The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1889-12-12

Nonsense, Sam, said the belle.
.'Oh. now, Mattyr'
Nonsense. / say" And Miss Vail
shut the door in Mr.. Pratt's face with
a laugh.
He's not half so pleasant as Frank,
after all, said Matty to herself; and
then followed an interview with her
unexpected guest.
How NIGEL" cried Matty. I'VE
can sleep together, and talk every
thing over. can't wep Oh, no, ma,
I'm not wet much. and you needn't
have saved tea for US. We had a love-
ly supper in the woods.
"Oh!" cried Matilda Hewitt, clasp
ing Miss Wallis hand, Eve so much
to tell your
Matty's eyes sparkled.
what did he sayP"
'.I'll tell you after the lamp is put
out" said Miss Hewitt. hanging down
her head. .s.....
"You don't mean -
Yes, do whispered Miss Hewitt.
He really and actually dM--pro-
poser ss..
.Nonsense!' said Matty Vail, biting
her lip. You must have misunder-
stood him."
misunderstood. 1indeed!" retorted
Miss Hewitt. I'm sure he spoke
plain enough.
but you Shouldn't accept man
who was scaught in such trap as
thatpn
- trap p stammered Miss Hewitt
Yes-of course. He thought it
was me-"
I '.Do.you suppose he didp'' Gin falter-
| ing accents.
There can't be a doubt about it.
Then, of course, -there,s= an-end-of
this matter" said Matilda, with lit
| tie CULVER in her voice.
But you'll tell me just what he
saidpn
mo; | certainly shall not betray his
confidence"
Confidence, indeed!" flashed out
Matty Vail. "a pretty confidence
But do tell me, just for the joke of the
matter" @
Matilda was silent. To her it was
no joke.
I'D have you to know that 1 have
had proposal, too" added Matty.
brushing out her luxuriant blende
tresses. THAT ridiculous Pratt. OF
course, I only put him off. do think
all the men are crazy!"
Matty Hewitt made no answer, but
she shed few silent, bitter tears after
she was in bed. The sensation OF "be-
ing engaged was very pleasant. It
was pity that 1t had been, SO brief!
''As good as engaged to Matty Vail.
are your" said Mr.. Warren. who had
met Sam Pratt at the post-office next
day. "May l ask when this hap
penedp"
'.Last night, coming home from the
picnic. u
AS it happened. she came home
with me.
Sam Pratt rubbed his hands glee-
fully.
"All that was a. joke. old fellow"
said he. you brought home the
little New York schoolsteacher. who
boards at Ma'am Dunkley's! Matty
Vail managed all that. You don't
mean to say you never found it outp
tell you, Mat and / had good laugh
over it going home.
Frank Warren set his teeth tightly
together. That girl who could enjoy
ga good laugh with Sam Pratt over
such practical joke as this was rap
idly losing caste in his estimation. ~.
Il congratulate you." said he. some
what bitterly.
knew you'd be pleased, old fellow, u
said Sam, smiling broadly. 'sBut they
tell me the school-teacher takes it ter
ribly hard. Cried all night. Went
home before daylight on foot. all the
way to the swamp, Thought that you
were dead in love with. her. Didn't
like the idea of its being all put-up
job. 's- -
Frank Warren turned upon him with
sudden flash in his eyes.
"And who told you," said he, .'that
it was put-up jobp"
"Ehp" Sans gooseberry-colored
orbs dilated with surprise. You
don't tell me-"
Frank Warren went straight to the
Widow Dunkley's, and asked for Miss
Hewitt. Matty came to him with
cheeks unnaturally red, and restless
sparkle in her dark gray eyes.
.I-I am very sorry" she began.
"Sorry, for what? Not that | asked
:. :. - Il -