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4-Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, September 28, 1983 (Story continued) The next morning he was out of the hotel before breakfast and went over to Henry Peerie's friend in the Strand to browse, his collection collection of small town newspapers. He stopped for coffee on the way and because he chose to walk the' whole way he arrived thpre at about 8:15, Crossley liked to walk as much as possible because although he only limped very slightly with his left leg, he always had the feeling without a lot of exercise, exercise, it might possibly deteriorate. . - Like most offices in England this one was at the top of a long narrow stairway. Seemore Bennet was the name of' the contact. The man ran a kind of research service for magazines and newspapers. He turned out to be a really nice man, rotund and jovial, and his secretary, Miss Elsie Beardsley, was just a mine of information. She could quote facts and figures verbatum and would dive into into a file every time he mentioned mentioned a topic and produce dozens of clippings on the subject. She was at a guess about 50 years old and had worked for Mr. Bennet for over 20 years. The office itself was about 30 ; feet by 25 feet and was surrounded surrounded by high shelves stacked with newspapers, magazines, books and files. The desks of the two employees stood in the middle middle of the room and apart from a large table, a hat rack and two spare chairs - this was the whole organization. Bennet was interested in Crossley's project and was able to supply him with just about everything he required to finish his article. They worked feverishly throughout the day and Miss Beardsley even brought in the .luncheon. .luncheon. . Meanwhile, back at the hotel, some surprises were in store. About 12 noon that day Mr. and the brand new Mrs. Brooks arrived back at the hotel! "Freezing cold in Brighton," said Ethel to startled Egbert Simkins. "Even Jimmy boy couldn't keep me warm." 1 Brooks then explained to his daughter the hotel there was no where near the standard standard of the Buxton and he might as well spend his honeymoon here. Millicent was in shock for a short time, she thought about those expensive clothes hanging hanging up in her wardrobe and although her stepfather never went into her room, she didn't know what to expect from his new wife. Fortunately Fortunately she had a trunk from when she went to boarding school and she later folded them and put them in there ROMANCES hiding the key in a safe place. "Simkins, who was only temporary could stay oh til the end of the week," decided decided Brooks. "That would give him and his bride a chance to ' hit the town and get some extra extra sleep." The latter remark causing Ethel to laugh hysterically while nudging Brooks in the ribs and wink- ' ing profusely with her left eye. i Millicent thought her stepfather stepfather would be a mass of bruises before long. Mrs. Brooks turned out to be a pest right from the moment moment she moved in. First she sent old Simkins out with a barrow to bring her things. ■ from her previous lodgings, making Millicent do double duty by looking after the desk as well as her housekeeping chores. Simkins had to make three journeys to bring all her stuff over which consisted of some tacky pieces of furniture, piles of flamboyant looking clothes and two large Persian rugs that she claimed had been given to her by an admiring admiring Persian Prince visiting London. Soon things were being moved out of the private quarters and stored in the cellar to be .replaced by the belongings of Ethel. Even Brooks himself was shattered, shattered, in spite of his many faults, he was a man of good taste and these pieces of junk were anything but. As it was his honeymoon he apparently decided to keep quiet. Simkin on the other " hand cursed and grumbled all day. He even muttered awful things-as he passed Ethel, but everytime she strained her ears to make out what he was, saying, he changed it to something else. The woman decided he was just a senile old man. By the time Crossley got back at 5, the debris had been cleaned away, but he was shocked to see Ethel overflowing all over the desk when he walked in. "Oh its the romantic story writer," she giggled, and then # proceeded* to tell him about the awful time they'd had at Brighton and how they were going to have their honeÿmoom right here at the hotel. "Hope we don't disturb you dear - if you know what 1 mean," she called called after him as he went upstairs. "That disgusting woman is . going to ruin this place," he declared, "and neither Janies Brooks or Millicent are going to have a business at all." Millicent was in his room turning down the bed; she didn't say anything as he entered and was about to leave without a word but he caught her arm and stopped her. She.tried to work herself free but he held on. "Don't you speak to me anymore?" he asked. "Of course I do," she pouted. "Will you go to dinner with me if your parents go out?" "No," she said surprised that he would ask such a thing. "He'd kill me if he found out." "Okay I'll send out for dinner and have 1*1 delivered here," he compromised. "What if Someone saw me come in and kept a check on how long 1 stayed?" she asked. asked. "We'll be very careful," he suggested. "I don't know," she said with a toss of the head, still showing some hurt from the night before. "'Look," he said, turning her towards him. "I'm sorry I upset you last night." "That's alright," she said pretending not to care, and then she looked up at him with those big brown eyes and he melted. The next thing he knew he had put his arms around her and giving her no chance to resist, he kissed her passionately pulling her closer and closer to him until she slipped her arms around his neck and responded to that passion. When their lips slowly parted, he stood back a moment keeping his arms around her waist. She removed removed her hands from his neck and just stood there with a sly smile on her face, looking up at him again. He didn't say anything for sometime, he just gazed back at her and then he Whispered, "1 think you'd better go now, they might be looking for you." She nodded and slipped away from him she paused at the door and looked back and smiled, "See you later," he said. "I'll be here," she replied softly. Crossley could have leapt fifteen feet into the air, he had a quick wash, changed his shirt and headed right back into the street to find a restaurant that would deliver food and a bottle of champagne. champagne. He found a place on John Street and he placed the order, it was only a cold hamper but he was in no mood to be picky, however he did say he wanted it delivered discreetly and the man said he understood. On the way back down George Street, he 1 almost skipped down the sidewalk, a few people looked at him as he went by. He broke into a whistle halfway to the Bux-. ton and when he reached the door he stopped and in spite of his infirmity he took the three steps in one leap and stumbled through the door much to the surprise of Hobbs. "Have the happy couple gone out?" he inquired. "You're lucky sir, you just missed them," he said, and then went on to complain about the new mistress. "She's awful hard on Miss Millie sir," he sighed. "She's been running her ragged, ah awful pity - such a nice girl," he added. Crossley had to agree with him and gave him a couple of shillings for a drink, having warned him about the forthcoming forthcoming hamper. Back in the room he fussed . around making up the fire, rearranging the chairs so they could be closer together and he drew the drapes that wrapped wrapped all the way around the bed. At seven fifteen the " hamper arrived and he tried to arrange the two liftlc tables elegantly, there were china cups and plates, silverware, crystal and' table linen - and for that extra touch the old man had included a candle . and a rose. He checked his watch at 7:30 arid he held his breath expecting her to knock any moment - 7:31 - 7:32 - 7:33 - he sighed with relief - there was a knock and the door opened. In' the glow from the firelight she looked like an apparition. She was wearing her new dress, she smiled ■ when he told her how beautiful she was and he walked over and escorted her to her chair. "Champagne madam," he handed her a glass. The bubbles bubbles tickled her nose and she giggled in the most attractive way. "Let's make à toast," he said raising his glass. "To us." "To us," she smiled. ' Even now he couldn't believe he was saying these things, he couldn't really understand what was happening happening to him and yet in spite of her years, she knew; she had realized earlier that day that he was falling in love with her, and she with him. That evening they talked for an hour before he worked up the courage to move over to her, and when he did he placed bis hands upon her face and kissed kissed her. She put her fingers in his jacket lapels and pulled him closer towards her and the following few minutes seemed like hours. He ha never known this feelings before, even though he had known many women. Suddenly Suddenly she pushed him gently away and whispered, "It's Cinderella time - I have to go,," and he instinctively helped her up from the chair even though he didn't want her to leave. As she stood he moved forward for another kiss, but she placed her ■ fingers on his lips and told ■" him she couldn't afford to stay any longer and take the risk of being caught. After she had gone, he sat for almost two hours pondering pondering this impossible situtation. If he thought of marrying her he couldn't because she was under age; if he took her back to the states where he ■ could marry her - he could be charged with kidnapping. What a dilemma he was in, he had not even admitted to himself yet that he loved her and yet he was having all these thoughts of marriage. He sat back and decided the whole thing was impossible. 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