The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-26

What pleader you are. Emily" and Waring gave her an admiring | bow; "I am almost persuaded that my very life is In dangerH
 "Oh, you won't be goodg The blue | eyes twinkled but the rosy little mouth took on mutinous bout.
 Mrs. Peyton turned her attention to the tea tray, and wit han air of i'm | portance continued her duties as hostess.
 Bring hot toast, Ito," she said to the well traine dand deferential Jap anese. And a few more lemon slices l see another guest coming"
 She smiled out through the window, | and moment later a breezy young chap came into the room.
 Hello, folkses," he cried: Hello, Aunt Emily"
 | He gave Mrs. Bates an audible kiss | on the pretty cheek and bowed with boyish good humor to Mrs. Peyton.
 How do you do. Uncle Doctor?" and How goes 1t, Lock?" he went on, as he threw himself, e. little sprawlingly, into an easy chair. And here's the fair Helen of Troy"
 He Jumped up as Helen Peyton came into the room.
 Why. Plnky" she said. when did Just now. my girl. as you noted from your orel lattice-and came running down to bask in the sun shine of my smiles"
 Behave yourself. Pinky," admon- lshed his aunt, as she noted Helen's quick blush and realized the saucy boy had told the truth.
 Plnckney Payne, college freshman, and nephew of Emily Bates, was very fond of Dr. Warlng, his English teacher, and as also fond, in his boy lsh way, of his aunt. But he was no respecter of authority, and, now that his aunt was to be the wife of his | fayorite professor, also the presi- dent-elect of the college, he assum- | ed an absolute familiarity with the whole household.
 His nickname was not only an ab- breviation, but was descriptive of his eXuberant health and invariably red cheeks. For the rest, he was just rolicking, care-free boy, ring leader in college fun, often punished but bobbing up serenely again ready for more mischief.
 Helen Peyton adored the irrepres- sible Pinky, and though he liked her, it was no more than he felt for. many others and not so much as he had for few.
 Tea. Mrs. Peyton? Oh, yes, in- deed, thank you. Yes, two lemon and three sugar. And tossts-and cakes -oh, what good ones? What a trck! Alma Mater doesn't feed us you are married, may come to tea every day? And bring the fellows?
 "Fn answer that-you may" said John Waring.
 And I'll revise the answer-you may, with reservation" Mrs. Bates supplemented. Now, Pinky, you're dear and g sweet. but you can't annex this house and all it's affairs, just because it's going to be my home"
 Don't want to. Auntie. I only want you to annex me. Youu keep the same cook we have at present won't you?"
 He looked solicitously at her, over a large slice of toast and jam he was devouring.
 ton spoke up. Cooks are not al- ways anxious to be kept"
 "At any rate, we'll have a cook, l Pinky, of some sort" his aunt as- sured him, and the boy turned to tease Helen Peyton, who was quite willing to be leased.
 T saw you beau today Helen" he said.
 (Which one?" she asked placidly.
 "Is there a crowd? Well, I mean the Tyler person. Him IS hangs out at Old Salts. And, by the way, ~ previous on both counts. but you'll soon have the honor of being both president and my uncle-by the way, I say, Bob Tyler says there's some thing in the wind" "A straw to show which way 1t blows, perhaps" Waring said. Perhaps, sir. But it's blowing. Tyler says there's a movement on foot to make things hot for you if you take the presidential chair with your present intentions.
 My intentions?"
 "Yes, sir; about athletics. and sports in general"
 And what are my so-called in tentions?"
 They say you mean to cut out
 "oh, Pinckney. you know better than thatr'
 Well. pr. waring, some seem to think that's what you have in mind. If you'd declare your intentions
 Took here. Pinky, don't you think I've enough on my mind in the mat ter of marrying your aunt, without bringing in other matters till that's sottled2
 Going to be married soon. Uncle
 we arc. As soon as your aunt will select a pleasant day for the ceremony. Then, that attended to, can devote my mind and energies to this ether subject And meanwhile, my boy, if you hear talk about, it, don't make any assertions-rather, try to hush up the subject"
 "I see-I see-and l will, Doctor Waring. You don't want to bother tied down married man! I know just how you feel about 1t. Impor- tant business, this getting married dare say, sir"
 "It is-and so much so that I'm going to take the bride-elect off right ncw for little private con fab. You must understand that we have mucbr to arrange Run alcng-bless you, my chil- dren" Pinky waved a teacup and a sandwich beneficently toward the pair as they left the room and went ofs in the direction of the doctors study.
 The house was a large one, with a fine front portico upheld by six | enormous fluted columns.
 One of tke most beautiful of New England doorways led into a wIde nall. To the right O. th'3 was the drawing room, not so often used and not so well liked as the more cozy
 living room, to the left as one en- tered, and where the tea-drinking group rcw sat.
 Further pack, on the living room | side. was the dining room, and be- side II, hack of the drawing room, was the ooctors study This vas the gem of the whole fruse. In, floor had been sunken to give greater ceiling height. for the room was very large, and of fine propor- tions. It opened on to the cross hall with wide double doors, and | flight of six or seven steps de- scended to it's ug-covered floor. Opposite the double doors was the great fireplace with high over man tel of carved stone. Each side of the