News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-12-14

Just one word, won't you?'
Garnet" said Van Elst, turning
slowly and displaying very white face
"I congratulate you with my who'll
heart and soul and strength"
"That sounds wall, said Garnet, afte
a meditative puff or two at his meer
schaum pipe, "but you might say i
with little more spirit, I think. Hans
it, man, 1 didn't say was going to die
I said 1 was the accepted lover of tn
sweetest girl in the world
Van Elst made mighty effort, smiled
brightly, and grasped his friends han(
firmly, and replied:
"My dear fellow, you're the Iucbies
man in the world, if that picture doe:
the lady justice, and Miss Ashmore is as
lucky as YOU
"That's better" said Garnet, hastily
Withdrawing his hand and thrusting two
knuckles into his mouth, "but,, my deal
fellow-oh, how that finger hurts you
needn't crush my seal ring right through
to the bone, with that terrific grip OF
yours. Ell Hooking at her picture
again? I shall be jealous of you in a
moment"
"You've no reason to be-" said Van
Elst, "but 1 can't help staring at her
picture, for I've met the lady, and L adj
mire her almost as much -
"You've met her? For heavens sake,
where?" demanded Garnet, springing
from his chair.
cat Bloomgroove," replied Van Elst,
quietly; 'Fwhere L spent my vacation. "
''The little witch!' p exclaimed Garnet;
"and she allowed me all the while to
imagine her at home in Baltimore [ sup
pose she thought if I knew she was so
near New York l would run out there to
see her All, these Baltimore girls are
very particular, Van. And you've actually
been looking at that angel for fortnight,
and only thirty miles away and entirely
ignorant of what was going ON Why,
you blessed old rascal, I'd like to choke
you right here and now. How did she
loOk-what did she say? Did she ever
mention my name %
"No," said Van Elst; "but did to
her, and L was grateful to her for the at
tentive manner in which she always lis
tened"
"What did you say about me? % asked
Garnet.
Everything that was good, " replied
Van Elst
Certainly you did, you honest old
friendp' exclaimed Garnet, taking both
of his friends hands; "and I've no doubt
that's why 1 got her definite answer with
in few hours. But, oh, Van, I'm only
beginning to realize what lies before me
Her family is not very rich, but they are
very proud; how dare L make a formal
proposal to her while I'm only poor
clerk %
Buy an interest in some business,
| said Van Elst "have your name known
as that of a member of a reputable firm. -
sob, Van, you're toomodest, protested
Garnet, sarcastically; "why don't you
advise me to buy railroad or gold mine
1t wouldn't be no harder to a man with
out dollar beyond the demands of the
week"
Give about ten thousand dollars draw
ing interest, y said Van Elst, ''you're well
come to use all of it."
"Yan p exclaimed Garnet, ''you're al
most as much of an angel as Floy But
I'm not going to use your money; some
day you'll find yourself as deeply in love
as [ am, and then you, too, will have a
business-ike father to face. At that
time you'll need the money to make your
own position good"
Van Elst tried to laugh, but he did
not succeed, although he managed to
say:
Nonsense I shall never fall in love. -
why, half an hour ago L was sure
you were as far gone as l. think 1
know the signs"
"You don't know anything; men in
love never do-they are utter FOOLS re-
piled Van Elst with such savage emphasis
that Garnet clapped his hands and
shouted:
"Capitally acted ! By Jove, old boy,
you ought to go upon the stage. But |
say, let me read you her letter-she'l
forgive me, L guess. for letting so dear a
friend know its contents. Here it is
she says
Don't, please, Garnet, said Van Elst
&C a woman's heart shouldn't be opened
to more than one man-not even to the
man who most dearly loves her lover"
And the end was that Garnet married
Florence Ashmore. Van Elst is the
dearest friend of both husband and wife,
and although he fondles his little name
sake as dearly as if it were his own, no
one has ever suspected what he endured
for the sake of his dearest friend.-N Y.
Hour.