The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-09-07

Peter started and batted his eyes
"Eh?" he inquired stupidity.
what do you think?"
"Ah-about what?"
Good heavens!" Craven exploded
full, deep note of evaporation
Here I sit yammering at you-"
"Sorry," said Peter. Fact is
know Mrs. Merrilees won't mind bein.
let into my confidence on the grount
floor-fact is, I'm in love with YOU
daughter, Tad. And Quoin's talking
to her. So, naturally, I'm sick with
jealousy"
cts 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 q
gratuitous lover unless bored or &C.
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 up?
"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 Beggarstatf
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
ut the rail. "She might do worse" he
observed.
"Thanks!"
Ethan Quoin, mean"
"Curse itv said Peter, flushing.
I'm in earnest, Tad"
81 believe you are" Mrs. Merrilees
interiected with dispassionate sclen-
tific interest. II really believe you
are, Peter. Certainly you were never
50 intolerably stupid when in love
with me-"
Peter, by this time recovered, fixed
her with a reproving glance. uttered
in the presence of a third party" he
said severely, Islander is actionaDle.
Merely because I didn't like to snow
nv distaste for your infatuated adj
7ances, you take up with an emergen-
" ration like Tad here, and then get
sore because I don't forbid the banns-
1eevish child"
"Just for that" said the woman
.iust for that, Peter, I'm going to
leap Goals of fire upon your migrate
'ul head-and heaven knows l nope
heyTI scorch and blistec-"
"Marble?" Craven suggested WIN
pen incredulity.
"Be quiet, Tad, and run an GRAND
or me, like a biddable child" MRS.
ierrilees loosed the drawstring OF
ncework wristbag, took out a tiny
and from this last extract
d a slip of paper. 'Take that to the
,urser and bring me what 1t calls tor.'
With assumed reluctance Craven
eaved up from his place and rolled
onward. while his fiancee Graded her
hin in her hand and regarded Peter
18th a whimsical smile.
"Ouit It'll" be said GROSSLY. YOU
aven't got anything on me- you
now"
"How about the others"
"Others? 1 never looked cross-eyed
a girl before this"
"Peteri"
"Well, hardly ever. And, anyway
ON now on I'm going to wear a sign
,ard here" He sketched the site
Don his waistcoat:
rivate. No Thoroughfare. This means
you!
.'It seems so funny-youp Laugh
. quietly, the woman looked up to
view Lydia with a long glance.
She's a dear GIRL" she observed.
promise never to call me mamma
I'd I'll do my best for you"
"What chance have / got, with |
1oin making the pace7 He's a regu-
r feIlow-rm only q drawing room .
tertuiner."
"He's n strange man." Mrs. Merri-
&c u.used. "If he hadn't taken up I
ch an impossible profession"
'Do you suppose he has a case In 8
nd now; aboard this vessel, L
AM" c
Call him, and I'll ask" o
Peter complied with the best grace
nginable. ~Quoinl say. Addison, b
ne over here a minute A beautiful /