Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-28

more than usual care, and his step was a
elastic as boys as he ran down tn
steps, Ten minutes ride on the surfae,
rails would have brought him to his des
tination, but he preferred to walk, anC
his thoughts translated into speech would
be expressed as follows: tSilas Single
ton, this is momentous crisis in YOU
life. You are about to ask girl to b,
your wife, but don't make fool of your
self, Silas Singleton. Be calm, concise
and decisive. Get to the point at once
and you must be successful
He paused at the door of tenement
house in West Thirty-fourth street tc
adjust his necktie before ascending th,
stairs. He knocked at a door on thu
second floor, and a clear, girIish voice
bade him come in.
"Good-evening, Miss Lefty" sale
Silas, as he entered the room.
"Oh, good-evening, Mr. Singleton
Let me take your hat, sir. Mother has
just gone out to the butchers, but shell
be back presently"
''Surely the Fates are fighting in my
favor" thought Silas. He was alone with
Lefty, and had clear stage to enter on
his wooing without fear of immediate in
terruption.
Lefty Larendon was not handsome,
but, like hundreds of her sister work
ing girls in New York, she was indus
trious, self-reliant and elf-denying.
Silas was not an infrequent visitor to
her humble home He was her faith
er's friend, and it was through his in
fluence that Lefty had secured posi-
ton as stenographer in a merchants
office, which enabled her to support a
widowed mother and brother many
years younger than herself.
| 'I hope your mother is growing
stronger" silas said as he seated him
self quite close to the girls side.
Indeed she is, sir, and I'm sure we
shall never forget how very kind you
have been to US, Mr.. Singleton
''Oh, nonsense! But when she loses
you, Miss Lefty, I'm sure she'll miss
you, for you are a model daughter.
and deserve the best reward such girl
can get, and that is good husband.
Do you ever think of marrying, Miss
Letty2n
*Oh there's time enough to think of
! that yet, was Letty's laughing re-
ply.
IA mistake, Miss Larendon, a mis-
take, believe me. Early marriages.
mean the early marriages of females-is
to be commended Prosoed thie Wow
on my nephew last night, and urged
him to marry. Jack is SO far Of my
opinion that he protests he will be mar
ried within a week Miss Lefty, take
my word for it, you will be happier mar
ried to the man that loves you and can
give you pleasant home. Suppose this
man speak of loved you to distraction,
as he does, and that his name was
Singleton, what would you say, Letty2''
Uncle silas had dropped formal 'sMiss, y
and his hand was laid carressingly on the
girls shoulder Miss Larenden's embar-
I rassment would have been very appar-
ent to her ardent lover if he had been
looking in her face, which he was not
as he continued: Lefty, my dear, what
do you say to changing your name to
Singleton? You will never have cause
to regret the step, for your husband shall
be your slave and adorer. You will
make me happy; and Jack-why Jack,
although the boy is too bashful to give
expression to this feelings, will swear
you are an angel. .
Whatever emotions the old mans
words stirred in Letty's breast, she en-
deavored to conceal, and it was in a
calm and somewhat faint voice she muir
INJURED: eff you wish it, sir, and il
Jack"
"Why, Of course, we both wish it, ),
he interrupted, and the infatuated Silas
proceeded to seal the contract with a
kiss. Now his nephew could have told
that kissing is an art that can only be
acquired by patient study of details and
heroic perseverance in practice, and
Silas Singleton's osculatory performance
was not brilliant success. With the
best intentions in the world he only sue
ceoded in reaching the tip of Letty's
somewhat retrousse nose instead of her
lips, but he left the house as happy as
old age can sometimes be in the perpe-
tration Of folly.
CHAPTER ITT.-THE DENoUEMENr.
Lefty, have alarming news for you.
Uncle Silas is thinking of getting mar
ried. Married means, I suppose, my dis
inheritance. Then where shall be, and
where, OH where shall you be, Letty2p
Always in your heart, dear Jack, ]
hope, no matter how your uncle may dis
pose Of his fortune \
"say, Lefty, whatll ye gimme if
give ye a letter, an if don't tell Jack
that I saw old man Singleton kissing
yew 1t was the eafant terrible of the
family, Letty's small brother, who had
entered the room, with letter in the
hand he held behind his back.
"Ohi you bad boy, | shall certainly
tell mother; nd-give me that letter
Immediately" exclaimed Lefty as sh'
snatched it from her brothers hand.
Eddie, my young friend,n said Jack
ION principle I-object to rewarding ar
informer, but here is nickle, and