The Wilmingtonian., 1888-01-28
-.-M-- 1ll-
MY ADVERTISEMENT.
Continued fro last ~c,k)

/ NS0't'NtNSU JfV tuSt NtfN.
After two solid hours of vast areu-
@entation, victory perched upon my
tent. Sir Giles agreed that it was
right and proper that |, being her
master and discoverer, so to speak,
should have the first chance of win
ming the perfect housekeeper to wife.
One calendar month was the time
agreed on between us in which was
TO try my prentice hand at wooing.
At the end of that time, if unsuccess-
fui, was to loyalty step aside and let
Sir Giles make his running. We
cracked bottle of old port over the
great matrimonial treaty, and parted
little after midnight without Jar
or crack in our lifelong friendship.
sank to sleep with the determin-
alton OF losing no time in prosecuting
my suit, but in the morning l found
nay courage was unequal to the task.
80 l put it off, and put it off, day after
day, and week after week. To be sue
cessful, love, like poetry, must be
made when one feels equal to it.
When the inspiration comes one can
make up for lost time. So | told
myself, and l waited for the coming
OF the divine moment and the divine
mood. Alas they did not seem in
any great hurry to.put in their appear
ance. And at last the final day of
grace arrived, and found me unin-
spired, inert and sluggish. What
was to be done Sir Giles would
hold me to time, and would go in like
war horse and carry her off before
my eyes. was in despair. Now, as
many poor devil has discovered, de-
spair is the next best thing to inspir-
alton, In my despair / sent for
Christine.
She came, and her first words we're.
"Are you i'll, Siri
''Do l look ill !7
every, Sir"
"Then doubtless l am.o
"Shall get you something 70
"Thank YOU some courage"
"Some what, Sir -
Courage"
She laughed and looked hard at me
to see if was out of my mind, prob
ably.
81 have more than I need. l wish
could give you some of mine. Is
there anything can do for you %
eyes, there is, if you will do it,"
- - = 'sst4 f1s'2sss.A
"Then, just make me an offer of
marriage, will you %
Again she laughed, and with sweet
blush said, "You would not accept, if
[ did, Sir"
81 will, indeed | will"
She hesitated while, then she said.
off you please, Mr.. Str ng-i'-th'-arm,
would you like to marry me 2"
| looked at her; she was crimson
with confusion.
| sprang to my feet, and seizing her
hand, exclaimed, "Yes, yes, with all
my heart"
Then | told her all about the matri-
monial treaty, and how Sir Giles's
turn would have come tomorrow.
"But you are mine, now, aren't YOU,
And, come to think of it, do love
you. | believe | loved you from the
start"
How she trembled as l took her in
my arms, and kissed her, the sweet
thing!
Disengaging herself from me, she
said, "Do you know, there must be
mistake somewhere, for Sir Giles
couldn't marry me. He is my uncle.
1t was he who persuaded me to answer
your advertisement"
| nearly tainted. Just then who
should march in but Sir Giles himself
"What does this mean % | thun-
dered.
Whereupon he lightened brilliantly
and mercilessly; he chaffed me and
laughed at me outrageously.
All, well, was not sorry to be his
nephew; and | stuck to my bargain,
and married Christine in few weeks,
and she is as perfect wife as she was
housekeeper.
Such was the outcome of my first
and last adyertisement.-Paul Cush-
ing, in Murray's Magazine.
THE END.