The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-19
BASHFUL.


most provoking of ailments extreme
bashfuIness. Among Mr.. Crampton's
friends was damsel of some eighteen
summers, who had made decided i'm
preston upon his susceptible heart. One
thing was needed to make him happy,
| and that was to ascertain that mis- love
was returned; bat, alas! here came the
| tug of war, for, with his extreme bash
fulness, he would sooner have walked up
to the cannon's mouth than to have de-
clared to Miss Phebe May his love. He re
solved with true heroism to overcome hla
bashfulness for once and learn his tate; SO
one afternoon. .summoningu all his 1ortl-
tude he sailed forth. lie got IS far as
the door; but here his fortitude suddenly
felt the emergency too great and retired
precipitately. Five mortal times dld
that heroic young man endcavor to cross
the threshold of his door, and as many
times did his courage fail him. But-to
his everlasting rcnown be 1T spoken-tne
sixth time he determined that he would
po on. and, with great effort, succeeded
in making the start.
With trembling heart he ascended the
steps and rang the bell. lie was admit
ted hy servant, falteringly inquired for
|
himself alone in the parlOr.
After the lapse of about five minutes a
light step was heard on the stairs, and
Mr.. Crampton knew that his divinity
was coming.
She entered the parlor with her bright
est smile, looking more bewitching than
ever.
Good afternoon. Mr.. Champion, ~
she said, pleasantly, and she held out
her hand.
"Good afternoon, my-you-that is
Miss May, stammercd our hero, feel
ing his trcpidation return ten fold; and
he rose and took her hand, knocking
over chair in his confusion.
1--WE are having fine weather, Mr..
Crampton, are we not2' she remarked,
pleasantly.
Yes-no-that is, l think-yes it
is !" faltered our poor hero..@,Thcn, with
desperate feeling that he must come to
the POI at once, if ever, he continued.
Miss May, came to see if
"Well, Mr.. Champion, what?" asked
Phebe, with roguish sparkle in heI
eye.
"Yes-yes-very fine weather. indeed
it is" exclaimed Mr.. Champion, with
something OF. the feeling of imam who
had a narrow escape from drowning.
A short silence cnsued, and again Mr.
Champion mustered up courage and be,
gan:
Miss Phebe, will you"
Il will be happy to oblige you in any
way" replied Phebe, sweetly, after in
va waiting for him to continue.
Il was about to remark that-that-
the ball the other night was a very fine
one, " was the provoking answer; then
again: "Miss Phebc-' and again o
dead stop.
''This will never do!' resolved Miss
Phebe, mentally; ''here this poor, dear
man is actually killing himself with try
ing to come to the point, and, as it is too
much for him, shall have to do it my
SELF" so. laying her hand on his, while
he was staring abstractedly out of the
window, she said, in a most ludicrously
woe begoue tone:
"Mr Champion, do you expect me to
do all the courting?"
Mr. Champion was dreadfully con-
fused.
IL beg pardon-I didn't mean
he began.
eyes, you didr' interrupted Phebe,
with her most roguish smile then, draw
ing little closer to him, she con-
tlnued
''The matter stands just this way, Mr..
Crampton! you love me-and II love
: you! so, then, what is the use of making
such n terrible time over it?"
"You love mc'' cried Mr.. Champion,
ecstatically, and he caught her close tc
him; aud thereupon commenced a most
interesting performance, res sambling most
the conclusion of two pairs of lips.
"And now ISIS it all over?" asked
Mr.. Champion, after a short silence, az
he wiped tue perspiration from his brow
"Not quite" laughed Phebe, as sh.
extricated herself from his embrace
''you haven't asked me to have you yet.
"And, oh, my dearest Phcbe, yol
wort refuse!" cried our hero, patheti
cally.
'I'll take the matter into considera
tion!" was the merry reply.