The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-04-21

condolences, but l had no reason to sup pose that he had yet accomplished his proposal.
 One afternoon heavy rain storm had driven the sportsmen m sooner than usual. was examining my breech-loader in the gun-room when Smithers mysteriously ] requested me to come to the smoking room at once. There found Budell and Marby. Smi,hers had convened the club, and we had the room to ourselves He briefly explained his object. .'l have an announcement to make" he said, simi- lar 10 one made by Budell not long since. I'm going to follow his example, and hereby invite you all 10 the wedding. Like Bgdell, haven't ye, put the final question. but am not afraid of the an swer. have no objection 10 tell you that the young lady is at present in this house. and tha; her name Is Miss Max well.
 Good heavens" calculated Budell.
 Well, said Marby. . may as well take this opportunity of informing the club that toe am going to follow suit Only, I've takeu the precaution to speak to the young lady first. and Fannie Carlson Is shortly gong to become Mrs. Marby.
 ntS III ktf4t A45C- sad w;h dignity. as strode from the room. " ain now the only member of the Square club.
 Just as was tying my neekt;e few minutes before dinner. and rejecting that. though nervousness. want of leisure and even bligh,ed affections might be got over. a; least had reason that would preserve me from ma,rimony. Budcll hurried into my room.
 Look here. he said. I'm in a deuce of box. Smithers is going 10 propose to Miss Maxwell. and, hang 1t, that's Edith
 What; you're both in love with Miss Maxwell:"
 Yes. and that forward beast. S.nithers. will be sure to propose right of and I've never had good opportunity"
 My dear Budell, you must make op- por,unity. Do 1t tonight
 Tonight? Why. i;s dinner time al- ready and after dinner we're 10 have those blessed tshifaar s,i9azIS: and goodness knows wha, Smithers wifi do while I'm looking after the wre,ehed ..i- fairs. And then, to-moYow. I've prom Ised Cariyon ie star, fof the east moor |: 2 o'clock.
 erdcaxored Ia eemier; him by sus- sesl!ns that possibly Mss Maxwell might refuse SnI,hers but Badeil shud- dcred al the possibility ct being fore stalled. He @as paipably upset. and he looked nervous and any.ous al dinner time. The company generally attributed II to the theatrical possibility hui ;he. were wrong Budeli MAS too ol4 hand ho ..i.y,.. hatlelHt ai5,dnfS. Snlihers. on the other hand. had secured a sea, beside Miss Maxwell, and seemed to be making him. self vastly agreeable.
 The tao!eaux began immediately after dinner. and they were . great success Budell had skill:ully arranged them with out attempting to make them into series; and music. supposed 10 be appropriate ar to have reference to each tableau, was played while the curtain was up. Cuv- iously enough iii the second last tableau Miss MlNwell, Smithers and Budell were 10 appear by themselves: and still more cuuously the subject off; was The Ri vals.' Where Budell had got il do no, know: probably in his inner conscious ness. l. was supposed ,o be a woodland scene in the paint and powder days X young lady was discovered seated on q bank with Il lover kneeling at her feet. and holding one of her hands. At a l.t,le distance. and unseen by either of the lovers. was rivaI giaring from among the trees at the uasuspecuns pair. The tableau was very effective Mss Maxwell looked! very charming in her costume. and smithers siared sp!endidly Budell's lace Il Was impossible to see. for h.s back was turned io the audience Up till now the performers had al managed to re- main as ugld as statneS. but in this tab leag Miss Maxwell. who had already appeared several ;mcs. seemed io lose her nerve. The curtain had ne: been I'D q mIaC'e when she started. looked down at budell. and at last. flushing crimson. i.nFiy ran oil the stage. However. the Last tahlctu wen: oil without a hitch. and the saeGi mistake dtd not affect the gen. era. verdict. An .,dJOuTlncn, w.s made io have q dance in the hall. and l was standing idly looking on when Bade.i. oace more m his usual garb. rushed up to me m s fever of excitement
 By George, sir he whispered, con grataiate me, I've done il: it's all right.
 And he dragged me along with him from the hall inlo the empty library
 What on earth do you mean, m..n :. exclaimed. What have you done:
 five proposed, sir; and I've been ac- cepted."
 loordially congratulated him and then l inquired: Hew did you manage it. when did you find the time-and where the courage:
 I'll tell you. l did it in that ,ableau. Under cover ofthe music told Edith that in all sober earnes,ness was St her feet, not in jest alone; and asked her to be my wife. That's why sine ran away"
 No wonder" in,erlcct.d
 Wasn't it splendid doing i, under Smithcrs very eyes: And then of course l saw Edith af,crward in the little draw ing room: and she'll be here directly. whenever she has changed her costume"
 !" Well. I'm glad you've settled IL: and think S;nithers was righ, when he said you would end by proposing in some ex-