The Red Cloud chief., 1874-07-18

Have you eves been, TO Spaiani?
BE- a-ked, graspins at tie first idea
that came into HE head. a. drowning
men clutch At straws.
I'd like to have you come up
said Sir. Bundle, ., . loss to think Of
any thing to say. and determined that
the conversation should not revert to
the dear departed Mr.. Blake.
would you, now, really, Mr.. Bum
bic ?" asked the widow, smiling into
his face. "YOu men are $3.50 fond
Of testing US poor women, you know,
that We can hardly ever tell when
you re- in earnest. But I do believe
you re in earnest this time. | would
like 20 come up aud see you, | assure
you"
%"I..put my foot in it this time"
sroaned the bachelor. "She'n pro-
pose before We get home" Then
aloud, be added. YES, I'd like to
have you and Belinda come up and
stay as long a. you like"
What if l should like to stay for
life ?" laughed the widow. "Ohl'
suddenly appearing to norice what she
had said, I'm SO impulsive. Mr..
Bundle, that I never stop to think.
What can you think Of me
Mr.. Bundle tried to say something,
but the word, stuck in his throat, and
produced only an uninsellible sound.
'You wish l would? Was thst
what you said, Mr.. Bundle 2" e1-
claimed the widow, srchly. "Oh,
Mr.. Bundle! Did you really mean
that ?"
"I--1idn't say it," exclaimed the
suffering man driven to desperation.
'You-you misunderstood me, ma'am.'
"Oh, l did! Excuse me. d."
pleaded the widow how could | have
been 40 mistaken"
MIR. Brumble didn't remember the
| incidents Of the walk very clearly when
he reached home. He tried 70 shake
her off at the parlor door, but she
wasn't to be got rid of in that way.
Come in and sit down, Mr.. Bum
bic. do" she urged. And Mr.. Bum
BILE, cursing himself al the while for
being such q fool, allowed her to draw
him into the parlor, after the fashion
of the Hy and the spider, and there he
sat and suffered for three mortal hours.
More than once he thought the import
ant moment had come and that she
was about to PROFOUND the awful ques-
ton. But neutrality-suspicious., he
called it-helped him TO avert the aw-
full fate with which must have been
his If she had spoken. and he congrat-
| ulated himself as he reached his cham
Der that he Was still spared to freedom
a little while.
He vent to bed and dreamed. He
thought Mrs. Blade came and in
formed him that she vas going to
marry him the next day at precisely
halfpast ten. 1t was terribly real.
He woke up in q cold and clsmmy
preparation. Hours passed before he
Rlept and then he dreamed. This
time he thought that he ran away to
escape his awful doom, and the widow
followed him and overlook him. "Oh,
you naughty man = she cried, put
ting her arms around his neck "you
foolish man !, 70 think you could get
away from a woman so easily, when
she'd made up her mind to marry
YOU" And then she feel TO kissing
him. and he woke up With a scream
and found himself sitting bolt uprigh,
in bed, with a pillow clutched in hi,
hands a. q defense against his perse-
cutor. He got up and dressed him.
self:
I'm going 10 get ont Of this he
groaned. Il won't stay another day
for any money. 1t amt safe
Ten minutes afterward some one
knocked At Johns chamber door.
Who's theIe?' he demanded.
Me-Timothy,' answered Mr.. Bnm'
bic.
John got up and cam to the doc,
to find out what the matter was.
I'm going home declared Mr..
Bundle. The train goes in fifteen
minutes. l thought I'd tell you ]
was going. SO you wouldn't fee
alarmed
But Timothy
'Tain't no nse,' said Mr.. Rumble,
r~esolutely: L wouldn't stay for any
thing. I'm going now. Take are Of
yourself. Goad-by y. and Mr.. Bumble
was of.
II, half expected to be overtaken
by the widow. and didn't feel safe I'll
he reached home.
Did you enjoy yourself?' ask:d the
old housekeeper, as she got him some
thing to eat. You look all vorr
out
4 be- said Mr.. Bundle. L tel
you, Be,sey, I'm never going ava,
from home again unless | know it.
safe to do 50. I've been prosecuted
yes. Betsey. pcr-cu'ed.' Mr.. Bum
bic heavsd an awful sigh Of relief. Il
any women eve come here that yor