Richland beacon., 1888-03-24

looked SO buoyant and happy that
knew it was all settled; and why
shouldn't it he 2 (this latter little al.
monition delivered internally, to some
part of me that would sigh in thinking
of it,.
"Yes, it's all right, old boy" he said,
clapping me on the shoulder, which a
little resented, for the weight of his fist
was not light; "and she has cared for me
all along and thought / was never going
to nsk her.
"The deuce she has" / said, sticking
a knife into loaf of bread in front of
me, for had been eating my supper
He looked little surprised at my
expression, but he was too full of his
own happiness to notice me much, and
ratified ON, seating himself upon the
/ table in q manner which would have
alarmed my landlady could she have
seen him, for that article of furniture
/ was none of the newest nor the most
modern. 1t was round, and stood upon
/ a centre pedestal and had n great ten
dency to lurch; and l had discovered
three different catalogue numbers of
sales upon it underneath. But L am
ulSEeSSlIlS.
II want but one thing to complete my
happiness" Jack said; and the table
creaked under him, and caused the
cheese to run q race with the knife along
the dish. "If only You could get your
appointment and go with u.s..
Now was my time. | looked up with
an injured air. II got the notice that |
was appointed this morning"
"Why in the name Of all the gods
didn't you tell a fellow"
81 should like to know what chance |
had replied. For the last six months
there has been only one subject of con
vcrsation between us, and Little Wasp
has -"
Here he interrupted me.
"Look here, old fellow" he said; we
must drop that absurd nickname. Her
real name is Ellen
"Abserd - calculated. Little Wasp
is Little Wasp and can be nothing else
to any of lis who have known her. But
of course" added with some dignity,
"she will have a new name to be called
by soon and shall use that"
Nonsense, old fellow" replied my
friend, eve are not going to make strmi-
ger of you, and you are welcome to call
her Ellen like me-
thanked him with little of sneer
in tone, am afraid, and respectfully de
clined.
GAS you like" said Jack, giving the
table q fearful wrench. In fact such was
the danger, was compelled to remon-
strate, and suggesethat there We're chairs
in the room, even if not of the most de-
sirable shape and softncss.
"Ah, to he sure, l thought it was rick
ety. he said, descending from his perch
and seating himself next upon my camp
stool, which collapsed under him, result
ing in bursts of laughter from both of
us.
ats only getting my hand in for the
Fay Of Biscay; and hang it, if care for
anything he said, seating himself with
some care in my armchair, "now that
angel has linked her lot with mine"
"What are you calling her an angel
for / said. Somehow / could not bear
to hear him run Oh. '1'll allow she's a
very pretty little sinner"
Sinner cried Jack, knocking down
my cigar case from cup board near his
elbow with magnificent Indifference. 81
! like that She who is as stainless as
Here | interrupted him. "Don't go
on, said, 81 know the rest; and you
know we've all been so used to talking of
her lightly" c'and thinking seriously" ="
added mentally.
'.Fnr too lightly said Jack with
asperity, ''and won't hear any more of
it. She'll be Mrs. Percival in few
days time; and if that captain shows his
hose near--
"Don't threaten" said. 1.-The land
Indy is always listening at the door, and
when l open it she's always just going
to knock. Besides, it would look like
distrust to be behaving in that manner,
and l don't think that's fair to her,
coquette though she has been"
''Well, it can't matter much, for We
are all going away" said Jack, rising
and lighting up.
The scene had changed; and I, who
thought myself practical, and free of
sentiment, while others made love, or
fooled, as termed it, around me, was
now feeling rs l leaned, not against II
five-barred gate this time, but against
the poop of vessel with the raging Bay
of Biscay all surrounding us. that 1 had
great deal of sentiment. in me after all !;
and indeed there is nothing like q grea.
storm to bring out the true woman i'll a
man, which is there sure enough if it
can only be reused: just as my poor
Little Wasp proved there was plenty of
the man or manly courage in frail,
swcetly nature painted little woman.
She was with her husband below now,
cheering and consoling him, was sure:
for she who had on coming on board
shuddered only less black beetles might
be in the cabin, WAS now strong and firm
and even cheerful since the captain Lad
told us he feared We could never weather
the gale.
There were many passengers on board.
don't know the number, for I conld
never read the newspaper accounts.
But Ellen Percival. in her blue serge,
was hither and thither, consoling
mothers, comforting children, and even