Morris tribune., 1886-03-17

bag circulated from hand to hand, car
rying, as is the wont of these institu-
tions, a little current of merriment and /
laughter in its wake. Georgia drew a
cigar-case, Mr.. Mott became the pro-
prietor of q rag-doll, and Miss Orinthia
Brown drew-a letter, addressed TO
herself.
Gilbert Mott. leaning against the
doorway, saw Miss Brown hurrying up
to Georgia and displaying her prize
with malicious glee; while Georgia col
ored and bit her lips, and looked ready
to cry, and feigned a merry little rip
pie of laughter, all in one and the same
breath.
"Why don't that horrid old maid
keep away from Georgia Arlington!'
thought our discontented hero. "She
looks like dried up bunch of raisins
beside cluster of blooming Isabella
grapes. l." :,
And, watching his opportunity, he
slipped through the crowd and edged
up to the table where Georgia was sell
ing pin-cushions and tape trimmings at
an exorbitant price. .
Georgia. he whispered softly,
Georgia.
But she turned her head haughtily
away.
please to excuse me, Mr.. Mott, she
said, coolly.
While Gilbert was staring at her in
amazement,a a hand was slipped through
his arm, and Miss Orinthia Brown drew
him gently away.
''Where are you going?" he demand
ed, rather unwillingly.
''Just outside the door, one minute,
whispered Miss Orinthia, falteringly.
..It is not in the tumult of common
crowd that such words should be spok-
enr' :
''What words? / haven't an idea
what you meant cried the young
man.
Orinthia drew him into the hall, her
head dropped on his shoulder.
"Yes," she faltered, Eyes! How
could you for moment doubt it"'
s.Doubt what? Excuse me, Miss
Brown, but think your wits are for
saking you," said Gilbert Mott, striy-
inc to extricate himself from the dam
sells grasp.
Gilbert, would you, then, be false to
me?n sobbed Orinthia, with the dawn
ing symptoms of Mysteries.
Il! False to you!" echoed our hero.
Miss BrowA will you be so good as &c
tell me at once, and plainly, what you
are talking about?"
Orinthia Browns sallow cheeks red
dened-her eyes sparkled ominOusly y, as
she drew from her pocket the precious
missive.
..Do YOU mean to say, sir, that you
didn't write this letter.? she demanded
Gilbert took the letter and scrutlnlseu
it closely. -,
|, "Yes, of course, | wrote the letter?
Then, dearest -"
"Stop, though" he interrupted, fran
tically. cit wasn't to your
mot to me?"
mo. Do you suppose l want to mar
ry your
Miss Orinthia uttered shrill shriel
, but the next moment she was alone
, Gilbert Mott had vanished.
: For the matter was growing serious
: now. If Georgia were to be won, sh'
must be won at once, before Fate con
7 spired with any other old maid to de
: prive him of her coveted love.
Georgia" he said, planting himsel
+ resolutely beside her. Il have 60
. something wish to say to YOU"
"You had great deal better sayit t.
, your beloved Miss Orinthia," SAT-
: Georgia, tossing her flaxen curls.
''But she isn't my beloved Miss Grin
e thia, cried Gilbert.
q II suppose you will be denying you
own handwriting next said Georgia
: Indignantly. ''But it's of no use;
: saw the letter myself. -
"But, Georgia, the letter was write
q to you"
= up little, show did she get it?"
i ''That's just what | can't compre
: hend myself" said Gilbert; ''but on
thing am very certain of love yor
f and you alone, and won't leave 20
t until you tell me whether the love is RI
!. turned"
. And he did not; neither was it neceE
{ sary for him to stay there very long.
But to this day nobody, save Billy
" the irrepressible, knows exactly ho7
4 Georgia's letter came into Miss Orlr
j thia Browns hands.