The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-03-08


light near the front door," Julia added.
II put out"
"You dIdW
~ can't see any Of 'em tonight"
she said resolutely. Besides, I want
to find out what you meant in the tax.
icab before do anything else."
"What I meant in the taxicab?" he
echoed. ooh, Julia, Juliff!"
She frowned, first at the fire, then,
turning her head, Mt Noble. "You
seem to feel quite reproachful about
something" she observed.
mo, don't. I don't feel reproach-
ful, Julia. I don't know what 1 feel
but don't feel reproachful."
She cmiled family. Don't youi
Well, there's something perhaps you do
feel. and that's hungry. VIII you stay
to dinner with me-if I go and get
it?"
"What3"
"You can have dinner with me-if
you want to?-and stay till ten o'clock
If you want TO? Waltz she said,
and jumped up and ran out Of the
room.
She came back and called softly to
him from the doorway, half an hour
later; and he followed her to the din
ing-r0om. ut isn't much Of dinner,
Noble" she said little tremulously be-
ing for once (though strictly as cook)
genuinely apologetc-but the scram-
bled eggs, cold lamb, salad and cof-
fee were quite as "much of dinner"
as Noble wanted To him everything
on the table was hallowed, yet shred
ded through and through with an ex-
cruciating melancholy.
"Now we'll TALK" said Julia, when
she had brought him back to the fire
again, and they were seated before it.
Don't you want to smoker" He
shook his head dismally, having no
then," she said brlsllly, but little rue
fully, Tets get to the bottom Of things.
Just Swhat did you mean you had in
black and white in your pocket?"
Slowly Noble drew forth the his
toric copy Of the North End Daily Or
iole; and with face averted, placed it
In her extended hand.
What In the world !" she exclaimed,
unfolding It; and then as It's title and
statement Of ownership came into
view. "Oh, yes I seel Aunt Carrie
wrote me that. Uncle Joseph had given
Herbert q printing press. I suppose
Herbert's the edltOr?"
"And that Rooter boy" Noble said
sadly. II think maybe your little niece
Florence, has something to do with 1t,
too"
Something to d6 with lit She
usually has all to do with anything she
gets hold OIL But what's 1t got to do
with me?"
"YouIl seel" he prophesled accu-
rately.
She began to read, laughing at some
OF the items as She went along; then
she suddenly became rigid, holding the
small journal before her in trans
fixed hand.
"Oh! she cried. "Oh, oh
''Inats--tnat's what meanr,'
Noble explained.
Julia's eyes grew dangerous. "The
little fiends!" she cried. oh, really,
this is long-suffering family, but it's
time these outrages were stopped!'
She jumped up. isn't it frightfulr'
she demanded of Noble.
"Yes, It Is" he said. with dismal
fervor. Nobody knows that better
than I do, Julia!"
II mean this!" she cried, extending
the Oriole toward him with fine
sweep Of gesture. II mean this dread
full story about poor Mr.. Crum |"
"But it's true, though" he said.
"That's what hurts me, Julial"
"Noble DIP
"Juliar
"Do you dare to say you believed
it?"
He sprang up. at isn't trueW
"Not one word Of It'll I told you
Mr.. Crum is only twenty-six. He's
not been out Of college more than
three or four years, and It's the most
terrible SANDER to say he's ever been
married at allw
Noble dropped back into his chair of
misery! "I thought you meant 1t
wasn't true"
i've just told you there isn't one
word Of tr--''
but you're-engaged-to him."
Noble .gulped. you're engaged to
him, Julia"
She appeared not to hear him. ~
suppose 1t can be lived down." she
said. 'To think Of Uncle Joseph put
ting such q thing into the hands of
those awful children I"
"But, Julia, you are eng"
"Noble!" she said sharply.