Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-30
TO spoil you. But I'll surprise you some
CHAPTER II.

Touchy made my LIE burden Tor month";
before he redeem med his word. At last, aftel
week of alternate devotion and snubbi
tiveness, he hauled me out for q walk. Al
we reached the country, he became festiv,
and sang: 'In spring young mans fancy
lightly turns to thoughts of fl-l-love-ai'
Said ], stupidity: ''Spring isn't till mex
month"
Touchy returned beamingly: "I'm MOI
going to wait till next month. I'm going
TO tell you now"
His eyes were very shiny, and he looked
quite serious. A cold chill went down my
back. 1 felt that something awful wal
going to happen.
t'You are nice girl" said Touchy, as il
beginning long speech. ''You are young
So am 1. But we'll get over that. You are
frivolous, but can cure that As it is, ]
haven't enough control of you. have
made up my mind that I must secure al
once the sole management of you"
thought saw a way out, and asked.
quakily: "Do you want-to-star me,
Touchy?"
He said he hadn't thought of it, but, in.
diligently, that he would see next year.
Then he jerked my head up and was going
to kiss me. fell in a limp mess away from
him and against the fence, whereat he said
severely: "Come, Katie, don't be foolish.
Having just asked you to marry me, ought
to have some rights"
1 declared that he hadn't, and that ]
wouldn't stand it.
''Never having done it before" }" said he
with dignity, 81 was perhaps not clear,
but did the best could, Miss Tempest,
and certainly ought to kiss you."
HOh, Touchy!" walled 1, beginning to
snivel, s'what an awful thing"
'Not when you're used to it, he returned
cheerily, again preparing to kiss me.
His serene confidence enraged me. 1
stamped my foot, crying how did he know I
wanted to marry him. -.
Because" said he, in blood-curdling
way, "you have encouraged me"
He said encouraged" with ten-horse
power OF emphasis and conviction. I be-
came panic-strlcken.
'tNo, no." cried, 81 haven't and never
meant to. Oh, dear, and oh. dear!'
Touchy seemed gradually to catch the
idea.
"Do I understand, Miss Tempest" said
he in an awe-stricken tone, ''that you do not
love me?"
"Not the least in the world" I cried.
sand please don't call me Miss Tempest.
i u bWlu1lN lOuu VI nOu, 1OuCul, Uul VI
rather die than marry you. Don't be angry,
but you'd make an awful husband, you
know, Touchy."
He contradicted this Indignantly, and
launched out into lecture against bare
faced coquetry and impudence, which 1,
with fearful vehemence, contested. Half
way home ventured in a miserable, choked
voice: 'fPlease, Touchy, be friends and for
give mel'
"Never," he roared, "neverl You have
blighted my life, cut short my career, and
led me on to destroy me. ] shall drown
myself, and it will be your fault, Miss
Tempest"
"No, indeed, you won't" urged anx-
iously. remembering Bennie Shine; you'll
get over il, really"
But he said he wouldn't except in
watery grave, and at my door extended his
hand, saying: Farewell foreverl''
reminded him of the theater, but be
shook his head solemnly and made motion
with his arm as if swimming, whereat 1
broke down crying. He at once put his
arms close about me, and asked me in a
voice dripping with tenderness. Katie,
don't you love me some?"
NV face was smothered against his coat,
but managed to shake my head violently.
AS soon as he felt it he put me at arms
length from him so suddenly that my head
nearly fell of. After perplexed pause he
beamed.
81 asked you too quick" 4" he said, "that's
: it, % and be rubbed my bang in nv eyes,
told me not to fret and departed whistling
cheerfully.
From that day was waylaid at all times
and places, and asked if 1 hadn't changed
my mind; or he would stand in corners and
intimidate me by making that swimming
Often hef0ra he I'D Il
break into homilies against my sex, de-
nouncing us all as firts. Finally to crown
all, he got a cough. 1 used to take his
breakfast up to him, explaining each time |
that only my regard for a sick human be-
ing made me do it, and getting egg shells |
thrown at me. Then he assured me, cough |
ing frightfully, that he had consumption,
and that excitement made him spit blood,
Right on top of that he swore if didn't |
change my mind he would spit quart of |
blood then and there. 1 bolted down the |
hallway calling for doctor. Once he drew |
a dreadful picture of my despairing regret |
if he should die and had never kissed |
him. 1 felt so badly that I knelt right |
down by the bed and kissed him solemnly |
on the forehead. Hang that" was all the |
thanks got; what good is that to q fel- |
loW?" Afterward, however, he quoted the |
kiss as clear case of leading him on to |
destroy him.
I told much of this to Mr. Ned, storming,
when he laughed, that above all things I |
hated love and anyone who loved me.
Suppose should?" he asked. you're |
so fascinating"
nifty: "You wouldn't be SO wicked. You're |
married"
''Yes," said he.