Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18


IT did-and I dol"
"A1l right. Then we must have a quarrel
When Aunt Jane comes back from her walk,
III be furiously packing my bag, and you'll be
in your room, sobbng. You'll tell her I'm a
cad and a scoundrel and I'll rush out of the
door shouting that you've destroyed my dearest
Illusions and that I never want to see you
again. And that concluded Dick will be the
end the absolute finish, of William!"
1T sounds very nice and-and dramatic"
said Sylvia.
Suddenly she rose
Where are you going?" asked Dick.
Just into my ROOM" said Sylvia, "to-to
practice sobbing!'
She disappeared into the house Dick saa
still for a moment, puzzling over the queer
note in her voice. Then he got up and followed
her. The door of her room closed. He
knocked
"Sylvia!" he cried.
A mufaed voice answered him.
Go away Pleasel I hate you'll"
Dick stepped back from the door He glanced
indecisively around the living room. On the
wall over the mantel hung Sylvia's shotgun.
The sight of it galvanized him into action. He
went into his own room, pulled his travelling
bag out from under the bed and began hr-
redly to pack.
He had scarcely finished when a commanding
voice called "Sylvie! william!" Dick picked
up his bag and walked out into the living room.
Aunt Jane looked at him. "Willam" she
said. What you dom with that bag IN
your hand?"
I'm leaving" said Dick.
mo- you amt" said the spinster placidly.
you're goin' to stay right here and marry
Sylvie."
Aunt Jane I can't! It's no USE We've had
a quarrel and"
LIE stopped, aware of onninous strategic
movement on the part of Aunt Jane. De.
hberately turning her back on him, she walked
to the fireplace and took down from its pegs
fH1a CHI k4r~r -
stood on the table. Quickly selecting two, she
broke the gun and showed the shells into place.
Dick watched her, fascinated. There was
sharp click as the breech closed
william" said the daughter of the pioneers,
facing her victim, this is your weddin' day.
and you nights well know It, I've telephoned
for a minister to come up here and marry you
and Sylvie right away. He's bringin two wit
nesses. They'll be along any minute now"
But, Aunt Jane" pleaded Dick
young man." interrupted the hardy SPIN
ster, lingering the triggers of the gun, "I never
thought I'd have to take shotgun to you and
Sylvie, but I've wrote the whole town Of Belvi-
dere Wis, that she's goin' to MARI you-and
marry you she will"
"Sorryl But I know you're only blufflng,"
said Dick, and started for the door.
In fash Aunt Jane threw the gun to her
shoulder.
Halt, william!" she cried "or III shootl"
"Oh, mol" implored breathless voice from
the door Of Syvia's room. aunt Jane! Put
down that gun! Dick I mean William!"
Dick turned, and saw Sylvia standing the
threshold of the living room. Her eyes were
red. But they were also shining "Sylvial"
Aunt Jane will shoot! She really will"
ST really will" snapped Aunt Jane.
"Oh, dear!' walled Sylvia, coming forward
II guess I'll just havs to marry you, William!"
Dick drew himself up.
mot at ALL" he said. "a gentleman at least
knows how to die. Good-by, Sylvia! Good-by
Aunt! Great Scott! There's some
coming up the walk! man-and two womell"
Its the minister and his witnesses" an
nounced Aunt Jane.
She dropped her gun to port arms, and
looked triumphantly at the two young people.
"I' just step into Sylvie's ROOM" she said,
where can watch the ceremony without
bein seen. I'll stand back o. the door with this
fowln piece in my hands. And don't you for
get for one minute that I've got the drop on
you, William!"
With which final warning, Aunt Jane shoul-
dered her gun and marched into the next room.
Immediately there came q knock ON the front
door. Sylvia and Dick exchanged startled
glances. Then both moved forward, one,
to greet the minister who was to marry them.
I ATE that evening, Aunt Jane departed, IN
grim satisfaction, for Florida Still later
that evening, Sylvia and Dick walked up the
mountain to the spring house. They sat down
ON the bench and looked at each other in the
light OF the waning moon.
We're married. he said. tits incredible but
we are"
Il know it," said Sylvia; and then: oh
Dick! I've got an awful confession to make to
you. haven't played fairl Last night, when
1 was talking to Aunt Jane, did something
dreadful"
you told her." he guessed, "that WASN'T
William?"
mo, never told her that. just told her
was so IN love with you that I'd die If
couldn't have YOU"
"Sylvia!"
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