New Britain herald., 1930-07-15

She reached for a little Swiss ccw-bell and rang it sharply.
 You can clear away" she said to Miss Pitts. Then to Mary Lou, Come along with me. I'll take you around and show you the garden Miss Titherington talked volubly 1 on gardening matters and seeme ei pleased with Mary Lous intelli- | gent comments. Some time later. as they stood in one of the hot houses inspecting some tomatoes, Tony's aunt remarked suddenly:
 Tell me, child, are you playing about with my nephew. or are you s, riously fond of him 2"
 Many Lou wished Miss Tithering- ton wouldn't insist on asking such embarrassing questions. What was her idea, anyway?
 "W-why, I'm fond of Tony, surely" she stammered.
 Miss Titherington nodded.
 That's what I wanted to know. I've always been fond of him my self, yet I can't understand any glrl's wanting to marry him. B 1t then" she chuckled, T don't sup pose we ever can understand why anyone should want to marry our relatives"
 His aunt's disposition was so genial at tea time that Tony de- cided to broach the subject of his contemplated flight as soon as pos sible. There was an opportunity 1hen Mrs Fawsett lured Mary Lo>l upstairs to see a collection of h. dlan brass ornaments.
 Look here, Aunt Ethelberta," he preparations for that flight around the world Remember, I told you about it some time ago."
 "1 remember" Miss Tithering- tons mouth shut like a trap, Tony coughed nervously.
 "And-e--I-I be most awfuily grateful if you would help me
 Help you out? What can do? I'm no mechanic. What are you driving ar?"
 "It-it's about the expense" he began again, this time more diff fidently.
 Well. why on earth didn't you say so in the first place." snapped Miss Titherington.
 Tony swallowed twice in an ef- fort to get control of himself.
 "1 was only trying to be tactf1l, you see"
 Tut. tut. I have no time for tact on this proposition. I've been thinking this matter over for some time, for I knew you'd be after me again soon Here's your answer; the money for this crazy flight Of yours will he deposited in yodr name at the bank on the day your engagement is definitely announced and not before"
 Tony could only stare at her. H. never had expected any such situation IS this Had his aunt gone completely out of her mind What had his engagement to do with the fligh., anyway?
 My agement,' he said weak ly But yoI know that I've never thought Of getting engaged"
 Well, if you haven't thought Of if. I've done it for you. I say again, that from the day your engagement is announced you can rely on rne o back this absurd flight of yours. That's settled. Do you under stand 9"
 His ciearot was burning Tony's fingers. but h. didn't notice it.
 My engag ement to whom?" he asked
 His aunt gave him a contemptu- ous look
 ITO this new girl. Mary Lon. Of course. Shes nice girl, sen r.ble and unspoiled. You're lucky to get her She'll make you a capital wife" She raised hand when Tony started 10 speak.
 No. won't hear q word O. protest. You've played around too long. It's high time you settled down to become a useful citizen. Unless you persuade Mary Lou to . become engaged to you. therell be no flight as far as I'm concerned. My mind is made up"
 With that she stalked impressive lv out of the room. Tony knew only too well of his aunt's stub " bornness.
 He was moody and silent as he drove Mary Lou homeward. The day had started out well enough, but now he felt that he was in the devils own mess.
 Mary Lou had impressed Aunt Ethelberta. There vas no doubt