Middletown transcript., 1878-03-23

Of young clergyman, who boarded
there.
"Your reverence, can I get you to
procure marriage license giving the
names,) and to wait here till J come
for you, if it's twelve o'clock ?"
"Why, you are crazy. You have
said nothing about the marriage be-
fore"
1T is a little singular, but you act
as direct, and will explain to your
full satisfaction afterwards
He dashed into the tenement house,
up stairs two steps at time. Instinct
led him to knock at the right door.
He wrapped. Silence, brief silence,
and the door was opened by Lena
She started back, with her hand to
heart, and would have fallen but for
the aid Of the door handle. Ernest's
eye noted the contents Of the room at
glance. It was neatly, but poorly
furnished. A young girl, whom he
recognized as formerly Of their village,
sat there in dumb amazement.
"Ho! ho! Miss Lena! Did you
think to escape me? It must have
been guardian angel that brought it
futtering to my feet in the hotel yard. Z
"Hast thou found me, oh mine enc
my"
Enemy, pshaw! Your best friend.
LII tell you what I'll do with you.
I'm not betting man, but LII bet you
solitaire diamond ring against a kiss
that you will marry me before twelve
o'clock tonight"
The friend who had always laughed
at Lena's scruples, now broke in.
"Good! good! Mr.. Norwood. I'm
your friend. There's no help for you
Lena-submit gracefully"
"What absurdity is this? cried Le-
na Indignantly. "Do you mean to
insult me, Mr.. Norwood? Even were
| willing to marry you, and I am as
ever from that, would not be forced
to it
"Well, well, suit yourself. It's a
free country. But, mark my word.
The minister will have the license
ready in few moments. And he is
going to sit up all night, if necessary,
waiting for your ladyship to submit to
this nice lite arrangement. And 50
am |, and sitting down very comfort
ably, he nodded his head defantly.
This insolence is insuferable, Mr..
Norwood !" said Lena not vsry def
antIy-the ludicrousness of the situa-
tien inclining her to mirth.
Call me whatna you please-until
we are married. But you must either
send for the police, to put me out, Or for
the minister to marry me. You may
have your choice"
Excellent cried the friend.
(Which shall | 60 for, Lena ?" Speak
quickly. ! am dying Of curiosity to
see this business completed in some
way"
Come, Mr.. Norwood, this joke has
gone far enough. We are not in the
habit Of entertaining gentlemen visi-
tors here, and it is getting late. :
'No doubt, no boubt, Lena but
you know tempora mutantur. ct nos
mutamur IN iHis"
"Well, sir" said she rising, "you
can sit here as long as you wish =
Then she opendd the door.
Il suppose that is a general way Of
saying, "There's the doorp | see it's
door. A very poor apology for one
too. Needs paintingo
"Mr. Norwood it is ten o'clock.
Girls like US, who have their living to
earn, should not be deprived Of their
rest BY such unseemly intrusions."
"Yes-living to earn is good; IN
seemly intrusion is good. In fact, all
very geod."
Come, Lena, Tn getting sleepy,
said the friend, yawning, while she
sent a look Of intelligence to Ernest,
which said, Don't give upr'
"Amy, We cannot afford to waste
time let Us 60 on with eur work"
ooh, certainly said Ernest, as they
resumed their craft, making wax-fow-
ers. q see! see wax figures. In
the show business, are you not?"
Il suppose you know that this visit
Of yours will be the talk Of the neigh
borhood, Ernest?"
Eyes They will say, What Do
you think the bride was dressed in ?
White kid shoes and green glass breast.
pinY'
Ernest, you are too provoking fol
anything"
1T seems to me that the provoking
is on your side. J"
"You are cornered at last, Lena, =
said Amy. "I see no way of escape,
furthermore, / have made up my mind
that | ,oiH not 60 for the police and
will 90 for the minister"
''To think Of that poor young theo-
logian waiting in the hotel parlor
Have you no feeling said Ernest.
Il, for one, cannot endure it," said
Amy. Il am going for his reverence
l.4I - a.J - ,.l - l..