Evening star., 1932-11-13
GEORGE r. PILGRIM

lights had Just as suddenly come on again
An ordinary enough occurrence certainly:
but what had made 1t amazing was the TACT
that Daphne bad entirely disTegarded it-had
gone on speaking evenly just If nothing had
happened.
"Win that do?" she repeated
Tony nodded trine absently.
''Why-er-yes OF course. generous atti-
tude, think" And then. quite suddenly, the
solution TO the problem dawned on him. "Oh.
my dear !" he said breathlessly.
Her head lifted sharply.
what happened'" she asked him. How
did you guess?"
THE lights went out just now," he explained
steadily. while you we're talking. And you
went on-without noticing anything"
"Oh, see" She nodded slowly. And
they've come UP again now?"
Tony nodded
"Tm sorry it happened" the girl said softly.
"and yet I'm glad. I've been wondering how
I could tell you And now I won't have to.
OF course you understand now why I was 30
much against our ever meeting-why was 30
sure it'd spoil everything
Tony sat forward in his chair.
But, my dear" he protested quietly, 1t
doesn't spoil everything. 1t doesn't even spoil
anything. told you yesterday that loved
you. I do still And if you'll marry me,
Daphne, I'm be very proud"
THERE came the sudden sound of voices and
] footsteps outside.
A second or so later the door opened and q
short, plumpsh little woman with folded
newspaper in her hand came bustling into the
room.
Daphne, my dear" she began
Daphne stood up.
"Why-auntiel"
The plump little woman completely ignored
Tony and rushed over to where Daphne was
standing
"Mv dear she walled hreathlesslv ai,,sk
look at what that son of mine has done nowl"
She pushed the newspaper into her niece's
hands. Hes going to marry that horrible
show girl after ALI just look, my dear-read
it!"
Daphne's head was bent over the newspaper
and her cheeks were crimson
As the door closed behind her aunt. Daphne
turned and found Tony apparently interested
in book he'd taken from the shelf.
''Well?" she asked.
He returned the book to its proper place ON
the shelf with quite unnecessary care. But
when eventually he turned around she was re-
heved to find he was smiling
ct hope amused you a lot?" he inquired
politely
mo" She walked over to the fire and
dropped to her knees ON the soft hearth rug
mo, it wasn't just the amusement, Tony.
You see-I wanted to scare you Off When
you asked me to marry you on the phone yes
terday-it all seemed 50 absurd-so mad 1t
Ir1gnEeneu me nttle. we seemed 10 De get
ting out Of our depth. And thought this'd be
the best way of calling halt.
st fixed up that light business with the maid.
There's main switch just outside in the hall.
You see, had an idea that when you thought
you'd discovered was blind you'd suddenly
remember you had engagement somewhere
else-that you'd run of as hard as ever you
could"
"And didn't do that" he said thoughtfully.
She smiled at him.
NO" she said softly you didn't do that"
There was little silence.
Daphne" said Tony.
Yes Tony?"
'Daphne-if were to ask you to marry me
now-would you-would it sound quite so fat
headed-as it did yesterday
"Why-no."
"AEd would tt" Tony hesitated would
it make you think of Rita?"
Daphne laughed softly. H.
Rita" she whispered happily, "must've been
an awful fool"
Tony,s arms went around her.
Hush, darling" he said having duly Kissed
her, you mustn't say such things Of the dear
departed"