The Jasper news., 1920-12-09

! fee card and the address of the bank
and direct me to the nearest hotel"
Listen to hint" cried Amy. sHo.
tel ell--when he's at homei That comes
Of travelling for months"
''Ailss Lowrie," he gravely replied.
''your mother is away. lean no more
stay here than could have agreed to
your travelling alone with me-"
'Isn't he the silliestr u
II mean It."
Mamma, what II Amy should ask
US to stay tonightf" suggested Ellen.
Clinton looked about him with the
alarm Of the bird under the descend
ing net Of the fowler. "Mrs. Kirkland,
must beg you" he protested.
The lady smiled reassuringly. Ell
len has solved the difficulty. We may
call It a house party, and you a guest
rs well as she and l."
Leaving me ont of It," complained
BENIN. "Why shouldn't he put up at
my lodgings for the nightf"
"Just the thing" agreed Clinton.
''very good Of you, Mr.. BENIN. II
wlll-wlll save Miss Lowrle the trouble
Of"
"Botheration exclaimed Amy. sIf
Charlie takes you away he need never
show his face here agnin. Besides he's
not going to, because you're going TO
stay home"
THAT settles IT," declared Doctor
Kirkland. "When Toodlums puts her
foot down Come, Charlie. Good
night, my dear. Girls. don't let him
escape you"
Don't worry" replied Amy. "El-
len and I shall treat him so nice thai
he won't want to leave"
"Td be glad to stny even II you beat
me-" suggested BENIN.
THAT would make 1t quite q house
party" observed Ellen with a wistful
glance at Clinton.
Amy laughed outright. "She and
Charlie are going into horticulture.
They think two peaches will make
two pairs, II provided with the cor
rect accessories"
us there a man in town more cor.
rect than yours most devotedlyf-
Queried BENIN.
"The only gentlemen invited to this
house party are brothers." bnntere1
the little hostess. "Do Join usl"
Thanks, mol Good evening, every
body. Meet you Mt the bank, WILL"
BENIN covered his hasty retreat. "Pm
coming, doctor. Leave the door Open"
Ever Clinton smiled at the precipi-
tate flight of the young elegant.
Trust TillIe to have his room all
ready" said Amy. "I1l put him 10 bed
right away. Come, brotherkins. else
the sandman will catch you. It's time
you toddled of to Sunderland"
Clinton looked to Mrs. Kirkland for
succor. The lady smiled and gra-
ciously wished him, Pheasant dreams I"
Good nightl" murmured Ellen. She
tmpuisively rose and started toward
him, only to stop IN sudden remem-
brance and stand blushlng between
dismay and half-hearted expectancy.
Good night - excuse me - good
night r. he stammered. and he hurried
out past Amy into the hall.
She darted after him, but did not
overtake him until he paused IN the
upper hall before the door of n CELL
ciously dainty pink and ivory boudoir.
She placed caressing hand on his
shoulder when, Mt the sight OF the
feminine furnishings of the room, he
would have stepped back.
AREN'T you going to tell me how
much prettler 1t is than It wasf" she
reproached.
"YOu forget this is the first time l
ever 1t Is very pretty. though. Far
too exquisite for a man."
"Horrorsl I" she cried. "You must
be half asleep. Go on to your own
room"
He looked at the closed doors of the
other rooms as II In doubt. She cut
short his hesitation by leading him TO
the end OF the hal! and into a large.
simply furnished bedroom.
didn't / tell your" she said. It'll
lie has everything neat as a pin." She
darted ahead into a closet and came
out with an armful Of garments. 'Yes.
Tillie has hung up your lOunging robe
and pajamas. Here they are. You'll
want a good hot bath after your trip:
and there's Ellen and her mamma
so I'll not stop to talk. Good night"
Good night" he replied. trying to
avoid her affectlonate gaze.
1--WE must not keep them waiting"
she said, upturning her Cupid's bow
| lips to him.
To have altogether refused that in.