The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-09
BAsHFUL.


and '1ove OF mustschs;p aud, but for one
thing he would have beer all right, but my
hero was afflicted with the most provoking
of aiiments-extrene bashfulness-which
excited alternately the pity and amusement
of his various ecqusintaDces.
Among Mr.. Champions friends WAS
dsmsel of some eighteen summers, who had
made decided impression upon his suscep-
tible heart, She was O tiny little fairy, with
profueion of light, flowing hair, and mig
chievous blue eyes, which struck strange
thrill to the heart of our poor hero whenever
they were turned in his direction
The consequence vas that, after short
acquaintance, Mr.. Champion was despsr-
ately and overwhelmingly in love with her.
As Pat very fensibiy remarks. he ''conldn't
slape for dramin' of her. 60, you gee, when
matters got TO that crisis. they must have
been pretty serious.
Having thus surrendered his heart Mr..
Champion was thrown into perfect turmoil
of doubt, perplexity and distTess. One thing
was neeced to make him happy. and that
was to ascertain that his love was returned;
but, alas here came the tug of war! for, with
his extreme bashfulness he would sooner
have walked up to the lannon's mouth than
to have declared to Miss Phebe May his love;
ut the same time he wes quite positive he
could not possibly live without her; SO nv
poor hero's predicament. was decidedly an
unpleasant one.
Things went on this vay for some time,
until finally he felt that he could stand it no
longer. be resolved, with true heroism, 10
overcome bis tashfulDess for once and learn
his fate; so. one afternoon, summoniog up
ali bis foItitude, he arrayed himself in his
best 6undsy-g c-tc-meetL" suit arranged
his uscktio in the most faultless manner,
and. taking his gloves sailed forth.
I beg perdonl-tbe last few words were
slightly incorrect. He got ss far as the door;
but here his fortitude suddenly ielt the
emergency to great, and retired precipl-
lately, leaving poor Mr.. Champion In chair
at the farther corner OF the room.
Five mortal times did that heroic young
man eTdesyor to cT1ss the threshold of the
door; and IS many times did ais courage fail
him, and he inevitably found himself ar the
emo of o few moments back in the chair,
shaking from head to foot. and nervously
puiiiD-, at his gloves thereby threatening
their ultimate destruction.
But-so his everlasting reuovn be it
.spoken-ths sixth time he determined that
he would 10 on; and. with great effort, sue.
-ceeded in making ths Start
The Tesisence Of Mss Phe be was but a few
blocks CT, and his courage sustained him
until he reached the very corner, and then
don't know whether it was that the side
street offered such an inviting promenade
although I'm inclined TO think it WASH {
that-but, at ell events, after fuctuating on
that precise corner for about @ minnie he
started down il ct rate that threatened
soon either TO precip;tate him into the At
lantic Ocean OR fetch him up among the
aDtipodes.
Our hero continued this headlons pace for
aboutdive minutes; then, as his scattered
senses began 10 come back to him, he stopped
n IN n
''This will never do" he exclaimed at last.
az must know my fate to-day" and he
turned back and finally reached the house.
With tTem bling heart he assembled the
steps and rang the bell. He was admitted
by servant, falteriDglY inquired for Miss
! May. and the next moment found himself
alone in the parlor.
After lapss of about i've inmates a light
step was heard on the stairs, and Mr. Cramp-
ton knew that his divinity was coming. At
that sound his first impulse was TO rush for
the door, bat controlling himself by great
effort, he awaited her coming.
We will mention Just here that our heros
attachment for Miss May was returned by
her. and che had been for a long tims await.
ing his proposal, although, knowing his ex.
cessive bashfulness. she feared that happy
moment would never come. When, there
fore, on this day he was announced, she Of
once surmised his errand. aud. of course,
was much rejoicsd thereat. determining al
inc tHmo Time 10 make the Qr6dQ OsQe8l nS
easy for him as possible.
She therefore entered the parlor with her
brightest smile, looking more bewitching
than ever, and consequently increasing ouI
poor hero's agitation.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Champion" she
said. pleasantly, and she held out her hand
Good afternoon, my-you-that is-MisS
May" stammered our hero. feeling his
trepidation return teDfod; and he rose and
took her band, knocking over chair in bis
.confusicni
The act was such iudlcrous one that Miss
May could hardly keep from laughing; bu,
for fear of wouHding Mr. Crampson's feel
iDgs she restrained herself; aud when the
unfortunate chair had been restored to il:
perpendicular, and Mr.. Champion had sunk
somewhat exhausted on the sofa, she seated
herself on Q chair near him.
I'VE are having fine weather, Mr.. Crsmp
Ion. are We not?' she remarked, pleasantly
"Yts--nc-that is. / think-yes. il isl
faltered our hero. Then with a desperat,
feeling that he must come TO the point O
once. if ever, he continued:
Miss May. l came to see if"
We'll, Mr. Crampton. what?' asked Phebe
With roguish sparkle in her eye
lts--yes-very fine veather-indeed i
is'' exclaimed Mr.. Champion. with some
thing of the feeling of n man who had had
narrow escape from drowning.
short silence ensued, and sgain Mr.
Champion mustered up courage and be san
miss Phebe. will you"
Il wiz be happy TO ohlgs YOU in an
way" replied Phebe sxeetly, after IN vaiI
waiting for him to continue.
az YES about to remsrk-thst-thst the
zhe ball the ether night was 9 very fine one. >
was the provokiDganswer then again: miss
Pbebe-n then again q dead stop
This will never do resolved poor Mis-.
Phebe. mentally; there this poor, dear mar
is actually killing himself with irving &c
come to the point aud. as it is too much for
him. Ishall have TO do it myself" SO, lsy
ing her hand on his. while be was staring CD