The Crittenden press., 1920-07-02

Mrs. Bash,ors and ! made
question that Searles' companion wn'
Individually my uucle's widow-gaN'
me her hand aud smiled in wa!
that showed that she was not so great
ly displeaSed with Alice as her word
implied
PAY that driver for me and don't
fail TO tip him. Those Methuseahs
at the gate all hut killed him II was
only the vigorous determination NJ
this gentleman, who very gcnerouSl,
permitted me to share the only mo'o'
at the station, that ! got through thu
gates alive beg your pardon, bu,
what is your numeT
Mrs. BaShford." lnterpoSed. ''my
friend. Mr.. Srarles."
MIR. SearleS (" cried Alice, dropping
cage containing some weird Oriental
bird which had been amous my nuntS
mrcliurnti The bird SqmWkcd
hldeouSly.
Miss Violet DewinC. permit me To
present the author OF Lady Lark
spur 2"
II was II week later that Alice and
| sat on the stone wall watching thu
waves, at the point forever memorable
as the scene Of our first talk.
Aunt Alice isn't playing fair" she
said, "She prctends now that II was
all my idea-coming over to play NJ
being our uucle'S widow, hut she reNl-
ly encouraged me to do II So could
give her an impartial Judgment OF
your character. Fin her only niece
and her nameSake, and she relies on
me II good deal You know she's very.
very rich, and She had never any Idea
" keeping your uncls'S money. She
meant all the while TO give II 10 you
provided she found you were nice
And she thinks you are very nice"
Your own opinion Of me would he
interesting" suggested
She had gathered handful Of peb.
bles and was tlinging them itfully NJ
bit OF driftwood. wished her llp-
hadn't that little quiver that preluded
laughter and that her eyes were NOT
the haven Of all the dreams In the
world.
She landed pebble on the target
before replying.
"lou are very nice. think" she
said with dlsconCertlng detachment
AT first was afraid you didn't like
nonsense. but you really got through
very well. considering the trouble
cuused YOU. But I'm In trouble myself
now. Papa will land tomorrow. He's
the grandest, dearest man In all thl,
world. but when he finds that I'm go
lng To act In Mr.. Searles' play he VIII
be terribly cut up. Of course II will
not he for long. Even II it's n hiG
success, I'm tO he released In thre,
months. Constance and Sir Ceci
think | owe 1t to myself 10 appear II
the piece; they're good enough 10 say
nobody else can do II so well--whict
Is question. I'm going Ia give Al
the money earn to the blind sol
! diers."
U wished the tears In her eye,
didn't make them more lovely still 7
Being what you are apd all you are
II would be brutal for me to add II
the NUMBER Of things you have 10 tel
/ your father. I'm very obscure per
son, and he Is gentleman of title nm,
otherwise distinguished. You are th'
Honorable Miss"
Papa has said numbers OF times.
she began softly. looking far on
across the blue Sound-"he has said
oh, very often. that he'll never stoI
troubling about me untll-uutIl In
happily married"
"When 'you came here you wor,
n wedding ring" remarked casually
ut was only property ring. I,
help deceive you. bought II In Chi
cago. When Aunt Alice came threv
II away"
THE finger seems lonesome withou
IT," | said. 'If get you another,
hope you'll take better care ~ H."
III you should put II there" sh'
replied, looking tixedly NJ the hand
that would be very very different.
tTHE ENID