eyes.
"Eh?" he inquired stupidity.
"What do you thinkf"
"Ah-about what?"
Good heavensw Craven exploded
| a full, deep note OF evaporation.
Here 1 sit yammering at you"
"Sorry," said Peter. "Fact isl
know Mrs. Merrilees won't mind being
let into my confidence on the ground
floor-fact is, I'm In love with your
daughter, Tad. And Quoin's talking
to her. So, naturally, I'm sick with
jealousy"
ITS like your cheek" observed
Craven. Have you mentioned the
matter to Lydia?"
Certainly not! She's having too
good time. Women won't listen to
gratuitous lover unless bored or ac-
lively unhappy"
'"Then why bother me with your
lovesick vapors?"
"Well, l wanted to see how rusty
you'd cut up. Besides, Mrs. Beggar-
staff has discovered my hideous Sc
cret, and is now busy-or about to
be-distributing handbills."
"Can't you shut her upT
"The law forbids cruel and inhuman
punishments. Besides, I'm not sure
l want her hushed. I'm not ashamed
of the fact and If let the Beggarstaff
alone, sooner or later she or someone
will mention the matter to Lydia, and
then-well, rouse q woman's curiosity,
and half your battles won."
Craven turned to inspect the pair
at the rail- "She might do worse" he
observed.
"Thanksl'' l''
"Than Quoin, 1 mean"
Course itr said Peter, flushing.
"Tm in earnest, Tad"
81 believe you are" Mrs. Merrilees
interjected with dispassionate scien-
tific interest. 81 really believe you
are, Peter. Certainly you were never
so intolerably stupid when In love
with me-"
Peter by this time recovered. fixed
her with reproving glance. uttered
in the presence of third party" he
said severely, Islander is actionaDle.
Merely because l didn't like to show
my distaste for your infatuated ad-
vances. you take up with an emergen-
cy ration like Tad here, and then get
sore because don't forbid the banns-
peevish child!
Just for that" said the woman
"just for that Peter, I'm going 10
heap Goals of fire upon your migrate
rul head-and heaven knows l hope
they'll scorch and blister"
"MarbleY Craven suggested with
open incredulity.
"Be quiet, Tad, and run an errand
for me- like biddable child" Mrs
Merriees loosed the drawstring OF a
lacework wristbag, took out d tiny
pocketbook, and from this last extract
ed slip of paper. "Take that to the
purser and bring me what 1t calls for.'
With assumed reluctance Craven
heaved up from his place and rolled
forward, while his fiancee Graded her
chin in her hand and regarded Peter
with q whimsical smile.
"Quit It'll" he said GROSSLY. "You
haven't got anything on me, you
know"
"How about the othersf"
"Others? 1 never looked cross-eyeo
at a girl before this"
"Peter"
"Well, hardly ever. And, anyway
from now on I'm going to wear sign
board here" He sketched the site
, UPON his waistcoat:
Private No Thoroughfare. This means
you!
"It seems so funny-youW Laugh
, ing quietly, the woman looked up t.
, review Lydia with q long glance
"She's a dear girl" she observed.
"Promise never to call me mamma,
and I'll do my best for you"
, "What chance have got, will
! Quoln making the pace? He's regu
lar fellow-Pm only drawing room
entertainer"
Hes a strange man." Mrs. Merri
, lees mused. "If he hadn't taken VI
such an impossible profession"
do you suppose he has case 'il
hand now; aboard this vessel,
mean?"
"Call him, and I'll ask"
Peter complied with the best grac
imaginable. "Quoinl say, Addison
come over here a minute. A beautiful