The Benton weekly record., 1882-11-16

"And listen while tell you of the ba-''
Goodness Dolly. what's the matter?'
His song came to an untimely end as he
caught sight of the sobbing, shaking little
figure on the hearthrug. .
| He took one stride toward her, but at
the sound Of his voice she had sprung to
her feet with crimson cheeks and danger
onsly sparkling eyes.
"Stand off, slr DON'T dare to touch
mel"
"Great heaven! Dolly" in direct be-
wilderment. H..
"Don't Dolly me!'' facing him like a
diminuti7e tigress-F'tlon't dare top
"Dolly"
"Don't mention my name SO soon after
| hers--this Edith TO whom you are 'Dick
darling!'" -... ""
"Dolly--''
"Can you find no other word with which
| to defend or vindicate yourself except the
repetition of nay name ?" this last with I'M
natural calmness.
The temperature had waited around
from the torrid to the frigid zone.
"Have you gone--mad?" slowly.
sIf I have, find the cause-there ~
Scornfully she flung him the crumpled
sheet.
He snatched it eagerly and read every
woro.
"Where did you get this, Dolly?''
''There!''
s'There!'' in blank astonishment.
She pointed dramatically at the tumbled
oyercoat.
He glanced from the note to the coat,
from the coat to the note, and back again
to Dolly.
She was longing desperately to steady
her voice and still her heart sufficiently to
ask him how he liked Gersfer, just to ex-
hibit piece Of singing sarcasm; but she
could not to save her life.
There was blank silence a moment,
then Dick walked over and picked up the
overcoat.
Hark! what was that? Not laugh,
surely!
Yes, laugh! The maddest, merriest,
widest peal that ever rang from human
lips.
There on the hearth-rug stood Dick, the
coat fallen loosely on the floor, his
hands on both hips, and laughing-Well,
he was.
SfDick!' II faltering alaazement.
eyes" howled Dick. ooh, Dolly, it's
the best joke Of the season. Oh-h"
And then he reared like circus-mad
school-boy again.
s'Dick--tell me!' -
Then, seeing her white, anxious face, he
grew suddenly grave.
"Dolly, did you look at the envelope?"
II saw one."
He showed her the alp that had tlutter-
ed unnoticed under the table.
She read the address:
RICHARD HARVEY, Esq,
1872 South St., City.
s'Dolly, did you particularly notice the
overcoat??'
A tremendous "No''
sI4ook! See that velvet collar, those
buttons; this pocket-book! Is this my
overcoat -
sob, Dick, my dearest, forgive me No,
no,Eno."
She was sobbing in his arms now.
"My darling! But" bubbling again in
to boyish laughter, swhat a glorious joke !.
TO think that / should walk home In, and
that you should mend, Dick Harvey s
overcoat? Wonder if his folks are going
through my pockets now? Who's Edith 2
His sweetheart, whom he has to sneak off
to see, because of formidable heiress
staying at his house at present, to whom
his folks are trying to marry him. He told
me all about it,
tDick"-shy arms went creeping
around his neck, and blue eyes looked lu-
nlinous through their tears-''I'na never
going TO be jealous again. I'm not even
going to ask you where you were tonight =
with triumphant heroism, underlaid by a
stratum Of maddening curiosity.
"ny pet, was just going to tell you,
but these will speak better than ] can.
You see had not quite forgotten what
day tomorrow would be-
He had drawn leather case from his
pocket, and, touching spring, disclosed =
set and necklet OF nilk-white pearls Oh 4
turquoise velvet bed.
"Oh-h, Dick!"
| A long-drawn breath, rapturous light
ing of blue eyes, lifting of rosy lips, and
then-well, when she got through, Dick
| thought himself well repaid.
"Won't there be fun ut the office to
morrow! Jealous Of Dick Harvey! Eu'
by Jupiter, what reception | got! Oh
oh! Dolly, Dolly, DolIy its the best JOKE
on record!"
And Dolly joined him merrily; for, at
ter all, is not the sweetest laughter thai
which springs from tears?
Society in New Mexico.
ssHow is your son, who went TO New
Mexico, coming on?' asked Gilhooly 0
Col. Yerger, whose left Austin a year 9