The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-05-24

only agreed with him that there was
nothing more Objectionable than to have
ones name murdered. He was nervously
anxious that his name should be pro-
nounced with the accent on the second
syllable; and afterwards found that he
had been introduced flor the second
time) to this interesting girl as
Doodle" "Just as though l rhymed
with noodle" as he Indignantly ex-,
pressed it. But the most important hint
was given the night after Mrs Burton's
ball, at which we had all been present.
We were lounging in Budell's rooms,
and Smithers was giving us highly
colored and graphic description of the
frivolity which passes for conversation
between young men and maidens.
''That's all nonsense" broke in Budell
''it's your own fault at any rate. Why,
last night had quite serious and in.
teresting conversation with maiden
1 even quoted Scripture to her."
Bet you a hat you misguided" said
the irreverant Smithers, who thought
that every one was as ignorant as him
self.
mo, Tn not joking; it's fact, and I
got an idea or two, let me tell you"
Had he only told us that he had ven-
tured into the conservatory in order to
carry on his conversation without inter
| ruption, I am convinced that at least
81 ould have surmised that the acquisi-
ton of an idea or two was not the only
result. However, I was not long in my
ignorance. One day, a month or so
after, Budell hunted me up to confide in
me that the bachelors club was all bosh !;
he was over head and ears in love, and
did think he ought to tell the other
men? Then there FOLLOWED shower of
apologetics, in which "soft brown eyes"
and goodness knows what other personal
attractions were prominent. When I
| recovered breath assured him that l
thought it quite incumbent upon him to
inform the club. was rigid and cold
with him, for felt indignant; it was al
most an insult to select me as his conf
dant, as though my celibate principles
were less fixed than Marby's or Smith
ers'.
His announcement that evening was
received in solemn silence by the
Square Club. Even Smithers had at
first nothing to say. At last Msrby
asked as it permitted to inquire the
lady's name, and when the marriage is
to take placer" Budell looked uncom-
Portable. "Well, the fact is" he said,
81 thought I ought to tell the club at
once, but 1 havent-that is, don't
quite know how to set about asking the
lady"
Budell looked so comically distressed
as he made this confession that the club
hailed it with shout of laughter. The
notion of the bold and confident Budell
finding himself muzzled by the tender
passion was too suggestive for our risi-
bility. Budell was seriously annoyed.
II don't think" he said, "that my
courtesy to the club has been met with
courtesy" He glared at me as if
specially had been guilty of revealing
his confidence. We apologized humbly
and at last pacified him. He really was
puzzled as to Low to accomplish his
proposal. Marby suggested the old
fashioned plan of Pumping down on his
knees, like q swain in q valentine; but
Budell paled visibly. 1t was such q
crld.blooded way, he objected; yet it
appeared he had almost adopted it on
two occasions. The first time q little
brute of brother had inopportunely ap-
peared-"I never knew nice girl that
hadn't little brute of o brother" ex-
claimed Budell. hastily generalizing-
and on the second occasion he had even
got the length of informing the object of
his affections Ito adopt a phrase that
used to madden Budell that he had
something to tell her, when her mother
entered, and he had hastily to devise
some idiotic fact about flower show. It
was quite evident that his nerve was not
equal to a third attempt. suggested
that he should write; but it seemed that
the young lady, in talking about a GER
tain novel, had laughed the hero to
scorn for resorting to 30 cowardly plan
as writing his proposal.
Cant you save her life in some thrill
ing manner, and then cast youselt at her
feet?' asked the romantic Marby.
"Or, cant you get overtsken in q
shower, and then you could neatly ask
her to share your lot as we'll as your um-
brella?" suggested Smithers.
Budell smiled family. ''lt's all very
well for you fellows to make fun of it
when you haven't to do it yourselves;
but all the same it's o ticklish thing to
do we'll. wish To do it in neat and
direct manner, without any humbug."
Its my opinion" said Smithers.
that you'll end by popping the ques-
ton in some extraordinary and absurd
manner.
Every we'll, said Budell, with dignity.
I'VE shall see."
But when We left him, the idea of the
irrepressible Budell being tongue-tied
II