The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-08-21
4 PRETTY LITTLE STORY.

around Win Drown laSleS anu Guy uiii!-
pie that sometimes came out on her cheek
and sometimes on her chin, but always
where you least expected it. And, moro
over. T have no objection to impart to the
reader, lin strict confidence, of course,)
that she was my Minnie-mine, by virtue
of the diamond engagement ring that
sparkled so knowingly on her little LETT
hand. So of course I had the privilege
of tantalizing her, and used it, too:
"\yoman's curiosity p said l, with q
shrug of my shoulders, ''and feminine
jealousy"
aNonsense!" said Minnie, coloring up.
"I. suppose men are nevor curious nor
Jealous, either? 2"
' Never quoth I, with smile of calm
superiority. .,
sT think ma chere, your curiosity and
the other emotion-neod little discip-
linc~
Now, why on earth I wanted to be so
provoking, can't tell; the natural per-
versity of man, most probably, for there
was no other reason that [ should not
have told Minnie Rives just why I was
obliged to go home early that evening"
Masonic lodge meeting, and nothing more
important.
She did not say a word, but turned qui-
city away and went up stairs for my little
Bouquet of heliothrope and geranium
leaves that she generally fastened into
my button-holc before I went away. And
in the very instant that she closed the
door, I saw the downward futter of a lit
tie slip of white paper from, her dress.
Instinctively I stopped to pick it up (;
and as stopped, could not avoid read
ing the characters inscribed thereon, in a
eloar, masculine chirography:
"5. n.-At Mason & Dobelrs. No
disappointment this time E. NJ"
I felt the crimson flush mounting to my
temples in burning current, as [ read
: NJ" Didn't remember that Edward
Mason was Minnie's second cousin, and a
provokingly handsome fellow at that {?
Had l forgotten that people used to think
what ''pretty couple" they'd make be-
:. fore stepped to the tapiS "E. NJ" }" in.
deed! And I clenched my fists involun-
tarily as crumpled the paper inside its
grasp.
s.And what are you looking for, Min
nie.?"
She stood with one hand resting lightly
on the door-knob, glancing uneasily round
the floor, while there was a guilty flush
ON, hercheek.
"sI-that is-have you seen little slip
Of paper lying about?"
stNow
I uttered the falsehood with deliberate
oalmness, even while the tell-tale billet
lay in my hand.
So-she was anxious about it, eh She
didn't like the idea that should have an
insight into her little arrangements with
s"E. NJ" All! false and fair-all women
are alike.
III am going"
"Good night!'
I held her hand moment in mine; but
L did not kiss her as usual-tho iron had
entered far too deeply into my soul for
that.
: "5-11." Of course the whole thing
was as plain as daylight. To-day was
the fourth of the month"; was simply
san appointment for the morrow, at eleven
o'clock I ground my teeth as the truth
flashed across my brain. "No disappoint-
ment this, timew I would like to have
challenged Edward Mason to mortal COM
bat on the instant, were it not that duels
were entirely out of fashion. What busi
ness had he to lay down the law to my
Minnie? But there was one comfort
Jack Dobell was my old friend; he would
not see me wronged if he could help it,
and promptly resolved to appeal to Jack
for aid and justice.
I glanced at my watch. Nine o'clock
too late for the Masonic meeting, and oer-
tainly too late to seek out Mr.. Dobe!l, who
was at his counting g-house long before this.
And so lighted the gas and sat down to
chew the cud of my own bitter medita-
tions. The more I meditatcd on my in
inries, the more furious became, until, as
tho clock chimcd midnight, took my
final resolve.
/ will not be made fool of will cast
her off as unworthy Of my love; but first
I will possess myself of a clue to this
great my ystery and accuse her boldly to
her face
So 1 went to bed to dream ftfully all
night of the monster sheets Of phospho-
resent paper, with "E NJ" dancing
scarlet fire all over the eXpanSe.
"Is Mr.. Dobell in 7'
Yes, Mr.. Dobell was in, and one of the
clerks respectfully ushered me into the
little private Office where my friend Jack
was sitting over voluminous pile of let
ters.
"Dobol!, I want you to do me a great
favor-will you?"
"Certainly, if l can"
'f looked up at the clock-it wanted
just fifteen minutes to eleven, and hur-
riedly confded the whole story of my
wrongs to Jacks hones5 breast.
He stood stroking down his red whis-