The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-05-05

y: - sEf-E.EI
lodging very late in the evening, and he
looked so buoyant and happy that L
knew it was all settled; and why
shouldn't it be 4? (this latter a little adj
monition delivered internally, to some
part of me that would sigh in thinking
of iD.
"Yes, it's all right, old boy" he said,
clapping me on the shoulder, which / u
little resented, for the weight of his fist
was not light; land she has cared for me
all along and thought I was never going
to ask her.
1.-THE deuce she has, / said, sticking
"A knife into loaf of bread in front Of
me, for ] mad 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 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
u centre pedestal and had great ten
sency to lurch: and I had discovered
three different catalogue numbers of
sales upon it underneath. But j am
depressing.
II want but one thing to complete my
happiness" Jack said; and the table
creaked under him. and caused the
cheese to run a race with the knife along
the dish. "lf only you could get your
appointment and go with us
\ 1,
an injured air. IL got the notice that /
was appointed TINS morning"
"Why in the name of all the gods
didn't YOU tell a fellow"
II 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 = l calculated. Little Wasp
is Little Wasp aud can be nothing else
| to any of us who have known her. But
of course" l added with some dignity,
"she will have n new name to be called
by soon and shall use that"
Nonsense, old fellow" replied my
| friend, ''we are not going to make a strall.
| ger of You. and you are welcome to cal
! her Ellen like me-.
/ / thanked him with little Of a sneel
in tone, ] am afraid, and respectfully de
clined
"As you like, said Jack, giving the
table fearful wrench. In fact such was
the danger, was compelled to remon
strate, and suggest that there were chairs
in the room, even if not of the most de
sirable shape and sOftness.
"Ah, to he sure, 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
4 us.
cts only getting my hand in for the
Bay of Biscay; and hang it, if l care fol
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 2" said. Somehow j could not bear
to aear him run on. "Ill allow she's a
very pretty little sinner
Sinner cried Jack. knocking down
my cigar-case from cup.b board near his
elbow with magnificent Indifference. 81
like that She who is as stainless as
! -
Here interrupted him. don't GO
ON, aid, 81 know the rest; and You
know we've all been so used to talking OF
her lightly (''and thinking seriously, y
/ added mentality.
Ear too lightly said Jack with
asperity, land won't hear any more Of
it. She'll he Mrs. Percival in a few
days time; and if tina: captain shows his
nose near
Don't threaten l said 1.-THE land
lady is always listening at the door, and
when open it she's always just going
to knock. Besides, it would look like
distrust to be behaving in that manner
and 1 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 1, who