The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-01-05

DOH uGubiOu LILY ut1lHG 30 S0Ou
after hersthis Edith to whom you
are Dick, darlingr"
DolIy!p r
ssCan you find no other word with
which to defend or vindicate yourself
except the repetition Of my name2" this
last with unnatural calmness.
The temperature had waited round
from the torrid TO the frigid zone.
Have you gone mad r. slowly.
.'If I have, find the cause there
Scornfully she flung him the crum-
pied note.
He snatched it eagerly and read
every word.
Then he lifted up face Of, if posi-
BILE, more intense, utter beWildermeni
than before.
Where did You get shis, Dolly9 2"
There"
She pointed dramatically to the tum-
bled overcoat
There 7" in blankest astonishment.
"There!n
He glanced from the note to the coat
from the coat to the note, then bach
again to Dolly.
She was longing desperately tc
steady her voice and still her heart suf
ficiently to ask him how he liked Ger.
ster, just to exhibit piece of stinginq
sarcasm; but she could not to save hel
life.
There was blank silence moment
then Dick walked over and picked up
the overcoat
Harki What was that?
Not a laugh, surely.
Yes, laugh.
The maddest, merriest, widest peal
that ever rang from human lips
There on the hearthrug stood Dick
the coat fallen loosely on the floor, his
hands on both hips, and laughing
we'll, he was.
"Dick = in faltering amazement.
"Yes," howled Dick.
"Oh, Dolly, it's the best joke of the
season.
And then he was roaring like a circus
mad schoolboy again.
"Dick tell mel"
Then, seeing her white, anxious face
he grew suddenly grave.
Dolly, did you look at the enpel.
ope?"
Il saw none."
He showed her the envelope that had
huttered unnoticed under the table.
She read the address:
RICHARD HARVEY, ESQ,
1872 Blank street.
Dolly, did you particularly notice
the oyercoat?"
A tremulous sNow
Look! See that velvet collar-those
buttons, this pocket-book! Is this my
overcoat?"
"Oh, Dick, my dearest, forgive me
No, no, nop
She was sobbing in his arms now.
my darling!"
"But," bubbling again into boyish
laughter, what good joke! 70 think
that [ should walk home in, and that
you should mend, Dick Harvey's over
coat! Wonder if his folks are going
through my pockets now?"
who's Edith?'
His sweetheart, whom he has tc
sneak off to see, because of formidable
heiress staying at his house at present,
to whom his folks are trying to marry
him. He told me all about it."
Dick" shy arms went creeping
round his neck, and blue eyes grew
luminous through their tears, I'm
never even going to be jealous again
l-I'm not going to ask you where you
were tonight" with triumphant hero.
ism, underlaid by stratum of madden
ing curiosity.
MY pet, I was just going to tell
you, but these will speak better than ]
can. You see had not quite forget.
ten what tomorrow was"
He had drawn leathern case from
his pocket, and touching spring dis.
closed set and necklet of milk-white
pearls on turquoise-velvet bed.
"Oh-h, Dickf'
A long-drawn breath, rapturous
lighting of blue eyes, lifting of rosy
lips, and then-well, when she goi
through Dick thought himself repaid
wont there be fun at the office to.
morrow. Jealous of Dick Harvey! But
by Jupiter, what areception / got! Oh
Oh! Dolly, Dolly, it's the best joke
on record"
And Dolly joined him merrily; for,
after all, is not the sweetest laughter
that which springs from tears?