Democratic messenger., 1881-03-26

manner. It is not you that have de-
ceived anybody, it is /, myself, who
have resorted to ruse and stratagem.
To tell you all in few words, there is
in our country neighborhood certain
little cousin of mine, Annie by name,
and we have been more or less in love
with each other from our childhood.
When came to the city lost sight of
her, and thought / had forgotten her.
met Miss Allonby, and you know how
handsome she is, and / will add how
distressingly rich. That always goes
for something, even with such lofty
minded characters ss myself But she
really is handsome, you must acknowl-
edge, and as witty as she is pretty.
Well, to make long story short, I paid
my addresses, and was accepted. Did
Miss Allonby really mean to marry me :?
I really don't know. But know that,
in visit home last autumn found that
I wished to marry another person.
Annie had grown more beautiful and
affectionate, and / cane back crazy
about her. You may fancy the situa-
tion them I was engaged to one
woman and dead in love with another.
What was I to do? Never was man
in such dilemma. Was 1 to go on and
marry Miss Allonby? That would be
doing her great wrong. Was 1 to go
to her and say, I am sorry, but de-
celved myself. I do not love you, and
cannot marry YOU really don't see
how it is possible for gentleman to
pursue such course as that. There
was the third, and what might be called
the negative proceeding-to quietly
neglect the young lady, and force her
to end the affair but this is nearly as
bad, think, as the more brutal course.
I scarcely knew what to do, but in a
fortunate moment I thought of you, my
dear fellow Do You understand,
now 2"
Mr.. Templeton seemed to be in a
dream.
"Yes-that isl don't see what you
are driving at, my boy"
"Why, nothing could be palmer. /
said to myself: The engagement must
be broken off by Miss Allonby, not by
myself. Perhaps she will break it off,
if she makes the intimate acquaintance
of my friend Harry Templeton. He's
the very part - handsome, good-na-
tured, witty, and born to slay the sex.
I will go away, and leave the young
things together. 1 will give Miss
Allonby an opportunity to grow fond
of him. Then she will discard me,
affairs will take their course, and all's
well that ends well = That's what I
said, Harry, and I carried out my plan. -
"You did, indeed, old fellow" said
Mr.. Templeton, regaining some of his
good spirits.
at was your duty to make yourself
agreeable, and it seems you succeeded.
/ did not lose my time, either. I am
not engaged to my cousin, of course ;
but, to be plain, am sure she will
marry me, and the only gloom I've felt
in returning was from my engagement.
A letter from my cousin, which followed
me, made it all the deeper. Now this
is over, however. You see, Miss Allonby
won't have me- Go and ask her to have
you, Harry. The coast is clear-good
luck to your
Mr.. Henri Templeton wrung the
speakers hand, with an air of the
utmost relief.
81 always said," he exclaimed, "that
you were the best old boy [ knew. ]
was in the depths, and ready to cut my
throat"
'T am glad you didn't" said Wilson,
laughing heartily. SIT is bad enough
to do what you have done already"
"What is that %
"Cut yourself, playing with edged
tools?"