Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-12-25
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

she murmured. Then T."
The rest of the sentences 80,
smothcred as III. Hedge stood thp,,
with Constance in his arms. his heat
pounding a hundred beats To the mn,.
ute. Ho did not dare speak. Cor.
stance did not try: it Was too-anlaz.
ing.
After several minute. he venture /
pleading appeal.
II don't know whether I can ia,
straight yet" he said. II suppose
I'm due for another bungle. But I've
kissed the top of your head so often
tEat l just wondered IL you'd let
me-"
She lifted her head--and let him.
II don't deserve this" he said
humbly after an interval.
II don't Yhink I do. either-,aftcr
the way you treated me-" She an.
swered family. IL think I must
DO crazy"
"Why?" -.
For loving you"
"Connie!" He held her of at
arms length. "HonestIy.-do you?"
She looked at him in amazement.
III. Hedge. you are insufferable.'
she exclaimed. do you think IL
let you-kiss me-and almost crush
me to death-if didn't love your"
He seized her again. and they be.
gan once more. from the point where
they had quit fooling.
It was Constance who broke tho
silence finally.
1T seems to me-" she said. as she
ran her fingers lightly. almost curl.
ously. over his hair, that for q per.
son who has abandoned efficiency,
you are still rather sc ~tidc man.
ager. O-o-oh! There-didnt toll
you so. dear7"
Hair an hour later Constance and
II. Hedge were gravely wondering
how they could ever explain It to
anybody. They could not even ex.
plain It to themselves.
There's absolutely no sense in It,"
she said.
Absolutely none." he agreed.
IT'S impossible to give any good
reason"
Impossible"
And yet-well. IT'S DONE"
That's the only explainabIe part
OF Tits done. Nobody knows how:
not oven us."
yet we've got to tell them. Of
course" i
You bot we have! I'm going ,o7
esn everybody. before you change
mo fear. 70. e." she said, gravely.
told YOU e. =. was dead--ex.
uncf."
Nevertheless. I'm afraid TN al.
ways. can you that-or Fl. Hedge. I'm
so used to It. Do you suppose father
will consentf"
WHATS he got to say about ~"
demanded the ex-cniciency man. az
consent, and that's enough. I'm
yonr guardian. you know. give my
o63cial sanction"
But you're too late, my dear. You
resigned. And this-this happened
afterward."
Than I reinstate myself long
enough to express my approval"
mo you don't!' warned ConstanceA
e. D., II you reinstate yourself for
~ much a. y solitary second ri
break tho engagement. don't want
TO know any more efficiency men,
Heavens! Wasn't one bad enoueh?''
IT guess I was awful" ho ad.
n,itted.
"What-in-biases!" said a voice. y
40 they turned abruptly, Billy
Brooke strobe into the room,
Hello. BILL" said Hedge easily.
When did you ncat int"
"Wha,-what's this?"
Constance smiled at her brother
and linked an arm around one Of II.
Hedges.
Conner cried Billy.
why. what's wrong, Biflyfs assseG
the retired efficiency engineer.
Didn't you ever sec sAything Hss
this7"
And he kissed Constance.
Leave my sister aloner' eroVio6
Billy caenacingiy. and this time BE-
plainly meant Il. /.
II don't want him to-" said COM
stance. And don't you iay Hnger
on him. Billy boy. because hA VIA
break you into little pieces. He cAal
can't you, z. E.r -
Her eyes kindied with prido al
memories OF the - Dwowsss OF H
Hedge.
-
kExT cHAPrERs Ptaansa9 81
taebctent eeaebratioa.