The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-03-17

! ing, and very formidable rival, eX
cept perhaps in the matter of youth
The widow saw this advantage Will
something like pang. She also hat
to acknowledge thar June was very
| pretty. She set to work to impress
upon June that her engagement tt
Billy being understood, she wanted
her, as one of the family, to like her
| and be glad to welcome her as one OF
them. June tried to assume cheer.
full, even cordial acquiescence, but hel
astute hostess detected something I'm.
der the mask which warned her to be
a trifle wary in the campaign.
Tommy Thurston was saunterine
down toward the park, when June
doomed up in his line Of vision. She
seemed to him to look rather more
ravishingly alluring than usual. He
wondered if 1t would do any good to
try again to get her to say yes. He
detained her as she tried to pass.
"It's just to say good-by," said
Tommy.
"Oh," replied June, not greatly in
terested, "when are you going?"
"This Wednesday. I'm going to stop
at Barchester to see my uncle, on the
way. After that I haven't yet de-
cided. Perhaps across the pond to
England, perhaps to California. You
know I wouldn't go if you said So"
"Now Tommy, that's settled. Don't
let's talk about it, please"
There was such a ring of finality
about 1t that Tommy was silent.
But" added June, "come to think,
I've got to go to Barchester to do
some shopping. may be taking your
train, and can bear you company on
the beginning of your journey at
least"
"Oh, that1l be fine!" cried Tommy
Frightening.
So 1t was arranged they should meet
at the train.
June said nothing to anyone about
her intended trip, but carefully packed
a suitcase, put her desk, and belong.
Ings in order, the only thing suggest
Ing hasty departure being Mrs.
Cliffe's note of invitation left lying
open on her desk. She slid unobserved
put of the house, keeping the suitcase
On the side away from the window,
and met Tommy at the station. She
look pains to speak to the station mas
.er at the little Office who knew her,
and who eyed, rather curiously, the
Of young Thurston, Miss
Barry and the luggage.
Arriving at Barchester, Thurston in
listed on seeing her to the hotel where
The said she was going. Then he reg
stored, and informed her he intended
o stay there also for day or two.
Tune put her foot down, and told him
he would leave Immediately if he did
lot go to some other hotel. Thurston
aw that she meant it, and left.
The next morning June started out |
or her shopping. When she returned
he expected to find that something |
lad happened, but not even a tele- |
ram greeted her. She wondered what |
hey were doing and thinking at home. |
Veil there was nothing to do but wait.
he sat alone in her room the entire
vening, and nothing happened. The
ext morning as she was starting out
or more shopping, she found herself
onfronted by the proprietor. Very
pologetically he explained that he
ad orders from police headquarters
D detain her. June after some show
indignation, went meekly back to
er room. In about an hour there
'as a knock at her door. Was 1t a
Orrid policeman or the irate and in
lred Mrs. Hunt? June nerved her.
elf to open the door. Billy wild-eyed
nd out of breath confronted her.
"Where is that scoundrel?" he
elled. "Are you married?"
"No," answered June. "And he isn't
scoundrel."
Then Billy told how he had found
RS. Cliffe's note, how q good deal
Id dawned upon him, how they had
ever even thought Of being engaged,
Id how furious, and miserably heart
oxen he had been.
"Then," he added, 81 know-it took
/ awful big jolt to find out-but I
lew I'd got to get you back, or
~
"Or make me one Of the family"
e finished.
Billy took her very closely in his
ms, and explained later.