The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-05-03

s'Well, the fact is,'' he said, II thought
ought to tell the club at once; but
haven THAT is, l dom 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.
81 don't think" he said, ''that my
| courtesy to the club has been met with
courtesy" He glared at me as if I
specially had been guilty of revealing
his confidence. We apologized hum
bly,, and at last pacified him. He really
was puzzled as to how to accomplish
his proposal. Marby suggested the old
fashioned plan of Pumping down on
his knees, like swain in a valentine;
cold-blooded way, he objected: yet it
appeared he had almost adopted it on
two occasions. The first time little
brute of brother had inopportunely
, appeared: 81 never knew a nice girl
that hadn't little brute of brother"
exclaimed Budell. hastily generalizing;
got the length of informing the object
of his affections (to 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 a flower show.
1t was quite evident that his nerve was
not equal to a third attempt. l sug-
gested that heshould write; but it SEEM
ed that the young lady, in talking
about a certain novel, had laughed the
hero to scorn for resorting to so coward
ly a plan as writing his proposal.
Cant you save her life in some
thrilling manner, and then cast your
self at her feet?" asked the romantic
Marby.
''Or can't you get overtaken in
shower, and then you could neatly ask
her to share your lot, as we'll as your
umbrella?" suggested Smithers.
Budell smiled family. It'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 ticklish thing
to do well. l wish to do it in a neat
and direct manner without any hum
bug
''It's 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 tonguetied be-
fore a 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 settling his fate. He revolved
| drearily round my rooms, where he ma
! terially interfered with my work, by
constantly putting skilfully-elaborate
| questions to me, devised to extract my
opinion of his lady love, without reveal
ing her name. | rose and fell in his es-
| timation as my answers were what he
! desired or not; and | committed myself
to an immense number of definite opin-
ions as to the preference between blondes
and brunettes, large mouths and small
ears, ETC., etc. (Which do you pre-
fer, Greek or Saxton names for ladies?'
he once asked me. l answered at ran
dom that liked them both equally. ''No,
but really" he persisted. II mean
modern names derived from those
languages. - ''Well," replied at ven-
ture, Il like Saxon Names" ''Do you?"
he exclaimed; ''why, so do I. For ex-
ample, l don't think you could find
prettier name than Edith anywhere"
"Oho," l cried, cher name is Edith, is
it?" Budell blushed, but couldn't deny
it; and l daresay he would have reveal
ed 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 a
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
if you don't all go home with the full
intention of forthwith becoming Bene-
dicks l shall be surprised. Anyhow, we
have plenty of BIRDS
When 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 spirit, and came
out in grand style as master of the GER
emonies, and as the originator of all
sorts of amusements. He was too busy
to inflict any more condolences, but |
had no reason to suppose that he had
yet accomplished his proposal.
One afternoon heavy rainstorm had
driven the sportsmen in sooner than
usual; was examining my breechload-
cr in the gun-room, when Smithers mys-
teriously requested me to come to the
smoking-room at once. There | found
Budell and Marby. Smithers had con-
vened the club, and we had the room to
ourselves. He briefly explained his
object Il have an announcement to
MAKE he said, ''similar to one made
by Budell not long since. I'm going to
follow his example, and l hereby invite
you all to the wedding. Like Budell,
l haven't yet put the final question, but
am not afraid of the answer. l have
no objection to tell you that the young
lady is at present in this house, and
that her name is Miss Maxwell. "
:'Good heavensr' calculated Budell
''Well," said Marby, 81 may as well
take this opportunity of informing the
club that l, too, am going to follow suit.
Only I've taken the precaution to speak
to the young lady first, and Fanny Carl
yon is shortly going to become Mrs.
Marby.'
was thunderstruck. ''In that case, ="
l said, with dignity, as | strobe from the
room, Il am now the only member OF
the Square Club"
just as l was tying my necktie, few
minutes before dinner, and rejecting
that, through nervousness, want of leis-
ure, and even blighted affections might
be got over, l, at least, had a reason
that would preserve me from matrimony,
Budell hurried into my room.
''Look here" he said, I'm in deuce
of box! 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, Smith
: ers, will be sure to propose right off;
and I've never had a good opportunity. y
my dear Budell, you must make
your opportunity. Do it to night"
Tonight? Why it's dinner-time al
raa1v. and after dinner we're to have