The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-06-20

AsroRY OF LEAP YEAR.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

one of those young men who believe most lmpilc-
lily in themselves, and are consequently, be-
ieved in by the world in general.
But Mr.. Vane's bevy of pretty cousins evident.
" differed frsm him this once.
"Nonsense, is it :" said Barbara Drewitt. just
wait and see, Master Royal. Leap-year is SOL
id fact you'll find, and no felton,
''Tc be sure' added Anne Tighe, holding up
a screen between her plump face and the fire, Il
know ever many old maids and widows who
have only been waiting for the dawn OF the year
1868, to assert their new rights and privileges"
Royal looked from one to the other little du-
biously.
"Yes; and do you know added Mary Drew
lit, in mysterious whisper, "there has been a
regular list of bachelors and widowers printed
for private circulation, and Royals name is on
itw
Have you got a copy" demanded Vane.
"Of course | have
"Let me see it-there's q jewel"
'1ndeed no." said Mary shaking her head until
ti,o yenow curls danced like fairy feet about her
temples.
'Honor among womanhood All have to say
is, look ont for yourself Royal. If you are not
married before the year is up /, for one, am
nightly mistaken
Il can't very well be married against my will,
Isuppose"
Cant you though. There's no saying what
may happen, when two or three hundred thous-
and energetic woman make up their minds
Royal Vane moved uneasily in his chair, and
laughed forced laugh.
You really want to make one believe that
there are women actually bold and uuieminne
enough to-"
ITO demand theil rights yes, that is exactly
the idea | wish to convey
Rights, indeed what do you call their
rights"
Mary Drewitt glanced UP at the clock
Its altogether too late to begin tonight, on
the vexed and disturbed question OF woman's
rights. Why, it would take us two hours to de-
fine our platform wouldn't it, girls Take your
hat, Royal Vane, and go. home, and pray to your
guardian saint whoever he may be, TO protect YOU
from all old maids and Designing widows"
Mr.. Nane departed. rather discomfitteG by this
novel view OF the perilS and dangers of gay young
bachelors life.
''Ihey can't be in earnest-its only their nom
sense he muttered to himself, as ne strobe mood
lily along the streets "but if there should be anv
shadow OF foundation to it."
He involnntarily wiped the cold dew from his
forehead.
Meanwhile the merry group OF girls he had
left behind him were coiaparin. notes very
much to his disadvantage
''Hes a conceited popiniay, if he is my cousin"
said Barbara Drewitt; land the way he has
treated Constance Martin is perfectly disgrace
tul-tiirting with her until the poor little thing
was ready to believe him desperately in love.
and then cody turning round to sun himself in
the light of some newer attraction ~
Its shame" said Anne Tighe. "They saw
Constance is just going into decline"
more fool she, to let any man alive exert
such an influence as that over her." said MaIv
"But you know Mary, we're not all oonsti-
tuted alike" chimed III TIE soft.hearted Alice
Bruce
"Well, at all events, he ought to be punished
for trifling cruelty with her affections" said
Barbara.
"And he dtaN be ~ pronounced Mary Drewi.t
with an emphatic nod OF the yellow curls
"Come, girls, here's an opportunity to avenge the
wrong oi The sex. just all of you keep still-stop
whispering, Alice Bruce--and I'll tell Won the
incest idea that ever popped into an eighteen
year-old head"
And to rapt and listening audience, Miss
Drewitt sketchcd an outline ofaction that would
not have discredited Bismark's self.
Royal Nane was sitting in his Office the next
afternoon, smoking very excellent cigar, and
ieisurely looking o"er pile of legal documents
when there came resolute "thump thump,
thump, at the door of his room
Come in said our hero, laying down the half
consumed weed.
The door swung open with Il creakine sound,
and there filed in an apparently interminable
procession. First came Il venerable old lady. in
black bombaAine, spectaclos, and mouse colored
1urs next skinny female, hopeless, and atten-
uated III figure: next plump old maid in nlass-
es and full suit of Boomers; next-but here
Royals eyes became bewldered. He dragged
forward chairs and stools with reckless haste
'Be seated, ladies' pray. What can have the
pleasure of doing for you this afternoon =
The Bloomer lady, who had taken m her
stand on the hearth's rug, with her back to the
hre, IN rather masculine attitude here consult
ed paper which she took from her pocket
"Let-me-see-you are Royal Vanc, believe
lawyer by Observation-Disclosures wears old
and unmarried"
a chill paug struck to our hero's heart. Was
that paper thc dread List" he had heard of. and
was he now the victim of Il female .Ngilancc
Committee He bowed and awaited furtbor
developments. with a sort of forced cal,nncsS
We'll, Royal old boy said the Boomer civ.
ing HIM an ottable slap on the shoulder ..Its
me 7" "" ''N'
Like YOU stammered 3lr. Vanc. hushinr
10 the very roots at his hair; "I--I--don't like
you at all ~
Avn. Mittened, en- :" was the fair ones comment.
men We tired my chance and failed. Hope
the next fellow will have better taste that's ali
Come On, Amarintha Fowle: il, vonr trrr
now" ''' YOUR '"rh
Ana Amarinthia took her turn and so did the
ola LADY In bombazino---the ''Wilow Hotchkiss "
by name; and aid Maria Means and sn 1iJ'
Out al thiS stage OF affairs Royal Vane iumped
over WIDOW ii9tchkss' hastily interposed um.
preia' rushed down stairs and made straight
ioi n4S o,atd'hS,honsr never resting until he
had locked, barred and bolred himself .afai, ~
"Goad Apollo " he gasped, wpng the streams
OF perspiration from his throbbiny brow. "wbat