Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-14

International Palace Of Varieties as though
he'd been frog jumping out OF q hot frying
pan.
Next morning be sent for his SON
George" he said, addressing Lord Tootle,
when die you'll be a rich man"
1--WE won't talk about that. father" said
Lord Tootle; and he said it sincerely, for the
Young man, though 'chappie," was fond Of
his father.
"You know what the position is, George"
said Lord Fanfare, very seriously. Fan
fare castle is entailed: it costs thousand
year to keep up. You might, perhaps, let it
for $780, and you can't sell it. To poor
man, George. the castle is just white ele-
phant. II you offend me, Tootle," said bis
lordship severely, e'you'u be pauper. Now,
sir" cried Lord Fanfare, in a tremendous
voice, "what's all this hear about Laura
Flarer!"
"Father," said Lord Tootle, in frightened
whisper, ''I've asked her to marry me, and
she's hesitating because I've nothing to settle,
and mines only courtesy title"
Then for full half hour did Lord Fanfare
alternately retreat, bully and argue
But George Blowhard. commonly called
Lord Tootle, stood to his guns
Then his father lost his temper. "Out of
nv presence, sir!" he cried. "Ill lock you
up, III apply for lunacy commission Dam
me, sr." added the old man Electrically.
s.I'll save you in spite of yourself, or-or I'll
perish in the attemptr'
Next afternoon Lord Fanfare called upon
Miss Laura Flarer at her bijou residence in
Fulham.
The lady received him very graciously.
charmed to know you" she said. charmed
to know you-take cheer"
And then Lord Fanfare took 'cheer" and
carefully studied Miss Flarer through his
eyeglass.
"Will you have b. and s. ?" said the lady,
who was Hospitality inclined.
But Lord Fanfare declined refreshments
;'Tootle tells me, madame" said his lord
ship. coming to the point at once, that he
has offered to marry you"
George is a dear boy" said the lady. 81
think we shall be very happy" she added,
with sigh.
"Do you7" said his lordship, dryly. "Let
me tell you, madame, that my son Tootle is
weak minded pauper"
'Tll find the brains and the beauty" said
the lady airily.
brains and beauty amt much to keep
''But your lordship can't go ON living for
ever" said the lady, with one of her sweetest
professional smiles. you're Is, you know,
though you have the complexion Of boy of
L." she added tartly.
''There's nothing like plain speaking" said
Lord Fanfare. II Like you for it," he said.
Now, what on earth do you want to marry
my son for?"
Il want to be Lady Fanfare" said Laura
Flerer simply, and she gave her lips profess
sional bite that made them look ruddiec than
the cherry.
"And if you married my son, young lady,
said his lordship, you would, suppose-er
quit the scenes of your early triumphs?'
'Well, | couldn't go on doing turns as
Lady Tootle,n replied Miss Flarer, with toss
of the head
And have You saved much money out OF
your professional earnings, Miss Flarer, may
/ ask enough to enable you to maintain my
son in the position to which he has been ac-
| customed?"
And then the lady laughed, dear, delight
full, silvery, unartifcial, musical, music hall
sort of little laugh There's bill of sale ON
the furniture" she said, land | owe Psal-
manezar five hundred; but Tootle's lord,
NO, he ain't," replied his lordship; 'he's
only courtesy lord; Les just electroplate,
my dear young lady, that's all"
''Tll marry him all the same" said the
lady.
There's no other way out of it," thought
| Lord Fanfare. ''Tootle's big headed fell
low, and she will marry him, and then the
fatll be in the fire. Madam" said the old
nobleman, 81 have other views for my son
George Would you lind naming figures
81 won't do it, old gentleman" said Miss
Flarer. ~ mean to d: Lady Fanfare some
day or other, and it won't do. II you was to
paper this room with bank notes, my lord, il
'ud be no manner of use"
land that's your last word, madam
asked his lordship.
That's my last WORT" replied the eldest
and the plumpest of the three plump Mis-:
Flarers.
Then here goes" said his lordship to him
SELF as he pulled up his shirt collar, and then
to the lady's intense aStonishment, he sudden
ly dropped upon his knees; he placed hi.
hand upon his heart and, modelling himself
upon the lover of the melodramas, he begar
as follows. in an imprisoned tone:
Miss Flarer, you see at your feet the chel
of his house, the fourteenth Lord Fanfare
who begs to place at your disposal his hand
his title and his heart. Do not-er-bigh'
my young life by hasty refusal You want
to be Lady Fanfare Be Lady Fanfare-bt
Lady Fanfare Immediately. Here is special
license" he said, and he drew large envel
ope from his pocket There is a clergyman
in my cab at the door; our nuptials can take
place at once | am, as you are aware, 6
wealthy man. Need say morel'
AT first Miss Flarer was taken aback-tot
much astonished and taken aback to answer
You will have your joke, she said.
81 assure you I'm perfectly serious" sale
Lord Fanfare, rising to his feet. Pray d.
not keep me longer in suspense, my deal
young lady"
"Oh, Lord Fanfare!' cried Miss Flarer. 81
feel as if | was going to faint Ysu aim
laughing at mei'
Madam" replied Lord Fanfare with
shudder Its no laughing matter, l car
assure you"
Then if you really do mean it, though i
is so very sudden" said the lady, Il thinl
we'd better have him up. But therell havt
TO be witnesses, you know. my lord, and it'll
have TO be put in the papers, you know; ane
/ hope the license is all right, for Laurs
Flarer is only my professional name, yo'
know"
Its Mary Jane Briggs in the license" sal,
his lordshlp simply.
That's as right as ninepence," said Mis-