The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-14

wouldn't have any! Just imagine how the sister must have been torn
 We whizzed along. There was a wonderful moon. The road was like a white ribbon. You might say that we were the spool and were winding it up for behind us seemed to be nothing but shadows.
 The plucky little soul! Sisters are always saving brothers. and broth CTS hating the good offices. My sis- ter never had any trouble with me, though. I was always more or less of a dud 1 never blew up over . woman.
 But I now began to hear ominous rumblings inside the shell. Maybe it was the moonshine; maybe 1t was the girls nerve and beauty. Any how began to look at life seriously.
 Well. eventually we came to a beautiful stone wall with iron gates, which were open: and we bolted in at SO and stopped with a screech un- der the porte cochere. The girl jumped out. beckon1ng to me to fol- low. We made for one of the French windows and burst in without cere- mony.
 say, what's that Yankee word of yours? I've got it-f1abbergasted, I was absolutely and completely. y'know. There they stood, hand in hand, with a man in chin whiskers and spectacles reading from a book Who? Why. demn it. the aviator chap and the ravfng beauty from the Folliesi Fact,
 "Stop"
 The ancient duffer Ca village mag istrate, I learned, that young Shel- don had picked up on the way out) looked astonishedly over the rim of his spectacles. The brother whirIed and his tan. disappeared for a mo-. ment. But I say. I wish you could have seen those two ripping beauties stare at each other. It was equal to any first night I have ever seen. Dramatic? We'll, rather, Tableau. as the French say. Our ancient broke it
 Why should stop? What the matter?'
 "It must not proceed It is my will" A quiet tone, but lofty chin
 And my will that it shall go on.' said the brother quite as calmly. There was lot of metal here. on both sides. He reached for the show girls hand.
 "Donny." said the sister, you will lose everything you have if you go on with this"
 "Ann,~ he answered, "thiss part of my life is mine. This lady has done me the honor to accept my name. I am fulfilling the terms of mothers will"
 But I did not give you that ring You stole it.'
 That's a hard word. Still. I have it. Ann. If l was rough with you, I'm sorry. But I knew the useless ness of further argument. We are both of us a bit pigheaded upon oc- ra sfn ho
 Stunning name, that-Ann. No non sense about it-dyed-in-the-w wool English. Always like it.
 "Donny. there was another will"
 Another? Proceed. MT. Clarke. I want to be married'
 I say, liked that. What the deuce did he care about wills and codiciis, with the dark beauty by his side, her black eyes burning with opal lights,
 .Donny. if you marry this woman without my consent, your interest n the estate ceases automatically"
 "Ah. And you refuse your. con sent?"
 "Absolutelyr'
 That's your last word?"
 '1t is. I don't purpose to stand aside and see you wreck your life"
 Ann. I have but scant two weeks. Once upon the sea. the greatest matrimonial wreck that ever was will not concern me. There is always a chance that I may not come back. You talk of money. when all l want is little love."
 Are you sure that you are get ting it?"
 'Sonia."-the lad took the show girl by the shoalderS-"Sonia. do you love me?
 You know that I love you"
 Would you miss a miilion?"
 Would you give it up for me-"
 T am giving it up.'
 Then I shan't miss it."
 With laugh the young chap drew Ter close and kissed her. I'd have done the same thing in his shoes. And it hit me between the eyes that hadn't kissed a woman in a deuce of long time.
 ly wasn't interested in anybody else. The bright spots of anger no longer glowed in her cheeks. There was a look of bewilderment in her eyes. This chorus-lady wasn't reading her lines.
 Ann. I've always tried to be a good brother. but if you stand in my way, I shall have to ride over you. That's all there is to it. A hundred times I've tried to pin you down to something definite regarding your at titude, and you have always re- iterated that Sonia wanted my money We'll, she doesn't want it. Neither do l. Let us get to the root of the matter. Out with it."