Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-12-25

unmarrleo Tor ner sake. She Isl going down
into the vale of years-five and twenty of
'em-a spinster for love of him. Neither
guesses the love of the other-a good
point, ehl''
''Very," said Toddles.
"Now, the question is" said Sparkle,
whether to unite them or to have her
confess her love for him beside his death
bed"
| ssThe latterl' cried Toddles, enthusiast
Ncally. ''But have him recover, after all,
and then marry 'em.n
Sparkle started up and grssped Toddles'
hand.
''Magnifcentp' he said. "You always
have original ideas.''
He sat down at Toddles' desk and began
to lance his stylographic pen into the air in
furious manner. highly suggestive of de-
lirium tremens. However, Toddles was not
alarmed; he knew that he was only getting
his pen into working order.
"Ah" he said as drop of ink appeared
at the point of the instrument, ''here we
are at last" He jotted down a memoran-
dunn and then wheeled about. 'Let me
read you this he said. II think you will
like it. My hero is soliloquizing-imagin-
ing that he Is declaring his love-ahem!"
and Mr.. Sparkle pushed his smoking-cap to
the back of his head, smoothed his Shake
spearean beard with his hand and began:
"'Beloved one-nay, start not; long have
! called thee so in my SOUL
''Is he Quaker?" inquired Mr.. Toddles.
mo, no. 1 always use thee and thou
for strong love passages" replied Sparkle.
"Seel"
"Oh, yes," replied Toddles. "How stupid
of mei'
''Not at ALL" said Sparkle. "Let me see."
J "'Beloved one-nay, start not; long have
l called thee so in secret. Have not my
eyes revealed to thee the tale my tongue re-
fused to utter. Hast thou not guessed that
my heart lay at thy feeta Nay, cruel one,
thou turnest from me. Should ask thee
to be mine scorn would be my portion. And
yet how can / live without theel Alas
alasi alasi'"
"What do you think Of itP'
sits very touching" said Toddles. "Do
you know, l should like TO confide in you"
''Do it, do it, my dear FRIEND" said Mr..
Sparkle.
''Sparkle, has it ever come into your mind
that have a secret woei" said Toddles.
''Well, it has," replied Sparkle. "rvs
heard you groan."
''Ine ,.ul, Sod Toddles, ''is connected
with lady,
'I thought So" said Sparkle. "Is she
Rnother's?"
'No, no." said Toddles, 'no; but there is
GOODNESS in her manner that has prevented
me from speaking. l have known her
twenty-five years-she is about my age
but l have never dared to address her,
never shall"
"Courage!" said Sparkle
81 have none where Henrietta Maria
Evergreen is concerned" said Toddles,
'Do you ever see her2" asked Sparkle.
Inn IT,
farm down there which let. go to collec,
the rent always call on Miss Evergreen
She asks me to take tea. do. / take hei
hand. We part That Is all"
"Do you never writer" asked Sparkle.
"Tes," said Toddles. ''She is very char
table. She holds fancy fair every sum.
mer on her grounds for the benefit of an
old ladies' home / send a check By the
| way, have just addressed my envelope CON
tanning 1t. It's there on the desk 1 say
thrust you are well, etc. > no more.'
"Say more next time?n said Sparkle.
Teddies only groaned,
Just then the breakfast bell rang. and
Sparkle fastened away. AS for Toddies
he gathered up some sheets Of paper on his
desk, put them into the envelope directed *
hiss Henrietta Maria Evergreen, added the
usual check for the old ladies' home, and
| W ROSS VIA A1AS " 49,
town. He reached home again. as usnaI
before dinner time, and was touching him
seit UP IN his room when Sparkle Knocked
at the door .''s.~ 7s>',
''only to ask you If you saw sheet OF my
manuscript on your desA this morning. II
Is the one read to you-the soliioquy,"
es, yesi l remember. But il is not
here" said Toddles, rummaging his desk
mo, nothing here nothing. Why, what Is
thisi-what is thisl What have done?-
great heaFens what have done.''
"What.H roared Sparkle, catching the
contagion OF horror.
I've done what must cover me with
shame to my dying dayi'' roared Toddles
Here is the letter wrote TO Miss Henri
eta Maria Evergreen have left it out oi
the envelope and put your manuscript in in
stead Oh, I've done tive done It; and
she viii think have gone mad. Why, I'd
Tziher have died than send her that mass oi
stuff and nonsense theeing and thouine
her. Oh, Lordr'
: You said Jon admired i. Toddles,n = sail
TIE Iniignenf anthor