Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-03-07

"a
worthy in this, excepting from the
fact that James Fitz, James had noi
sooner been introduced to the couple
than he fell desperately in love with
Minnie Hinson, declaring the fact the
same evening to Dick. -r
''It's no use," laughed the latter.
why amt it?''
"She's engaged"
s.What of that! I've busted twenty
engagements in the last year. and 1
enjoy it. '.But, then, | never was
really in love before. / am bound to
have Minnie! She's just my style;
and snch thing as a previous en-
eagement is no obstacle at all. lean
win any girl, Dick; and I've serious
ly thought of offering q reward for the
sight of a lady that can't cause to
tumble into my arms within week,
by the almanac"
Finding the fellow was in dead
esrnest, Dick Brush determined to
give him lesson that would last him
his. life.
He let fall, in accidental way, that
Minnie possessed a cool hundred
thousand in her own right; that she
wos much sought after; and that Tom
Burbank, to whom she was engaged,
wasn't worth fifty dollars in the
world. ...-.....- -.ss
All this made Fitz James more
eager than ever. That little pile OF
money attached to Minnie ccused
him TO take solemn VOW that he
would never go back to Boston until
the lady was secured. ,,-,
The same evening, Dick told the
whole thing to Minnie and Annie.
The mischievous eyes of the former
sparkted, and it was plain that she
was ready for any conspiracy that
would end in the discontinue Of the
conceited young popinjay. ,.
1t was finally agreed that Fitz
James should he given full opportuni-
ty to prosecute his suit, and when he
should reach the point of proposing,
then Minnie would box his ears, AMI
teach him something of which he
rnanifestly stood in sore need.
A complication was threatened in
the coming of Minnie's intended, who
was due in about a week from tEat
day. ..
Tom Burbank was OF an impetuous
nature, and he might be tempted into
extinguishing the fellow who presum'
cd to try to elbow linn aside; but
Dick agreed to manage that portion
Of the conspiracy.
| Dick asked Fitz James whether hC
could not afford to allow him to e
of into the woods on his bunting eX
peditons, while he. the visitor, should
take the ladies in charge.
| Fitz James was only too glad tC
excuse his friend, while he devoted
himself to pressing his suit.
As may be supposed, the girl
managed their part Of the Programme
with great skill.
Minnie and Annie were in eGc5
others society most of the time, b
the latter now and then took herscl
aside 80 that the ardent law-studcu
pushed his siege with unabated vigor
They boated, and picnicked, an'
strolled over the handsome ground
I attached to the estate, until y wee
+ had passed, by which time fitz Jane
was so confident he had won that h
told Dick of it.
, "IIave You proposed?' asked tn
, latter.
"No; I've arranged to DO that to
morrow night--as n mere matter G
form, you know She's dead gone
you know, and is anxious To have III
= put the question. I'm holding off
little to tantalize her, you know; it
cruel. of couea, bnt that's my style
, We're going on little boating rA
cursion--the girls aud I~-and atte
we get back I'm going topop.'
The next afternoon, the boat con
+ tanning Minnie Hinson and Ami
p Brasl, and James Fitz James, wa
moving slowly along the southern
] shore of Crystal Lake, until tayorit
+ spot was reached, when the ston
anchor was dropped, and the it'll
, craft came to rest. q
The sun was 80 low in the sky tbs
\ the shadows from the tall trees wer
| thrown out upon the water beyonl
the boat. -
: Fitz James always brought a!oni
his riile--not that he had any inten
tion of using it, but it looked busi
: ness-like and brave, and was no
without its effect upon his intended
/ She could not fail to admire hi
Y daling, chiyalrous nature, when sh
8 observed the pains which he took t
/ provide against any harm coming t
| her.
8 The fishing lines We're no more tina
81 fairly dropped into the lake, whe
0 Minnie suddenly exclaimed.
"Oh, look there - #
The other two instantly raised thei
eyes, and were astonished at wha
they beheld.
The shore waa less than hundre'