Emmons County record., 1917-08-16
AUTHOR LONE
WOLF, The BRASS
BOWL" ETC.
COPYRIGHT er Loul. Jo,Epn MncE

out the least interest to the others
plans. How could he be interested,
with that fellow Quoin monOp0llzine
Lydia7 Not that he. didn't like Quoin.
In fact Peter admired that man tire.
mendOusly: so much the more reason
to fear his influence!
And Lydia, leaning on the rail, q
1slOn more radiant even than the day,
was looking up into Quoin's dark face
and laughing.
."Well7" Craven demanded with par
donable impatience.
Peter started and batted his eyes.
'Eh7" he inquired stupidity.
"What do you think?"
"Ah-nbOut whatr
Good heavens!" Craven exploded
Q full, deep note of evaporation.
"Here I sit yammering at you"
"Sorry." sold Peter. "Fact isl
know Mrs. Merrilees won't mind being
let into my confidence on the ground
dOOr-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. "Hnve you mentioned the
matter to Lydiaf'
"Certainly not! She's having too
good time. Women won't listen to a
EratuitOus lover unless bored or &C
lively unhappy"
'"Then why bother me with your
lovesick vapors1"
swell. wanted to see how rusty
you'd cut mp. Besides, Mrs. Beggar-
staff has discovered my hideous Sc
cret, and Is now busy-or about to
be-distributing handbills."
Cant you shut her upT.
'The law fOrbids cruel and inhuman
punishments. Besides, I'm not sure
want her hushed. I'm not ashamed
Of the fact, and II let the Beggarstafl
alone, sooner or later she or someone
will mention the matter to Lydia. and
thcn-wcll, rouse a womnn's curiosity,
and half your battles won."
Craven turned to inspect the pair
at the rail. "She might do worse" he
observed.
"Thanks!"
ethan Quoin, mean."
course it," said Peter, flushing.
"1'm in earnest, Tad"
II believe you are" Mrs. Merrilees
interjected with dispasslonate sciel.-
tific 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 third party" he
said severely. ISLANDER Is actionable
Merely because didn't like to show
! my distaste for your infatuated ad
vances, you take up with IN emergen
cy ration like Tad here, and then gei
sore because l don't forbid the banns-
! peevish child!"
"Just for that" said the woman
"just for that, Peter, I'm going tt
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 q
lncework wristbag, took out tiny
pocketboOk, and from this last extrnct
ed a slip Of paper. '"Take that to the
purser and bring me what it calls for
With assumed reluctance Craven
henved up from his place and rolled
forward, while his fancee crndled hel
chin In her hand and regarded Peter
with whimsical smile.
"Quit it," he said Grossly. "YOu
haven't got anything on me, yor
know"
"How about the others?"
"Others? I never looked cross-eyet
at 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 mean.
/ you!
1T seems so funny-youw Laugh
ing quietly, the woman looked up Il
review Lydia with a long glance
"She's dear GIRL" she observed.
! "Promise never to call me mamma,
and I'll do my best for you"
! "What chance have I got, will
Quoin making the pace? He's a regu
lar fellow-Im only a drawing room
entertainer"
Hes strange man." Mrs. Me--i
lees mused. III he hadn't taken NJ
such an impossible profession"
"Do you suppose ho has a case II
hand now; aboard this vessel,
meant"
Call him, and I'll ask"
Peter complied with the best grac,
imaginable. "Quoln! say. Addison
+. come over here minute. A beautifu
lady wants to ask you something
In lower tone he added, you're tn,
best little diplomat ever. I'll be crate
ful rs long as nve." And rising Will