The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-05-01
OUTWITTED.

OUIWIIIED.
"Marry my granddaughter? No,
sir! Never, sir!'' And Madame Hoog-
Tvs gold-headed cane came down on
the floor vigorously, while the old lady's
black eyes snapped, and her puffed
hair looked ready to burst with indig-
nation. Il repeat it, sir! You're
some low gambling adventurer, I've no
doubt, after an heiress! Gentlemen
indeed! Gentlemen don't climb over
garden-walls, and"
"But, madame" interjected Louis
Basle, by this time, 'if you would per-
NIT me TO explain"
(Which won't, tell your stormed
the irate old woman. 1.-The fact is
enough for men'
"I'll go home, then, if you will allow
me that, and wait till you are calm
enough to hear me-"
'Never, siri never will hear youi
You're an unprincipled adventurer,
and | know it. And Molly Ncsselrode
is the most arrant little coquette that
ever breathed! She's making fool of
you, sir-a fool-and you ought to
know it. You don't go back the way
YOU came, either, sir. l dare say you
think Molly is hiding in the garden
somewhere waiting for you"
"Verv well, madame" answered
Louis Basle with a very low bow, his
handsome face white. II shall 90 out
the front way then. But don't imagine
you are done with me! You'll hear
from me again if live!'
Il WON'T won't listen to you"
AS he passed through the wide, deco
rated hall, under convoy of the servant
madame had angrily summoned, he
caught sight of Molly herself peeping
over the banister, and evidently under
going ''agonics" of smothered laughter
at his expense. She had heard all.
Louis shook his fist at her behind the
servants back, and Molly kissed her
snowy finger tips at him in mock de-
tiance.
Molly worried the life out of her
poor old grandmother with her per-
formances of one kind or another.
The old lady idolised her, though,
and while she abused the child merci.
lessly herself, would bristle antagon.
istically if anyone else said word in
depreciation of her.
s.Her heart is in the right place.
just exactly what | was ut her age!'
she would assert dogmatically. Full
of spirits-that's all. l used to like s
Joke better than eating!"
Molly was a beauty, an orphan, and
an heiress. She was also an incorrig
ible nirt, and inveterately fond of prac
tical jokes.
Her grandmother, who was her guar
dian, lived in chronic state of terror
of all Wooers. in consequence of these
peculiarities of her charge.
Molly was secretly engaged to Mr..
Louis Basle; but until to-day she had
absolutely forbidden him to speak to
her grandmother about it.
On this special afternoon she had at
last consented that he might make
their mutual wishes known to Madame
Hoogly, provided he approached the
old lady strictly according to her
Molly's instructions.
Louis had friend whose windows
looked towards madame's back-garden,
and there was pretty summer-house
In the same garden, where madame
was very fond Of sitting with her knit
ting.
Molly's ''instructiOns" to her eagel
slave were to call upon his friend apc
make some excuse to go into tht
friends garden: then to climb over the
wall which separated the two demesnes
and steal upon the old lady unawares
In vain Louis represented the alb
surdity of such q performance, wheI
he could just as well enter the from
door.
"She won't let you come within
mile of her, if she knows it before
hand" persisted Molly.
"But couldn't you let me in the from
way yourself, and then take me int
the garden?"
"1mpossible! That would spoil every
thingn' exclaimed Molly with impress
iveness.
4 don't see Why" ventured Loui
very gently.
Then you don't love me, and W
won't talk about it any more!' poute
Molly.
..Oh, all right" cried Louis j
mortal terror. ''Any way you say
darling!"
1--WE will drop the subject, if yo
please, Mr. Basle!' ostentatiously stal
ing in the opposite direction, and draw
ing up the little slim figure with he
most naughty air,
"Oh, now, Molly-don't, darling
I'll do any way you like-you know
will, etc, etc.
OF course Molly had it all her ow
way. Basle was very wax in her artfl
hands.
Az his friend said, when he sheepist
ly confided the situation to him:
"You have got it bad, old fellow
Before I'd let Molly Nesselrode-"
Stop, Bob! You are speaking {
my future wife. remember, please!
said Louis haughtily.
"Oh, all right" exclaimed Bob wit
a grin. Il won't say another word.
And from that moment he did all
could to forward operations.
He told where there was ladder
the tool-house, and showed him whel
to plant 1.-THE only available spot,
fact, as roguish Molly had doubtlei
discovered.
alt does seem ridiculous" Louis a
knowledged at last to his friend. ''Bu
upon my word, I've got to do it,
Molly won't speak to me for month
"Besides, it will give me chance
) that old ogress, her grandmother.
! hope, and l only want one chano
: I'll make the old woman consent
/ spite of her.
. The top of the wall reached, wi
: Bob holding the foot of the ladde
Louis peered cautiously over on t
: other side.
Not one thing could he see b
leayes-millions of them it seemed
him-a perfect thicket of yerdure, il
penetrable to his eyes, at all events.
s"There must be Il limb somewhere
he said to himself. Here goes"