St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-02-23
OR, ONCE TOO OFTEN.
New York Morning Journal.

New ork Morning journal.
it is true that the young men of
Ditcham were poor material TO tlirt with,
but |, Grace Merlin, being the daughter
of the minister, had an opportunity to
see the best of that limited matrimonial
market. 1t was generally conceded that
| was an arrant cOquette, just because l
sent poor curate about his business
and disturbed the placid eQuanimity of
two or three other young men, whose
very names have forgotten.
l don't think the gossips objected that
was a cOquette, but that was also a
ministers daughter: that was what
CALLED the busybodies and was some
thing they could not get over.
81 L was beginning to sigh for fresh con-
quests, having used all the material at
hand, when dear papa one morning an
nounced that Cyril Hallerton, the young
lord of the manor, who had been an ex-
lie so long, was coming home. How my
heart beat, for now l thought was a
chance for me to try shooting at higher
game.
My first move was to get papa to buy
al OulHl-t c1edIll-cOlOTeU
dress and brown Van Dyke hat, and
l wore them on the day Mr.. Hallerton
returned.
The poky curate, Slowcombe, who
had fallen in love with me, was one of
the crowd, with the school teacher and
his children, who stood near our party
as the carriage rolled through the park
gates, with papa and the young heir in
side. They were both bowling left
and right. When Mr.. Hallerton saw
me he started, and asked papa who [
was; that repaid me for all my troubles
about my toilet.
Mr.. SlOwcombe must have observed
my agitation and have guessed its
meaning-an amount of shrewdneS for
which | am at loss to account. | had
intended to give him just enough ell
enlargement to keep him at a proper
distance, but by his thoughtless conduct
he had upset all my calculations. He
came to the rectory in the afternoon,
followed me into the garden and pro-
posed to me then and there. In such
narrowing predicament what could I
do? Only plead for time.
How veXlng the man was, to be sure.
/ finally told him l would be able to an
Swer him in months time.
This was very satisfactory. 1t gave
me what L Wanted-tlme.
Mr.. HallertOn called next day. and
was formally introduced TO me by papa.
He seemed to take a great liking to me
at once, and l did my utmost to encour-
age it. He was a good talker, having
been much abroad and having seen
many strange things; and | was a good
listener. Before he left he asked
mamma if he might soon call again, as
we were such near neighbors. | took
upon myself to answer for her.
During the ensuing month Mr.. Halter
ton and | spent many hours together.
AS 1t was warm, sunny weather-nOt a
drop or rain the whole time-we found
the garden very delightful. | felt sure
he was in love with me; but still be
did not propose. Such was the position
the eve of the day fixed for giving my
answer to Mr.. Slowcombe.
In desperation | took counsel with
Susan, our old housemaid, who had been
my confidante since babyhood.
Susan" l whispered, don't you
think ne is madly in love with me?"
''L0r' bless you, miss, nO.' was her
startling reply. He's only a-fooling
you"
"A-fooling me, Susan.' said, anx-
iOusly; "what do you mean?"
''Just this: Mr.. HallertOn's a gada-
bout-One of the sort that goes amusing
themselves till they get gray hairs and
then marrieS nurse"
"MarrieS nurSe!'
Eyes; somebody to take care of
them"
l felt so faint l could hardly stand.
81 DON'T believe you," l said; ''how
do you know MI. Hallerton is one of
that sort?"
likes of HIM don't match with the likes
of you. He'll marry money and posi-
ton if he marries at this side of forty.
You may take my word for that?'
OF course | was furiously indignant
with Mr.. Hallerton. Of course L ac-
cepted Mr.. Slowcombe when he came
to me that morning. And then, scarcely
an hour later, Mr.. Hallerton asked me
to be his wife. You see what fright
full dilemma that stupid Susan had got
me into, There was only one way out
of ito give the preference TO the bet
ter sutton.
l sent Mr.. Hallerton away happy. as
had already sent Mr.. SloWcombe away.
1t does not fall to the lot of every girl
to make two lovers happy in a single
morning; nor does it fall to their lot to
encounter misfortune such as | after
wards encountered.
The two men searching fer papa, who
was visiting in the parish, met and told
each other that they were the luckiest
fellows in the world? Why? Because
l had consented to marry them. Just
fancy what scene there was! If one
had not been a clergyman believe they
would actually have fought. In the
end they decided to refer the matter to
me. Though they were supposed to be
in company, Mr.. Hallerton walked on
in front and Mr.. SlowcOmbe strobe
along modify few yards behind. And
SO saw them from the garden gate.
Tldt was a dreadful moment for me.
Grace" painted Mr.. Hallerton, "what
do you thiuk this fellow has the impu-
eence to say? That you are engaged to
him! That you have become engaged
to him this very morning. toov
Didn't l speak the truth, Grace?''
.2ked Mr.. SlowcOmbe.
What right had you to speak at ALP
Indignantly demanded, when L could
collect my thoughts. ''Why couldn't
you hold your tongue? Is it an honor
t,3le act, sir, to make mischief? DO you
call that the act of gentleman?'
IL don't understands he stam-
Nrered.
"That's just it. You never under
stand anything. l love Mr.. Hallerton
end am engaged to him. Is that plain
enougb?"
Quite" he answered sadly. Good
k-n ~ l.