Richland beacon., 1888-07-28

went that precious flask and was shiver-
ed into sixteen million pieces !" she
cries, jumping up and striking tragic
attitude.
"Why, what was the matter with the
man.. Where were his eyes?" Janet
asks, Grossly, sitting up very straight.
''Oh, he had them with him, my dear,
and now, who do you suppose it was
that I've been raving over all day" and
having announced this piece Of news
with telling force, Cleo folds her arms
and looks across at Janet.
SIS that sol Well, well After that,
the Deluge! By-the-way, you were in
one at the time. / am amazed. 1t was
fate, my dear-it was written. Well,
and-go on-what did he do, and what
did you sayl" jamie questions in most
fluttering state of interest.
"Say? If you'll believe me, never
said anything. | couldn't. and 1 shall
be ashamed of myself for ever and day,
and you'll blush for me, know, when /
tell you that l actually stood there and
began to whimper. Yes, positively, 1
did, and / couldn't help it either. And
what did he dol Well, the first thing
was that he stepped little nearer, and
held his nice big umbrella over me, then
ne lifted his hat, in the most graceful
manner imaginable, and he said, MY
dear young lady, beg ten thousand
pardons; and am more than sorry to
have been so awkward rs to cause this
accident. What was in the fiask.' he
asked, glancing down. / told him, and
then he fairly insisted on going and get
ting another one filled for me; but of
course, could not permit that, so when
he saw how much in earnest l was he
did not urge me further, but said:
well, at least you'll let me relieve yon
of some of your packages, and allow Inc
the pleasure of seeing you safely home,
or some one else may go even further
than did and knock all your packages
out of your arms
"Well, lie was SO very polite and
charming about it all. and did look so
handsome and distinguished at the time,
and his beautiful eyes were SO eloquent
that naturally 1 gave my consent. And
now, who do You suppose he is, after
alll" Cleo demands, pausing to take
breath. "Herc is his card" with very
elaborate flourish; "Mr. Julian Van
Ness, at your ladyship's service
"Why, why. Cleo, you don't really
mean that he is the Julian Van Ness that
used to live Mt uncle's, and that we
romped and played together with?' quite
breathless.
"The same, madam, with overwhelm-
ing dignity.
"Why, Cleo And after this ejacula-
ton the young lady seems to subside into
blank and profound amazement, and
Cleo, quite elated with the effect she has
produced, continues:
"Yes, it is the very same youth. Didn't
l keep telling you how familiar his eyes
seemed? Well, he still makes uncle's
house his home, and he has gone into
business for himself and he has Just re-
turned from Europe-been there six
months and is immensely wealthy. How
he ever kept from laughing in my face
when / was so utterly crushed about
that wine, I'm sure I can't think. That's
somebody at the door,"
She flies 10 open it and comes face to
face with huge colored gentleman.
"Yes, am Miss Cleo Heath" she in
forms hlm, then ne puts great Ouhcn
of freshly cut, dewy flowers in her hand,
sets goodly sized demiiOhn inside the
door, bows to the bewildered ladies and
vanishes rs mysteriously as he came.
"Well, did you everl" janet cries, ex-
citedly.
"Wait until / read this note," Cleo
makes answer, land we will probably
be enlightened:
TO Miss Cleo and her sister, with my COM
pliments, and heartfelt wish that both the
bowers and the wine may cheer your hearts and
make you both happy. Very sincerely, your
old friend, JUIIANVAS NESS.
There, now! Was ever anything
more charmingly donel Didn't tell
you he was the incest man / ever metz"
looking with worshipful eyes at the flow