The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-03-23

" Ii L were not actlng Tor my dearest
friend. | could love her myself"
AS time wore on, my friend and Miss
Byrd seemed to become wholly
engrossed with each other He was
almost constantly at her side, speaking
in low eager tones, of me ] doubted
not, while she evidently lent willing
ear as he poured forth my praises. |
would generally sit at little distance,
close enough to watch the proceedings,
far enough, however, to be out Of hear
ing-for who likes to hear the praises
of partial friend
TWAS soon believed by all the guests
at the Springs that Coyd Clinton was
the accepted lover of Miss Byrd. /,
alone, were conscious of the true state
of the case, and how | enjoyed the sur
prise all would experience when j,
Noble Savage, should step forward and
claim the prize woed and won 10y
another2
Toward the close of the season pre-
parations were set on foot for a grand
tournament, and Twas strongly inclined
to enter the lists, but was oyerruled by
Cloyd.
81 Will ride in your place" he sa id
cit will not do for you to take an &C
tive part in the exercises. l will crown
Miss Byrd, if am the svccessul knight.
and, of course, it will be the same thing
as if you did it.
could net ''see it" exactly, but al
lowed him to have his way about it,
being content to "bide my time
loaned CIoyd my horse, and furnished
him with gorgeous costume. He was
noted for his skill in horsemanship, and
fondly expected he would prove Veto,
! in the tourney. My expectations were
realized, and agreeably to his promise,
he placed the wreath Of chiralry OF
Fannle's lovely brow
A few days after the tournament Mr.
Byrd ana family returned to Norfolk,
and Cloyd accompanied me to gram
mas, where he had gave succinct &C
count of all that had transpired. had
every reason to be gratified with the
progress of the seige SO far.
{" My dear fellow" said Cloyd, /" ]
did not think it would be proper tc
make a formal proposal to Miss Byrd
at the Springs, rs / think it would be
best to pay her visit first at her OWL
home, and if it meets your approba.
ton, 1 will go to Norfolk in few weeks,
and feel safe Ill saying that I will bring
back favorable response from the fail
lady"
g You did exactly right l answer
ed " by all means pay her visit first.
When do you propose going?"
. In week OF tive" he said a." but,
Of course, ! will come to see you before
l go, in order to get instructions.
Buoyant now with hope, [ gave my
self up to the most pleasant anticipa
lions, and was extremely anxious fo1
Cloyd to hasten his visit, that [ might
receive the blissful assurance that my
hopes were not vain.
Punctuai to his agreement, my friend
made his appearance just before start.
ing to Norfolk, and [ loaded him with
loving messages TO "darllng Fannie. :
My good, kind friend" [ added.
"try 10 bring the matter to a close al
once, for | live but on the hope of soon
calling Fannie my own. Do not STAY
longer than you think absolutely neces.
sary, for shall be tortured with sus.
pense till your return"
Keep up your courage, my boy, >
said Cloyd, gaily. "You know faint
heart never wins fair lady am quite
sure you have no cause fer nneasi-
ness
On taking his leave [ forced him to
accept one hundred dollars to pay his
expenses. He insisted that half of the
sum would be sufficient.
Dear friend, said /, "you are sacri-
ficing your time for my convenience
and happiness, and | do not intend
that you shall be cramped in your
expenditures while engaged IN ptott,ot-
ing my interest"
''It is no sacrifice, my dear fellow, >
he exclaimed, Ebut rather a pleasure.
am ever ready to serve c friend SC
generous and tue as yourself"
We parted, and he proceeded on lis
way to Norfcllt3 whilst / fingered sor-
to.fuliy at home counting the very
minutes as they passed., SO anxious was
L to learn the issue of his visit A
whole week passed, and then, as / was
sitting at the door watching fof the
return nj He messenger [ had sent tc
the depot. Cloyd himself came in
sight, riding slowly, as if TO torture ne
past endurance.
My heart almost ceased it's functions
as he dIsmounted and approached. but
before reaching hue, he said
Look up, dear Noble, and be hap:
Ply. All is well ~
a long and tervent pressure Of the
hand was my only response, as tears OF
gratitude poured from my eyes.
~ have gained not only her own con.
sent, but also that of her parents. YOU
lucky dog. She is one Of the sweetest
creatures IN existence. But, my friend,
you must yet curb you impatience q
little, for / could not prevail on her to
set the day. She says you must come
pt send aSaiii before she can do that.
You know how women are, old fellow
you must humor them. She says if she
is not worth more than one visit, she
Is not worth having at all. =
Certainly; bless her heart ~ said,
ioyfully She is worth all the world
to me. Well, now, Cloyd, do you think
1T would be best Tor me to go myself
next time, or let you go again p
:" Well, Noble, you can do as YOU
please about that. / am willing to &C
if you desire it and, as I have con
Quoted the matter SO far successfully.
| think 1t would be better perhaps fol
me to go. But OF course that is for you
to decide "
g You are right, Cloyd," answered
1t would be better for you to continue
the siege, as you managed it so well
heretofore When do you propose
going again?
Whenever it suits your couven.