Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-10-27
her way to poor Harry, and put out her

her way to poor Harry, and put out her
hand
''Do forgive me, Harry" she whispered,
/ II was perfectly horrid and am ashamed
of myself; but you don't know how much |
have had to vex me this evening. Shake
hands, and let us be friends again, Just as
we used to-"
Under the gentle, pleading eyes Harry's
rancor and misery melted in a moment,
and hope sprang eternal" in his breast,
for "just as we used meant a great deal
more to him than to Elsie He nearly
crushed the small peace-making hand in
his vigorous grasp, and Elsie went back
smiling and relieved, only to meet another
] hand, terribly expressive pressure, pair
of eyes bent upon her from an immense
! hight, and to hear the fervent murmur
Tomorrow, early to-morrow,I shall see
you. Till then good-by, and God bless
you, Elsie. my best treasure ~
Elsie grew white as a ghost Really ?
Was tomorrow really to bring this dread
full fate upon her? Had she promised
without knowing it? Could nothing save
her?
Elsie Elsie" cried somebody, and
Elsie flew like the wind out of the room.
She had no courage left to face eyes and
questions. "Where on earth can the child
be-" queried Mrs. Baird, perplexed and
annoyed, as the last guest departed.
Robert, please see if you can find her,
while [ attend to having the house shut
for the night"
Roberts eyes were keen. He had
watched the tluttering exit and went
straight to the piazza Nothing vas
visible at the first glance, but 4 little sob
smote upon his ear, and making one stride
to the darkest corner, he lifted up a poor
little white heap and saw Elsie's face,
wild and wet with tears.
elsie, darling child, what is the mat
ter?"
son, Robin, Robin, dear! do take care Of
me-" cried Elsie, hiding her face in his
breast. Don't let that hateful man come
tomorrow and tell mamma that like
him. I never did. l hate him.
"What mau2 Don't cry so, my pet.
Nobody shall tease you so long as ] am
alive. What man was it?"
sob, you know-the man who sent me
the ridiculous bouquet"
Harry Blount?"
| NO, 10, cfIeu Elsie, Win HalI-n vs.
terical giggle. "He did it too. But !
soon made an end of him. 1t was the
other horrid creature-Mr Forsythe, you
know lie declares he'll go to mamma
tomorrow, and she'll be SO displeased with
me. He'll tell her l said | would marry
him, and it's q story, l never did, and |
hate him and his church and everything
about it. Oh, what shall | do?"
"Pll settle that young man." replied her
cousin. cheerfully. "And Tll talk to
mamma. So don't fret any more, little
heart. So you had your wish tonight,
Elsie-four bouquets and an offer"
"Two," corrected Elsie, with sob; ''that
ridiculous Harry
Cousin Robert laughed aloud.
ooh, DON'T" = piteously. at was all
so horrid But am quite comfortable
again, now that have you to take care Of
me, Robin, dear There's nobody like you
If [ had only had hold of this good old
coat sleeve all the evening, none Of these
unpleasant things would have happened
Oh, Robin, do devise some way so that
need never go out of your sight again.
hate being young lady. Offers, indeed
As if any man in the world were worth
your or mammals little finger! Can't you
arrange it so that need never have an
other offer, Robin ?"
Robert stopped suddenly and kissed the
little upturned face. 'There is this way
darling" he said, "Fll make YOU an offer
myself, and if you say Yes no one else
ever shall"
care you in earnest? Do you really
mean that? Isn't it just because you fee
sorry for me? For really and truly
though never thought of it before-this
is just the one thing in the world I should
like"
''Do you really mean that, my darling,
cried Robert, unable to believe In his own
good fortune
''Of course | do. There never could be
anyone in the world for me to care for as |
do for you. 1t is just perfect Mamma
and you and /, on and on, exactly as it has
always been, only thousand times better
Five minutes later and Mrs. Baird ap
peared on the scene. what is the mat
ter?' she exclaimed in aperemptory agitatec
voice. elsie, how you look! Are you ILL?
''Sit down, Marian" said Robert, hold
ing out a warm brotherly hand, but by ne
means unloosing the little clasping arms o
his newly-won treasure. will tell you
all about it. This poor little thing has
had horrid time. She never wants to %
to another ball, nor church either. She
has had four bouquets and three offers; she
has accepted them all and now she don't
know what to do. So the long and short
of it is you viii have to give her to me-"
Tableau!
"But she is so young?" queried The
anxious mamma, as, the first shock over
the pros and cons began to troop before
her minds eye, much to the advantage o
the pros-"so very young, and she has hat
no experience"
ooh yes, 1 have-terrible experienc,
this very evening" protested Elsie; "and
never expect to feel young again"
And with her mothers laugh the com
pact may be said to have been sealed
| Susan Coolridge.