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Fifty Candles

him before. “I don’t imagine you two will object to being left alone,” he said finally, attempting a smile. “I’m going to have a look at the table. Want everything just right.” He crossed the hall and disappeared.

“Well, Mary Will—here I am,” I announced.

“Sure enough,” smiled Mary Will.

“This afternoon,” said I, “at four o’clock, you put me out of your life forever. Twice since then I’ve popped back. And I’ll go on popping, and popping, until you’re a sweet gray-haired old lady, so you might as well take me and have done.”

“Too bad,” mused Mary Will, “about the fog. If you could have seen all those other girls———”

“Don’t want to see them,” I said firmly. “Tell me, how do you like it here in the family vault?”

She shuddered.

“It’s a bit oppressive. I’m going to

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