The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-06-18
l have done every day tor three weeks, and

knowing all your"
ooh, please don't l."
I'm one second; only tell me first that you
care tor me little!"
| Dead silence for a minute.
You mean this for Molly, l suppose =" sale
demure voice.
"For Molly" gasped Temple, trying to pee
through the darkness. "Why-why, who
here | am afraid he said something naughty
who's it?"
II am Blanche. But will tell Molly fol
you If you like, only-but never mind tina
now"
1t would be rather difficult to describe how
poor Temple felt at that moment. OF course
he had nothing to say, SO Blanche continued
somewhat confusedly, and trying very hare
not to laugh outright.
"You know Molly felt afraid, and wished &c
be with papa, so we exchanged seats. l am sc
very very sorry--indeed l am"
There was pause. Temple was very mis-
cradle. 1t was certainly an awkward situation
to be placed in. He thought the best thing
he could do would be to have urgent business
at Naples, and make his adicus to the Croftons
at Civita Vecchia He was not SO much IL
love that he could not do this easily. He fel,
sure that Blanche would take immense de-
light in talking of it, and would never have
done teasing him. At any rate he would do
his best to prevent her speaking to Molly.
perhaps you will so far obllge me-" he said
"as not to mention what has passed to your
sister,"
"Of course will not, if you do not wish it;
and | Will forget it myself. Let US talk OF
something else"
This was rather difficult to do, but they man
aged 1t somehow. Blanche dong most OF the
talking. And Temple had SO far recovered
from his annoyance by the time they reached
Clvlta Vecchia, that he concluded to postpone
his business IN Naples for a few days at least,
and continue his journey to Rome with the
Croftons
A few weeks later-a lovely night-our little
party were wandering about the Coliseum,
only, strange to say, Molly was dragging her
father hither and thither and making him
play he was gladiator, while Blanche and
Temple were away up as near the sky as they
could get, and were evidently solely engaged
in each other. Presently Molly called out
from below
blanche, papa says come"
So they rather reluctantly prepared to obey,
only Blanche wanted first to look over the
edge into the arena. And Temple was obliged
to hold her very firmly for fear she might fall.
Take care, my darling; one false step and
you would he over"
would i, distress YOU very much, or would
you he making love to somebody else in less
than Il month";
Now, Blanche, will not have you say
that"
well then I won't tease you any more
But depend upon it some day | shall tell Mol
ly you proposed to her. How indignant she
will bel She takes it for granted that all the
world knows she is engaged to her cousin
What fun it would have been to have heard
her say, Il am sure never gave you any en-
enlargement, Mr. Templer" And Blanche
laughed archly, and spoke just like Molly,
blanche, you naughty child, If you say an
other word about lt-I'll-cut out the cousin
yet"
Indeed, then, you will not, for / happen,
oddly enough, to have taken a fancy to you
and shall keep you for myself
Temple replied IN the most touching man
ner, and they clambered down the old steps
and wandered about from light to shadow
among the arches for awhile, till Mr.. Crofton
lost all patience and Molly got quite pouty
But that was easily to be understood for il was
many long year ago" since Papa Crofton
had been in love, and Molly was only tiny
little bit envious--the cousin" was so far
away.
At last, however, Temple and Blanche
crossed the moonllt space to the cross in the
center of the arena, where Mr.. Crofton was
seated, resting from his gladiatorlal labors
And they returned to their carriage and rat
tied through the narrow streets back to their
hotel
The wedding was fixed for that day month
Temple considers himself the luckiest fellow
in the world.
For suppose" said he to me in confidence
81: had been Molly in the banquette, after all
and had popped you know, and she had pre-
ferred me to the cOusinm
But the case is an exceptional one, and my
advice to you still is to beware of a banquette