The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1932-02-26
s-s-st
. THE RUNAWAYS
BY H. IRVING KING
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

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90 by Mcclure Newspaper Eyndicatel
tWNU Servicel
EDITH JAFFREYS had two admir-
~ ers who counted-W William Lester
and George Calton. AS q rule, Lester
was away ahead Of Cation In the race,
but just now a quarrel with William
had brought George within measure
able distance of the winning post.
The quarrel was about-well, sew
eral things; one thing leading to an
other, as they will when two positive
characters get to arguing-smoking
by women. bobbed hair, ''ships and
shoes and sealing wax and cabbages
and kings"
The first time Edith had refused
George Calton, George felt that life
had turned to dust and ashes Each
subsequent refusal left him less and
less afflicted. Edith had become
merely habit with him, but she had
so long been the object Of his dreams
that he thought she was so still and
made love to her automatically.
The evening after Edith's great fare
up with William, George made his
semi-annual proposal. This time 1t
went. Edith, when are you going to
throw over Bill Lester and marry me?"
"Mr. Lester and 1. with my consent,
will never meet again." she answered.
"And, George, will marry you at any
time."
George was amazed at his own SEN
sations. He knew that he ought to be
delIriously joyful; but subconsciously
he had feeling Of dismay.
The answer flashed across him sud
denly. Helen Marlowe! Yes, hang
1t he was in love with Helen Mar
lowe and engaged to Edith Jaffreys.
George groaned as deeply on this, the
first night that Edith had accepted
him. as he had on the first night she
had rejected him.
Edith, after George had gone, at
first fairly gloated over the hopeless
agony that William Lester would suf-
fer when he learned of her new en-
gagement. Then she began to be sorry
for him. and by the time she turned
off the light and got into bed she was
crying. Next morning she thought:
"If William will only apologize for
his outrageous conduct perhaps I
night-but I'm engaged to Georgew
She was moody and irritable all day.
revolving impossible schemes to ex-
tricate herself.
George had proposed and been ac-
cepted on Wednesday. Thursday he
did not show up. Friday afternoon
Edith packed her bag. She had
great aunt living out on Long Island.
Meantime George had been going
through the same mental processes as
Edith. II shall go crazy If think
Of this much longer" thought he. II
can't face this girl I'll disappear for
awhile; that's what I'll do. Something
may turn up in the meantime"
He packed his bag and bought
ticket for Champville, Long Island.
1t was small town. He had never
been there; but he had heard 1t had a
good hotel which was open the year
round. At this season the hotel would
not be likely to have many guests and
there was no chance of encountering
anyone he knew.
Five people got off the train at
Champville. Three Of them hurried
through the little station to waiting
automobiles. Two stood on the plat
form and stared at each other in con-
Edith
"Why George!"
"Why Edith"
Silence for a minute and then:
'Were you going somewhere?" from
George.
"Oh, no." said Edith, "were your"
"Of course not" replied George, try
Ing to assume a look Of childlike inno-
cence.
Just then an automobile came rush
Ing up to the station on the further
side and two familiar voices were
heard in the waiting room.
81 knew we should not get here by
the time the train did," said the voice
of Helen Marlowe.
"What's the difference?" replied the
voice Of William Lester; and then he
and Helen saw George and Edith
standing there staring at each other.
With joyful cry Helen rushed out,
William followed more cautiously, as
not entirely sure of his reception.
"Then you got Jack Huntington's wire
all right?" cried Helen. You see, In
making up his house party, he quite