The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-05-31
. a ROMANCE SPOILED ], o ,Il,

very near spelling my romance. But I
succeeded very adroitly, as thought, in
saving myself, only to have itspoiled in a
different way. And this is how it all
q Happened: -.
Fred-was my college chum. We had
oeen together four years, and Our friend
snip was as strong and sincere as it is
gwen to mortals to enjoy. Fred had q
sister more beautiful than the Venus of
4 MILO, Tor her limbs were all perfect, and
she was intelligent, educated and good.
Fred said SO himself, and I believed
him, and somehow knew that no de-
scribed her to me in his letters in a way
to excite my curiosity, to say the least;
and also knew that he was determined
to make match of it if possible. To tell
the truth, I was as anxious as he was, for
the romantic in my nature was very
strong, and felt that was already
deeply in love.
The family were spending the season
at Long Branch, and it was arranged that
Fred and I should meet them there az
soon as the vacation commenced. At
length the day, big with my fate, arrived,
and travel-stained and hungry, we ar
rived at the hotel and went at once to
our room, before seeing any of our FAM
lily, who did not expectus until the night
train.
We had just fairly got into our room
when tea was announced. The pangs of
Hunger seized me with their usual vio-
lence as [ heard the summons, and I
suddenly formed IL desperate resolution.
Fred" said |, II am going to tea be-
fore dress"
you'll be tabooed if you do" said
Fred, and ne began to prepare for a
bath.
II don't care cuss if AMIN fear
fully. desperately, madly hungry"
"Betler make Your first appearance
like Christian-'ake my advice" said
Fred, who was very punctillious as to
dress, and all other social proprieties.
1T will take me two hours to Dire IS,
and If 20 now, will be through before
you arrive i'll the dining with your
family"
By this time I had got some of the
thickest of the dust off my face and
rushed TO the lining-room.
The halt was full, Tut / soon found a
quiet place. and CAV my order. 1t SEEM
ed an age before the waiter got around,
and it seemed another before cold sat
isfy my appetite. l WAS putting on the
Sfnlshing touches, however. and was
Gongratulating myself, when looked up
and saw Fred and his magnificent sister
sitting down at distant table, but d.
rectly facing ME.
I was nearly staring my eyes out in
establishment at her amazing beauty,
when she suddenly looked up and our
eyes met She as suddenly withdrew
md
who looked over towards me and re-
piled.
felt that my doom was sealed; for I
knew that she noticed me and asked
Fred who was. l involuntary shrank
within myself and felt that my face was
PURPLE knew it was dirty and in
stinctively tried to sink down through
the floor. Failing in this, l tried to
look Indifferent, but found l could not
raise my eyes from my plate. knew
they were looking at me and felt my
lace swelling. with premonitory symp-
IONS of apoplexv.
l edged ont OF the hail IN some way
how know not-and rushing up stairs,
debating in my mind whether to take
: ahe next train out of town or to drown
myself in the bath tub,
had not decided that question when
TIeu E.tDir Ill WILL
"Wllat in the name Of heaven did you
go down to tea looking SO like the devil
for"
"What q deeply, darkly, doub!e-dyed
damned dolt you We're for telling your
sister who was,' l replied, and then
sat down on the side Of the bed and
cursed my stars till the atmosphere was
sulplurous and l was trcl out. I felt
somewhat relieved then, and bathed and
dressed.
If ever dressed with care it was then.
simply got myself up regardless" so
to spedk, hoping to wear off some of the
bad impression which Fred admitted I
had produced.
When 1 had finished, Fred gazed at
me inastonishment and said:
"Well, this is 1netamorphosis! She
will never recognize YOU"
Then some Of the romance of my ma
ture cropped out.
Fred" said l, Introduce me by some
other name toni ht Tell her that am
sick, or Acknowledgements give me a
chance to wear off the disagr eeable i'm
preston have produced"
This was agreed to, and we desce nded
TO the dancing hall, where a. brilliant
company was already assembled. was
in full possession OF myself now, and
moved through the room with my usual
dignity aud grace. Fred left me as soon
=, as we entered and sought his sister. and
when an OppOrtune moment arrived l
was presented under the name of Mon
tague-"A college acquaintance" Fred
explained.
My absence was explained on the
ground Of indispOsitiOn, and l had the
satisfaction of hearing Maud for that
was her nancy say that she was sorry,
for, as she put it, "Fred's particular
friend is about the ugliest looking NOR
tai ever saw"
can only say, in general terms, that
my progress in her favor that night was
very satisfactory, and at two in the
mornin, we parted the best of friends.
The next day it was decided to keep up
the ,elusion for awhile longer, and fl
nally my absence was accounted for by
telling her that my illness threatened to
BIZ serious and had been sent home.
AS time passed on became more and
moro romantic, and amongst other
projects gave her TO understand that
/ was a little more impecunious than
Jobs poverty stricken turkey, and to
win, if possible, for myself alone. felt
that my personal charms were equal to
with zeal bordering Oh desperation.
How I succeeded will presently be seen.
One morning as I was sitting by her.
side in the private parlor of the family,
Fred came in and handed her letter
desiring her to give it immediate atten-
ton. With an apology she broke the
seal, and commenced to read. had
risen and was pacing the floor and watch
in her countenance with a beating
heart, heard her call Fred to sit beside
her, and stopped and looked out of the
window. heard her say:
"What presumption"
"t;ut my dear Maud!' Fred replied,
and then the conversation became in
distinct. and could only catch here
and there word. But | could hear
enough to know that Fred was urging
and she was protesting. At last I could
hear no more, and finally Fred called to
me.
Montague, give us your advice;
Maud wishes it as we'll as I. We will
leave it to you to say what ought to be
done. Here she has letter from my
dear old college chum, rich, of good fam
lily. handsome"
"Contine yourself to facts, Fred"
broke in Maud. 81 saw him once, and
he is as ugly as sim"
''She knows all about his character
and INTERCHANGEABLE knows that he is
my best friend, and yet she calls his Of
fer of marriage contained in this letter
'impertinence,' and says she will leave it
IN vO,, tO sav whether aha wOuld answer