Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-09-07
Selected Mlisfellanu
CHECK BEFORE MATE.

There was the invitation, and knew
Winnie must have hand in my getting
it, but all the same | was miserable, de-
jected, jealous, and-twenty-one. At
last after declaring l would not 60
dozen times, vowed I would.
"Ill get an answer, yes or no." said
"A girl has no business to triAe like
this with mans feelings"
| looked-accidently, of course-in
the glass as | said this, and this is what
| saw-a fair, boyish face, with COM
plexion like girls, and every scrap of
buff scraped off to make it grow more
strongly.
was annoyed with my face. my ap-
pearance, my dress, with everything al
though l was healthy, straight, and as well
dressed as young fellow could be.
1t was 10 o'clock then, and l had been
two hours dressing. | will not relate
how many times | had parted and re-
parted my hair, nor how exercised in my
mind had been as to whether | should
wear the lavender trowers or the pale
brown, and whether the plain blue or the
blue-and-white tic suited me better. -
Suffice it that there was in the plain
blue tie, black coat, pale buff drill vest.
and those beautifully cut, soft, natural
brown trowers, gracefully falling over
patent leather boots, while more glossy
new hat than the one | took out of the
box was never seen.
There was not wrinkle in my pale
straw-colorcd kid gloves when ! started
and as | got out into the bright July
sunshine, | could not help smiling after
all with seif-satisfaction
was by no means the earliest arrival
at The Films, and as ! reached the gate
could see waggonettes waiting. and the
ladies' dresses through the tress as the
merry party strolled about the lawn,
Whiting for the hour to start-cleven
precisely.
How do, jackson p said Winnic's
father. brusquely, as he gave my straw
kldded hand squeeze, and | saw him
run his eyes supcrciliously over my cos
tune, with consequence that hot flush
run up to the roots of my hair, and felt
quite cross as | walked across the lawn
to where Winnie Morris was standing
amid group of friends
II want to have FIVE minutes talk
with you Miss Morris" | said gravcly.
"Will you let me speak to you when VIC
are at the grover
Certainly, Mr.. Jackson" she said,
half laughing at my serious aspect; and
then | was alone and very uncomforta-
BILE; for nobody seemed to make any
advances to me as | stalked solemnly
about
"There's rosebud for you, Fred"
cried, merry voice, and Winnie jerked
one to me out Of basket.
| felt better then, till | saw that she
distributed one to every gentleman 10
the party, when | felt worse.
At last we were off, and ] sat sulkily
at the end Of one Of the waggonettes, for
old Morris had frustrated all my plans
to get near Winnie on the journey down
10 the grove. where the picnic was to be
in honor Of Winnie's eighteenth birthday.
We reached the selected place, and at
last | contrived that Winnie and should
be alone in one Of the glades, where in
impassioned tones spoke of my love
begging for reply.
REALLY, Fred" cried Winnie at last,
drawing away her hand, II don't think
you ought to ask for an answer now, /
have always liked you"
"But / ask for your love- / said,
gloomily.
Why, we are both very young yet,
Fred. and--come, we must get back to
our friends"
"You reject me then p
I'm afraid you are hungry, young
man" said voice that came upon me
like thundcrclap, "or you would not
talk in that Byronic strain. did not
come to listen to you, but if you young
people choose to talk stuff in public places
you must take tho consequences.