The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-11-15
ihE dCCouIs')
"There cant be a doubt about il.

"There can't be doubt about it.
"Then, of course, there's an end of
this matter said Matilda, with a little
quiver in her voice.
"But you tell me just what he
said?"
"No; ! certainly shall not betray
his confidence"
coincidence, 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 know that l have had
proposal, too," added Matty brush
ing out her luxuriaDt blonde tresses.
"That ridiculous Pratt. OF course, /
only put him off. do think all 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. 1t
was a pity that it had been so brief
Gas 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
penedf"
'Last night coming home from the
picnic
Gas it happened she came home
with me-"
Sam Pratt rubbed his hands glee-
fully.
GAIL that was joke, old fellow
said he. "You brought home the lit
tie New York school teacher, who
boards at Ma'am Duukley'sl Matty
Vail managed all that You don't
mean to say you never found it out?
tell you, Mat and l had good
laugh over it going home"
Frank Warren SET his teeth tightly
together That girl who could enjoy
"a good laugh with Sam Pratt over
such practical joke as this was rap.
idly losing caste in his estimation.
81 congratulate you,' said he, some
what bitterly.
"Knew you'd be pleased, old fel
low said Sam, smiling broadly. "But
they tell me the school.teacher takes i
terribly hard. Cried all night. Wen
home before daylight on foot, all thu
way to the swamp. Thought that yol
were dead in love with her. Didn'
like the idea of its being put VI
job"
J Frank Warren turned upon hin
with sudden flash in his eyes.
"And who told you," said he "tEA
it was put up job'"
"Eh7' Sans gooseberry colore
orbs dilated with surprise. ''Yo
. don't tell me-"
, Frank Warren went straight to tn
Widow Dunkley,s, and asked for Mi
Hewitt. Matty came to him wi,
cheeks unnaturally red, and restles
sparkle in her dark gray eyes.
. "I-I am very sorry she began.
e "Sorry for what? Not that aske
t you to be my wife, / hope said tt
v young man cheerily.
She was not as pretty as Matty Va
is he thought, but she was dainty ar
g delicate, like violet blossoming
the shade.
3, "But you didn't mean it?' she fs
= tered.
81 am not in the habit of sayiI
a what don't mean. / am here to co
r firm my last nights words. Will "
% confirm yours, Miss Howitt7
d "But hnow 80 little of you, M
IA Warren"
a. "That's a disability which can ea'
Or ly be remedied by time. Won't "
at trust me, Matty7" and he held out |
hand.
a. And she decided to trust him.
in The village belle was discounted
yond measure when she heard that b
10 practical joke had turned into reali'
For, in her secret heart, she had low
i. Frank Warren as much as it was
i her to love anybody.
v Engaged to you, indeed she cri
l to Sam Pratt, with blazing eye
le "How dare you to say such thin
Ill l would't marry you if there wasn't {
other man in the world"
il. And Mr.. Pratt departed, incons
It able.
s? As for Mr.. Warren, he never h
ar cause to repent his sudden resol
l Matilda Hewitt made him the best
]" gentle little wives.
h. Although it was rather unconv,
It, tional, that wooing of yours, Fran
W said she. "Now wasn't itf'
at swell, rather so, l must adm
to said the young husband. "Howev
lg Matty, all's we'll that ends well, y
BAL know
as And Matty Wallis practical joke
he ended in a fine prospect of her bel
er ad old maid at last.-Amy Randol
rs in NJ Y. Ledger.