The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-05-10
DID HE PROPOSE 2

II couldn't do it." said Martyr
Ellerslie, with a shudder. 1t was
Just the seductive hour before the
gas jets are lighted and window
blinds are pulled down-the deli.
cious twilight, when CRATE fires
shine like burning masses of ruby,
and people sitting beside them
grow mildly confidential. 1t was
showing a little outside all the
better, for the click Of theerystalized
pearls against the glass filed up the
silence. and made the cosy warmth
of the room luxuriously delightful.
And Martyr Ellerslie's pleasant
brown eyes, fixed full on the fire,
saw-no one can tell what or how
much they saw.
Suppose she should say me-
he burst out, seemingly opropos to
nothing at all.
Suppose she shouldn't, observed
Guy Barnes, dryly.
Il tell you, old fellow, it's exact
" like having a tooth pulled out.
Your friends stand by and say, BE
a man /; it's nothipgp 1t isn't they
who are under the doctors forceps."
complimentary to Miss Clen-"
Nonsense. You know what /
mean. But really and truly, I've
tried and can't do it."
very well,n said Barnes, indiffer-
emily; then it is an understood
thing that you are to live and die an
old bachelor"
Il didn't say that
''Oh, ] beg pardon. You expect
Fanny is going to propose to you ;
that's it"
You are heariless miscreant," "
Ellersville cried out, half laughing,
half impatient, as he sprang to his
feet and tossed the remnant of his
cigar into the fire, 'and / shall not
waste any more words upon you
unless, indeed, you'll 60 round to
the fair with me-"
"Where Fanny Glen has stand !?
Not if know it. The money mar
ket is rather tight with me just at
present, and these fancy fairs are no
better than q den of robbers, where
a defenceless young man is con-
cerned."
And Martyn ElileFslie went on his
way alone.
The hall was all glitter with gas
lights and fragrant with flowers
when he got there and pretty fem
mine sparks lurked each behind her
table when laden, was all smiles
and dimples, while the throng Of
victims ebbed and flowed around
hem.
Mr.. Ellerslie found himself greet
d with acclamations.
"You will take share, Mr.. El-
erslie?"
"Do please put your name down
lere, Mr.. Ellerslie there are only
EN- blanks left
"0h, Mr.. Ellerslie, you are the
-ery one we are waiting for. I've
lept seven for you--seyen is always
! lucky number"
MIR Elierslie don't, pray, spend
III your money until you've taken
! share in this mammoth doll, with
trunk full of clothes"
And thus cur hero was flung hith-
II and yon on the waves of the fair,
lrawing nearer, however, with ey-
.ry description, 10 the table over
which shone the blue stars of Fam
ny Clen's eyes.
But when he got there he was
smittea with sudden silence.
Fanny looked wonderingly up.
''It's a fine evening"" b. hazarded.
'Is lt?" asked Fanny. "Why, /
thought it was snowiEg."
80 it is" said our hero. growing
very red, and oyerturning with his
elbow a crimson Venitian flask tor
which he Immediately had to pay a
sovereignty 81 mean it isn't
very fine evening"
"Oh.' said Fanny.
Yes said Martyr, feeling acute
y that he had made donkey of
himself.
Then he went away, and did not
zee Fanny Glen again the whole
evening probably she was the only
person in the whole room that he
,ared a fig about seeing atall- But
% unkind is fate to love and lovers
Just as he was edging his way out
# the place, in very dispirited and