The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1920-07-16

ohN'ea Stbut $1dg III AluNciiuS CUP
wrapped In coat that fell to her
heels. She began Immediately to de-
liver orders In an authoritative tone
as TO the rescue of her belongings.
Searles Owed into the taxi and began
dragging out a vast amount of small
luggage, but my attention was divert.
Ell for moment by Alice, who jumped
down the steps and clasped her arms
about the neck of the stout lady.
AUNT Alice" | heard her saying.
"Why didn't you tell us TO meet your
why didn't | tell your" demanded
the stout lady. THE moment you
left me ! knew I'd made a mistake
In letting you come over here OF one Of
your absurd larksl And from .he row
| had getting into the premises
judge that you're at your old tricks
Fired upon! Treated as though
were an outlaw You shall never 90
out OF my sight again.
"Oh, please don't scoid me" Alice
pleaded and turning to me: This
Is Bob Singleton, your nephew"
Mrs. Bashford-and made no
question that Searles' companion was
Individually my uncle's widow-gave
me her hand and smiled in way
that showed that she was not so great
ly dispeased with Alice as her words
implied.
PAY that driver eDr me and don't
fall to tip him. Those Methuselahs
at the gate all but killed him. 1t was
only the vigorous determination OF
this gentleman. who very generously
permitted me to share the only motor
at the station, that got through the
gates allvel ] beg your pardon, but
what is your name7"
Mrs. Bashford." I interposed. my
friend, Mr.. Searles."
mir. Searlesr cried Alice, dropping
cage containing some weird Oriental
bird which had been among my aunt's
impe'limrntu. The bird squawked
hldeously.
Miss Violet Dewlng, permit me to
present the author Of Lady Lark.
spur"
II was week later that Alice and
I sat on the stone wall watching the
waves. at the point forever memorable
as the scene OF our first talI.
Aunt Alice isn't playing fair" she
said. "She pretends now that II was
all my idea-coming over to play Nv
being our uncle's widow, but she real.
~ encouraged me to do 1t so could
give her an impartial judgment Of
your character. I'm her only niece
and her namesake, and she relies on
me good deal. You know she's very,
very rich, and she had never any idea
Of keeping your uncle's money. She
meant all the while to give It to you
provided she found you were nice.
And she thinks you are very nice"
"Your own opinion Of me would be
Interesting" | suggested.
She had gathered handful Of peb.
bles and was filnging them fitfully at
a bit Of drlftwood. I wished her lips
hadn't that little culver that preluded
laughter and that her eyes were not
the haven of all the dreams In the
world.
She landed q pebble on the target
before replying.
you are very nice. / think" she
said with dlsconcerting detachment.
AT first was afraid you didn't like
nonsense. but you really got through
very well, considering the trouble
caused you. But I'm In trouble myself
now. Papa will land tomorrow. He's
the grandest, dearest man In all this
world. but when he finds that Tn GO
ing to act In Mr.. Searles' play he will
be terribly cut up. OF course II will
not be for long. Even If it's big
success, I'm to be released In three
months. Constance and Sir Cecil
think I owe 1t to myself to appear in
the piece; they're good enough to say
nobody else Gun do II so well-which
is a question. I'm going TO give all
the money I earn to the blind sol.
diers."
q wished the tears In her eyes
didn't make them more lovely still y
Being what you are and all you are.
II would be brutal for me to add 10
the number Of things you have TO tell
your father. I'm a very obscure per-
son. and he is a gentleman Of title and
otherwise distinguished. You are the
Honorable Miss"
Papa has said numbers Of times"
she began softly. looking far out
across the blue Sound-"he has said,
oh, very often, that he'll never stop
troubling about me until-untIl I'm
happily married"
"when you came here you wore
a wedding rims" remarked casually.
SIT was only a property ring. to
help deceive You. bought II in Chi.
cago. When Aunt Alice came ! threw
Il away"
"The finger seems lonesome without
IT," said. "If get you another.
hope you'll take better care Of It."
IF you should put II there" she
replied. looking ffxedly at the hand,
that would be very. very different
(THE END.)