New Britain herald., 1924-09-23

certain young lady and would thank him for the letters which that young lady had written him-in the sunlight, I say, that would seem absurd, especially if were alone. But in the moonlight, and with Mar. jorie nestling against my breast--well, then, somehow things looked different.
 'I'm going dear" told her. "When can l get train?'
 You don't need a train. You can get there and back in your auto in three quarters of an hour.''
 "Who is it?"
 'It--it's Mir. Stannard."
 Honestly, it was almost shame to look grave after that. Good old homely Stan uard. who had married my cousin Cicily, temper and all! Why, he would be only too glad-he would be scared half to death if I only--but then she wanted me to be serious. 'Three quarters of an hour?" I repeated. shall be back in twemy minutes"
 And I was. The only thing that had wor- ried me was the thought that he might not have saved those letters-and that would have been wound to Marjorie's vanity for which, suspected would have to suffer. But, some way or other, Stannard had kept a small corner for romance in his heart, and after two words from me he got the missives-there were only three of them and handed them out over one of his ex- cellent juleps. After that there was bit of trouble with the carburetor and I had to mess around considerably but I made the trip and returned to the porch at the appointed instant.
 Marjorie was waiting in the full glow of the electric from the drawing room window. Well" said with pardonable self-con graduation in my voice, I've done it." And I handed her the packet.
 She took it, looked at it, then looked at me and burst into sudden laughter Yes, sir; just laughed. She tilted back her chin and parted her red lips and We'll, sup pose that, psychologically speaking, a laugh is laugh no matter who laughs it. But Marjorie had on tap an assorted list of laughs.
 What are you laughing at anyway? cant see anything funny"
 Certainly not" she gasped. There's no mirror handy"
 Indeed? I thought you had seen my face once or twice before but never heard you make apy specific objections to it."
 But tits dirty. You have the fun niest smudge of grease all the way from your ear to your chin-no, the other side l- and then when you try to be seriOus-oh, you're only making it worse "
 ''The grime was gained in your service, I resentfully explained, and I rubbed away a square inch of skin.
 ''Then go and wash. said Marjorie.
 I obeyed, came back and we sat close together in a darker corner of the veranda.
 And, Tom" she faltered, you don't you really don't mind?'
 Mind what?'
 Why, that when I was very, very young there should have been somebody else-"
 Absurd" l interrupted, possessing myself of her Quivering hand. "Why, we all go through lot of those things"
 'Oh!" said Marjory, withdrawing her fingers. All. and a lot? Pray, what sort of list is yOurs"'
 sauirmed "I-t-" 1 stammered Well. I never was exactly engaged at all :"
 But you have tried to be-
 "Once-just once. honestly!'
 Yes; that. l suppose, was an affair about which I've heard rumors; the Van Astrens--'
 '"I don't know the Van Astrens!" declared. And, after all, l don't - any more.
 ''H'mi" said Marjorie.
 Properly rehearsed that may be very effective syllable, and Marjorie was letter perfect.
 kept silence Marjorie kept silence.