The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-06-28

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
gratultous lover unless bored or ac-
lively unhappy"
"Then why bother me with your
lovesick vapors?"
"Well, / 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."
Cant you shut her up?'
"The law forbids cruel and inhuman
punishments. Besides, Tn not sure
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 woman's curiosity,
and half your battles Won"
Craven turned to inspect the pair
at the rail. "She might do worse" he
observed.
"Thanks! I"
"Than Quoin, I mean"
"Curse It'll" said Peter, flushing.
"Tm In earnest, Tad"
81 believe you are" Mrs. Merrilees
interjected with dispassionate scien-
ti1c interest. II 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 a third party" he
said severely, ISLANDER is actionable.
Merely because I didn't like to show
my distaste for your infatuated ad-
cy ration like Tad here, and then get
sore because don't forbid the banns-
peevish childw
"Just for that" said the woman.
'just for that, Peter, I'm going to
heap Goals of fire upon your migrate
rul head-and heaven knows hope
they'll scorch and blister"
MARBLE" Craven suggested with
open incredulity.
"Be quiet, Tad. and run an errand
for me, like biddable child" Mrs.
Merrilees loosed the drawstring of
lacework wristbag, took out 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 whimsical smile.
"Quit it," he said GROSSLY. "You
haven't got anything on me, you
know"
"How about the others?"
"Others? l never looked cross-eyed
at girl before this"
"Peter!"
swell, hardly ever. And, anyway.
from now on I'm going to wear a sign
board here" He sketched the site
upon his waistcoat:
Private. No Thoroughfare This means
you!
''It seems so funny-you Laugh
ing, quietly, the woman looked up to
review Lydia with a long glance.
"She's a dear girl" she observed.
Promise never to call me mamma
and Til do my best for you."
'What chance have got, with
Quoin making the pace? He's regu-
lar fellow-rm only a drawing room
entertainer"
Hes strange man." Mrs. Merri-
lees unused. "If he hadn't taken up
such an impossible profession"
do you suppose he has case In
hand now; aboard this vessel,
meanT
"Call him, and I'll ask"
Peter complied with the best grace
imaginable. "Quoin! say. Addison,
come over here a minute. A beautiful
lady wants to ask you something"
In lower tone he added. "You're the
best little diplomat ever. I'll be CRATE
full as long as live" And rising with
the sunniest of smiles, he drew up
chairs for Lydia and QuOln.
''Yes, Mrs. Merrilees?" the detective
inquired, taking the place ut her side.
'Peter and have been pickering
about you," the lady fibbed brazenly.
"Are you, or are you not, wasting your
brilliant talents on my devoted trnil?"
Quoin looked puzzled. Something
on your conscience" he advanced ten
tatively. 'You don't mean to try any
smuggling this trip, hope"
II can't make up my mind. I'd love
to. Are you interestedT
"Only in your interests. Be ad-
vised-don't y
"Why?" Mrs. Merrllees pouted.
"Why not, If, as Peter would say, l
can get away with it?"
IF for no more moral reason" said
the detective seriously. because 1t
! can't be done. The customs people are