Mexico weekly ledger., 1883-06-14

TO become my wife. Every time You
refuse 1 shall throw over sandbag,
So, lady fair (as the cabmen would d
say, } reconsider your decision, and Il
consent to become Mrs. Jenkyns.
81 WON'T" she said. 81 never viii,
and, let me tell You that you are act
ing in very ungentlemanly way to
press me thus .'You acted in Ia
dy-ike way the other day, did you
not" ! reioined, "when you knock
dme ont Of the boat?'' She laugh
ed sgsin, for she was plucky girl,
and no mistake very plucky girl.
'"Howeyer," I went on, '.it's no good
arguing about twill you promise to |
give me your hands"
Never" she answered, .sI'll go
to Ursa Major first, though I have got
a big enough bear here, in all con-
science. Stay; you'd prefer Aqua
rius, wouldn't you?''
She looked so pretty that L was al
most inclined to let her off, was
only trying to frighten her, Of course
Il knew how high We could 60 safe
ly well enough, and how valuable the
life Of Jenkyns was to his country.
But resolution is one Of the strong
points of my character, and when
I've begun thing I like to carry it
it through, so I threw over another
sandbag and whistled the .'Dead
March in Saul"
Come, Mr.. Jenkyns," she said
suddenly-s'come, Tom, Let us de-
scend now, and I'll promise to say
nothing whatever about this" I con-
tinued the execution of the dead
March, ''But if you do not begin
to descend at once I'll tell papa the
moment that L set foot On the
ground!" laughed, seized another
bag, and, looking steadily at her,
said: "Win you promise to give me
your hand?'' "I've answered you
already!" was the reply. Over went
1.-THE sandbag, and the solemn notes OF
the "Dead March" resounded through
the car. 81 thought that you were a
lgentlemenH' sand Fanny. rising up in
terrible rage from the bottom of the
car, where she had been sitting, and
looking perfectly beautiful in hel
wrath; II thought you were a gen.
7 tleman, but 1 find l was mistaken
: why, a chimney-sweeper could moi
treat lady in such way. Do yor
e know that you are risking your owl
life as well as mlne by your mad
: ness!" 1 explained that l adoret
}. her SO much that to die in her compa
y ny would be perfect bliss, so beg
: ged she would not consider my feel
= ings at all. She dashed her beautiful
!, hair from her face, and, standing per
q fectly erect, looking like the Goodies
n of anger (or Boadicea-if you ca
d fancy that parsonage in a balloon)-
r she said: ~ command you to begi
y the descent this instant. - TIL
% s'Dead March," whistled in manne
le essentially gay and lively, was the or
ID ly response. After a few minutes
J. silence 1 took up another bag an
t. said: "We are getting rather high
ID If you do not decide soon we sha
have Mercury telling US that we al
as tresspassing- will you promise n
n your hand?' She sat in sulky sllent
as in the bottom of the car. I thre
ly over the sand. Then she tried anot
he er plan. Throwing herself upon b
ed knees, and bursting into tears, 81
n said: "Oh, forgive me for what
said the other day; it was very wrol
?" and 1 am very sorry. Take me hor
de and I will be a sister to YOU" ''N
ds a wife ?" said I. ST can't, l can't
y? she answered.
Over went the fourth bag, and (
lie, gan to think she would best me af'
all, for did not like the idea Of goi
much higher. I would not give
d lust yet, however. 1 whistled for
=. flew moments, to give ner time
or reflection, and then said: ''Fanr
ct, they say that marriages are made
heaven-if you do not take care OF
n will be solemnized there" Itook
Jon the fifth bag and last. "Come, -
av- said, 'my wife in life or my comps
ath ion in death, which is it to be?" an
ght patted the sandbag in my arms as
and it had been a baby. "Come, Fam
T." give me your promise I could b
lest her sobs. I'm the most soft-hear
was creature breathing, and would
,er. pain any living thing, and cont
low she had beaten me. I forgaye
lop- the ducking; forgaye her for rej'
the ling me. was on the point of iii
ling the bag back into the car,
saying: dearest Fanny, forgive
~ for trying to frighten you. Ms
t so whosoever you will. Give your Il
lily hand to the lowest groom in y
led. stables endow with your prince
up beauty the Chief Of the Pankiw'
YER Indians. Whatever happens, .
;tion kyns is your slave-your dog,
Ifootstool. His duty, hencefoth
'aid, to 90 whithersoever you shall or
,dif- to do whatsoever you shall commar
'nly. Twas just on the point OF sa
no il repeat, when Fanny suddenly /
ID or ed up and said, with a queer exT
,aee, sion upon her face: "You need
Co throw that last bag over. l pro
10th to give you my hand. -