The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-11-10
MY PROPOSAL.

No, there was no doubt about it; had
drunk a great deal more than was
good for me, as my aching head and
parched mouth only too painfully proved.
1t was not the lobster salad scorned the
deception; it was the champagne. | had
always maintained that picnics were a
mistake, and now | was certain of it.
q Do not misunderstood me when | say
picnics are a mistake. Your real, rural,
half-impromptu picnic with few intimate
friends in some pleasant spot away from
the busy humdrum of everyday life is
pleasant enough; but what | inveigh
against is that set feast of Injuries, con-
veyed in perfectly appointed luncheon
basket to some hackneyed feasting place
by ''pampered menials," and in which the
only variety from everyday luncheon con-
sists, is that it is eaten in an uncomfortable
position, instead of the orthodox comfort
able one. And this had been the case yes
terday. Besides, the company had not
been to my taste. Imagine a single man,
or indeed any man picnicking with three
engaged couples. Could the most con-
tented of mortals have been happy under
such circumstances?
True, there had been few odd, middle
aged outsiders, but what of that? All,
what indeed? and as my memory began to
collect its scattered particles, | had more
cause than ever to curse that picnic.
We had been up the river, a party of
twelve; yes, that was it; and finding that
no Establishments on my part could dis
tract the course of true love of any one of
the three engaged misses from their faith
full SWANS, | had e'en been obliged to fall
back upon one of the todd" members of
the party. Urged on my wild career by
desperation and frequent glasses of cham
payne, ] had made violent love to amaiden
lady of-well, Of certain age. She had
han +OS hot In,, Id e.,
What might not have committed myself
to in my efforts to drown ennui? Who
knows? perhaps had proposed to her.
Well, she had been very charming, why
not? Great heavens! she was forty if she
was day, and perhaps, bah! she was
made up" At least, | remember she APP
peared to possess a/certain amount of good
looks, but how was | to know that those
dark lashes were not the result of anti
mony; those danguishing glances, bella
donna: that complexion arsenic; those del
icate white Hands, bismuth ?-and now, too,
remembeZ that had promised to call
upon her. <She lived at Kensington. Happy
thought! perhaps l had mislaid her adj
dress. | jumped off my chair with more alac-
rity than had thought possible, and rum
mayed in my pockets for the card she had
given me. She said, with bewitching
smile, that she was quite sure l should for
get the address unless had that card.
No such luck; there it was, only too pal
pable to the naked eye. l sat down again
to the pretense of breakfast | had been
making during these reveries. An unwel-
come knock at the door, followed by a more
unwelcome intruder, put an abrupt end to
them.
"Hullo, Charlie, old man ~ exclaimed nv
hated visitor, chow are you? Look seedy;
been up all night, or what?"
30, go to the Deuce" | answered, testify
tEThanLS won al n +oI1 10
kind of fellow, but | hardly expected so
warm reception as this"
Il should add that the spokesman was my
cousin, which may account, perhaps, for
the lack of ceremony between u.s.
'Well, l tell you what it is, Ralph, am
awfully down on my luck, and don't want
any of your chaff this morning."
so, if it's matter of flyer or so, why
didn't you say so before? You know you
may always count on me to oblige you at
pinch"
'Bosh, my dear fellow. it's not that. I
am little off color, that's all. Don't you
see"
"Whew-w, think do see nowl A
woman in the case, of course. What an
awful duffer | must have been not to have
seen it at frst!u
(How hate the familiarity of relation
ship which seems to arrogate to itself the
right to pry into and expose all ones per-
sonal affairs. Believe me, relations are
great mistake. | felt at this moment that I
would gladly have attended the execution
of one and all of mine. There was the
governor-dear old man!-he always tool,
a savage delight i'll telling me that | should
live to make fool of myself one day, and
there is generally half truth in what that
old man observes, but the suspicion that
dlsagreeable home truths are true, does not
make them any the more palatable to the
recipient of them. does itpl
LOOK here, Ralph" said, 81 am not in
the humor for humbug this morning, so LET
us drop the subject of my appearance and
It's cause altogether. Have you seen the
eyes, saw him just as he was going out
Ter his morning constitutional. He looked
'fit' enough"
I WINGED at this overt dig at my tender
spot
well, suppose you go down stairs and
smoke while | finish breakfast and then
Wen see how to pass an hour or two."
MY tormentor was gone at last, thank
goodness; but what was the torment of his
presence to that of my own mind?
There was no getting out of it. must
call upon my elderly charmer and that
without delay. The longer matters were
put oil the worse they would appear.
l went down stairs and found Ralph
smoking. Pahi | could not have smoked
this morning to have saved my life.
II suppose you have nothing to do up
till luncheon time, Ralph? Will you come
for drive? / have morning call to
pay"
Thought so; but why wouldn't YOU
speak the truth atonce? Who is she?"
Time enough for you to know when
you've seen her, answered surlily. 0Will
you come! l shall have to leave you out
sideYv
"All right, old man; anything to further
the interests Of friend.
We drove to Kensington. The brilliant
sun seemed to mock my gloomy thoughts,
and my spirits fell to zero as we approached
the house.
WAS Miss Damian at homew
"Nes, Miss DamianswaS at home"
My last loophole of escape was closed. |
entered the house and had not been seated
five minutes when the door opened and a