Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-04-06

met with courtesy" He glared at me
as If especially has been guilty of re-
vealing his confidence. We apologized
humbiy, and at last pacified him. He
really was puzzled as to how to accom-
plish his proposal. Marby suggested
the old fashioned plan of Pumping
down on his knees, like q swain in
valentine; but Budell paled visibly.
1t was such a cold-blooded way, he
objected; yet it appeared ne had al
most adopted it On two occasions. The
first time little brute of a brother
had inopportunately appeared: 81
never knew nice girl that hadn't a
little brute of BROTHER" exclaimed
Budell, hastily generalizing; and on
the second occasion he had even got
the length of informing the object of
his affections Ito use a phrase that
used TO madden Budel) that he had
something to tell her, when ner moth
er entered, and he had hastily to de-
wise some idiotic fact about a flower
show. 1t vas quite evident that his
nerve was not equal to the third at
tempt. 1 suggested that he should
write; but it seemed that the young
lady, in talking about certain novel,
had laughed the hero to scorn for re-
| sorting to 80 cowardly q plan as writ
ing his proposal.
Cant yon save her life in some
thrilling manner, and then cast your
self at her feet?" asked the romantic
Marby.
Cor can't you get overtaken in a
shower, and then you could neatly ask
her to share your lot, as well as your
umbrella" suggested Smithers.
Budell smiled family. cts all very
we'll for you fellows to make fun of it
when you haven't to do it yourselves;
but all the sane its q ticklish thing to
do well. I wish to do it in a neat and
direct manner without any humbug."
cts my opinion" said Smithers,
"that you'll end by popping the ques-
ton in some altogether extraordinary
and absurd manner"
Very well, sir" said Budell with
dignity, 1--WE shall see."
But when we left him, the idea of
the irrepressible Budell being tongue
tied before dainty little damsel who
couldn't even sit on jury, came upon
Us again with redoubled force, and We
awoke the echoes of the silent street
with renewed shouts of laughter.
Poor Budell could find no opportu.
nifty of sertling his fate. He revolved
| drearily around my rooms, where he
materially interfered with my work,
by constantly putting skillfully elahor-
ated questions to me, devised to ex-
tract my opinion of his lady love, with
out revealing her name. I rose and
| fell in his estimation as my answers
were what he desired or not; and /
committed myself to an immense num-
Der of definite opinions as to the pref
| erence between blondes and brunettes,
| large mouths and small ears, etc etc
| whether do you prefer, Greek or
Saxon names for ladies?" he one asked
ME. | answered at random that I liked
them both equally. No, but really"
he persisted? az mean modern nam es
derived from those languages" WELL"
names" ado your" he exclaimed;
"why, so do I. For example, / don't
think you could find a prettier name
than Filth anywhere" "Oho," cried,
cher name is E iith, is it," Budell
blushed, but couldn't deny it; and
daresay he would have revealed her
surname also had pressed him.
August brought me an invitation
from Will CarlyOn TO spend fortnight
| at his fathers place in Scotland, and
have q shot at the grouse. "I've
asked Marby, Smithers and Budell," - he
| wrote, "and expect them all. / know
you four have frightful chains-and.
slavery notions about matrimony; but
there are lots of nice girls staying here
with Fanny, and you don't all go home
with the full intention of forthwith be-
coming Benedicts shall be surprised.
ANYHOW, we have plenty Of BIRDS"
When I arrived | found the house
full of pleasant men and agreeable girls,
while the grouse gave very fair sport.
The club was there in full force. Bu-
dell was in tolerable spirits, and came
out in grand style as master of the GER
amonies, and s. the originator of all
so Is of amusemen's He was too busy
to infict any more condolences, but /
had no aeason ID suppose that he had
yet accomplished his proposal,
One afternoon heavy rainstgrm had
driven The sportsmen in 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 l
found Budell and Marby. Smithers
had convened the club, and we had
the room To ourselves. He briefly ex-
planned his object. 81 have an an
nouncement to make" he said, "simi-
lar to one made by Budell not long
since. I'm going to follow his exam
pie, and | hereby invite you all to the
wedding. Like Budell, | haven't yet
put the final question, but ! am not
afraid of the answer. | have no objec-
ton TO tell you that the yourg lady is
at present in this house, aud that her
name is Miss Maxwell"
GOOD heavensl" calculated Budell.
"Weli, said Marby, 81 may as well
take this opportunity OF informing the
club that I, too, am going to follow
suit. Only I've taken the precaution
to speak TO the young lady first, and
Fanny Carlyon is shortly going to be-
come Mrs. Marby."
was tAunderstruck. In that case"
| said, with dignity, as | strobe from the
room, / am now the only member of
the Square Club"
Just rs | was tying my necktie. a few
minutes before dinner, and rejecting
that, though nervousness, want of leis-
ure aud even hlighted affections might
be got over, l, at least, had reason
that would preserve me from matri-
mony, BadelI hurried into my room.
Look here" he said, "I'm in
deauce of boxl Smithers is going to
propose to Miss Maxwell; and, hang it,
that's Edith
What! you're both in love with Miss
MAXWELL
Yes; and that forward beast,
Smithers, viii he sure to propose right
off; and I've nevsr had a goo I oppor-
tunity."
"My dear Budell. you must make
your opportunity. Do it tonight"
Tonight? Why, it's diuner-time
already; and after dinner we're to have
those blessed tdbled,Gr pirunts; and good
ness knows what Smithers will do while
I'm looking after the wretched affairs.
And then, tomorrow, I've promised
Carlyon to start for the east moor at 9
o'clock"
/ endeavorod to comfort him by sag
costing that possibly Miss Maxwell
might refuse Smithers; but Budell
shnddnred OF tho Dossih;litv af ba;nr