The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-10-24

"Oh, now, Matty."
! Nonsense, | say" And Miss Val
| shut the door in Mr.. Pratt's face with
! laugh.
Hes not half so pleasant as Eranh
after all said Matty to herself; and
| then followed an interview with her un
expected guest.
How nicer' cried Matty. I'VE car
sleep together and talk everything
over, can't we? Oh, no, ma, Tn
not wet much, and you needn't have
saved tea for us. We had lovely sup
! per in the woods"
OH cried Matilda Hewitt, claspine
| Miss Wallis hand, I've so much to tel
your
'Matty's eyes sparkled
What did he say2n
IN tell you after the lamp is put
out" said Mis- Hewitt, hanging down
her head.
You don't mean-''
Yes, | do, !" whispered Miss Hewitt
He really and actually did propose"
'.Nonsense.' said Matty Vail, biting
her lip. You must have misunder
| stood him.
misunderstood, indeed,'' retorted
| Miss Hewitt. I'm sure he spoke plain
| enough"
But you wouldn't accept man who
was caught in such trap as that?'
"A trapn' stammered Miss Hewitt
Yes, of course. He thought it was
me-"
DO you suppose he did?n Gn falter.
ing accents.)
There can't be a doubt about it.
Then, OF course, there's an end OF
this matter" said Matilda, with a little
| quiver in her voice.
But you'll tell me just what he said?'
No; | certainly shall not betray his
confidence
Confidence, indeedm flashed out
Matty Vail. "A pretty confidence! But
do tel me, just for the joke of the mat
ter"
Matilda was silent. To her it was nc
Joke.
I'D have you to know that / have
had a proposal, too" added Matty,
brushing out her luxuriant blonde
tresses That ridiculous Pratt OF
course, l only put him off. l do think
all men are crazy
Matty Hewitt made no answer, but
she shed a few silent bitter tears after
she was in bed. The sensation of ''be-
ing engaged was very pleasant. II
was a pity that it had been so brief,
''As good as engaged to Matty Vail,
are you?" said Mr.. Warren, who had
met Sam Pratt at the postoffice next
day. May | ask when this happened?'
Last night, coming home from the
picnic"
''As it happened, she came home with
me-
Sam Pratt rubbed his hands glee'
fully.
'.All that was joke, old fellow
said he. You brought home the little
New York school-teacher, who boards
at Ma'am Dunkley's! Matty Vail
managed all that. You don't mean to
say YOU never found it out? Itell YOU.
Mat and had a good laugh over it 90,
inc home.
Frank Warren set his teeth tightly
together. The girl who could enjoy "a
good laugh with Sam Pratt over such
a practical joke as this was rapidly
losing caste in his estimation.
Il congratulate YOU" said he, some
what bitterly.
'Knew you'd be pleased, old fellow
said Sam. smiling proudly. But they
tell me the school-teacher takes it terri
bly, hard. Cried all night. Went home
before daylight on foot, all the way tc
the swamp. Thought that you were
dead in love with her. Didn't like the
idea of it's being all put-up job"
Frank Warren turned upon him with
a sudden flash in his eyes.
And who told YOU said he that il
was put-up job?"
''Eh?" Sans gooseberry-coloredo orbs
dilated with surprise. You don't tel
Il tell YOU that it would be a par
ticularly good idea for you to mind
your own affairs
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.
IL am very sorTy.' she began.
Sorry for what? Not that ! asked
you to be my wife, | hope" said the
young man cheerily.
She was not as pretty as Matty Vail,
he thought, but she was dainty and deli
cate. like a violet blossoming in the
shade.
But you didn't mean it?" she fall
tered.
II am not in the habit of saying what
l don't mean. / am here to confirm
my last nights words VIII you con,
firm, vourc Miss Hoyit+ .,
But | know SO little of you, Mr..
Warren"
That is a disability which can easily
be remedied by time. Won't You trust
me- Matty?" and he held out his hand.
And she decided to trust him.
The village belle was discounted be,
yond measure when she heard that her
practical joke had turned into reality.
For in her secret heart she had loved
Frank Warren as much as it was in hel
to love anybody,
Engaged to you, indcedr' she cried
to Sam Pratt, with blazing eyes. How
dare you say such thing? wouldn't
marry YOU if there wasn't another man
in the worldr
And Mr.. Pratt departed, inconsola.
bic.
As for Mr.. Warren, lie never had
cause to repent his sudden resolve.
Matilda Hewitt made him the best OF
gentle little wives.
Although it was rather unconven.
tional, that wooing of yours. Frank,
said she. Now, wasn't it?"
We'll, rather so. | must admit said
| the young husband. However, Matty,
all's well that ends well, YOU know"
And Matty Wallis practical joke has
ended in a fine prospect of her being ar
old maid at last.-N, y, ledger.
NnI,tas