Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-12-20

one WORD, won't your"
Garnet said Van Elst, turning
slowly and displaying very white face,
i congratulate you with all my soul.'
That sounds we'll, said Garnet, after
meditated puff or two at his mer-
schaum pipe; but you might say it
with little more spirit, think. Hang
ii, man, didn't say was going TO die.
/ said was the accepted lover of the
sweetest girl In the world
Van Elst made a mighty effort,
smiled, grasped his friends hand and
replied:
my dear fellow you're the luckiest
man In the world IL that picture does
the lady justice, and she is as lucky as
yOu.'
That's better said Garnet, with
drawing his hand and thrusting two
knuckles into his mouth; but my dear
fellow, you needn't crush my ring
through to the bone with that grip of
yours. Eh?-lOoking at her picture
again? / shall be jealous of you In n
moment
You've no reason to be; but I can't
help staring at her picture, for I've met
the lady, and / admire her almost as
much as
You've met her? For heavens sake
where? demanded Garnet.
AT Bloomgrove, where l spent my
vacation, replied Van Elst.
The little witch! And she allowed
me all the while to fancy her at home
in Baltimore! suppose she thought if
l knew she was so near New York /
would run out to see her. All, these
Baltimore girls are very particular, Van.
And you've actually been near that
angel for fortnight, and / only thirty
miles away and entirely ignorat of what
was going on! Why, you blessed old
rascal! I'd like to choke you! Did she
ever mention my name?
No, but did to her, and was CRATE
full for the attentive manner in which
she always listened
What did you say about me%
Everything that was good replied
Van Elst, smiling.
Certainly you did, you honest old
friendn exclaimed Garnet, taking both
of his friends hands; 'and I've no
doubt that's why got her definite ans
wer within few hours. But oh, Van,
I'm only beginning to realize what lies
oCioiO ihO' 1lci IdiIiilN 10 nuV very ElCIl.
but they are very proud. How dare /
make formal proposal to her while !
am only poor clerkT
| Buy an interest in some business ,
said Van Elst. Have your name
known as that of a member of reput-
able firm.'
oh, Van, you're too modest pro-
tested Garnet, sarcastically. why
don't you advise me to buy railroad
or gold mine? 1t would be no harder
for man without q dollar beyond the
demands of the week. %
'Tve about $500 drawing interest," ;
said Van Elst. YOU'RE welcome to use
every cent ofit.' .a. u...t
'Vann exclaimed Garnet, you're al
most as much ola angel as FlOy. But
Pm not going to use your money!
Some day you'll find yourself as deep
in love as / am, and then you'll have a
business-like father to face. At that
time you'll need the money to make
your own position good.'
Van Elst tried to laugh, but he did
uot succeed, although he managed to
say:
Nonsense! Ishail never fall in love.
"uy1 hoIl tu lLuul dSO L was sure
you were as far gone as I. I think l
know the signs.'
You don't know anything; men in
love never do--they are utter FOOLS re-
piled Van Elst, with such savage en-
phasis that Garnet clapped his hands
and shouted:
'Capitally acted! BY jove, old boy,
you ought to go upon the stage. But
say, let me read you her letter-she'll
forgive me, guess, for letting so dear a
friend know its contents. Here it is.
She savs'-
Don't please, Garnet said Van EIst.
"A woman's heart shouldn't be opened
to more than one man-nOt even to the
man who most dearly loves her lover
And the end was that Garnet mar
ried Florence Ashmore, and Van Elst
is the dearest friend of both husband
and wife; and though he fondles his
namesake as tenderly as if it was his
own, no one has ever suspected what
he endured for the sake of his dearest
friend.