The Wahpeton times., 1889-08-01

anu YET ne went 0t6er MISS SteptOe,
and, thoughstruggling against what
he was compelled to do, entered into
conversation with her and walked by
her side. The curious spectators o6.
served that she dropped her flip.
pant manner at once, but they did
not know what had caused the
change. They could not help, how.
ever. being struck with Captain Hen.
mixers respectful attitude.
II very much wanted to see YOU
alone" he said, $50 I have taken the
liberty of following you. You can
guess what l am going to say, can't
you?"
GLOW should II"
"Oh, my darling, how love you!
known it all along. Do you love
me?"
II do,' she answered softly.
"Then," cried this miserable pup-
pet, II am the happiest man in the
He stretched out his arms towards
her. AS he did so q peal OF laughter
reac he'd his ears, and proved strong
or than the spell. He started back
shivering.
"This place is frightfully public, ("
he said; let us 60 away from it."
A Apompous little man came tear
ing along the Parade. He waved his
stick and wasevidently in a atremend-
GUS passion. 1t was Mr.. Macnish.
Captain Henniker," he cried. ."you
ought to be ashamed of yourself.
You @ are making Miss steptoe the
talk of the whole town."
"Not me-" stammered CAPTAIN
Henniker."
"But you are, sir. Pray" said Mr..
Macnish, turning to Miss Steptoe,
"let me see you home. The air is
keen here"
To Captain Henniker's surprise,
she went quite meekly; she did not
utter word of remonstrance: she
did not oven look back. He had vet
much to learn of Professor SobrinsSi's
power over his subjects.
When Captain Henniker awoke
next morning he was painfully con.
scious OF what had happened on the
previous day. There could be no
doubt he was in a very awkward
predicament, and he could see no way
out OF it. In despair he sent his SER
yant to ask his friend and confiGunt,
Leonard Haughton, to come to
breakfast. Haughton accepted the
invitation, but was rather late in ar
irving.
II say, old boy" he began, s:you
look precious seedy. Did Miss Step
toes tea disagree with your"
81 hate a fool" said Captain Hen
mixer testify. "Sit down and help
yourself"
"Bilous, eh?" said Haughton with
a smile. "Well, perhaps it is not to
be wondered at. Thank goodness,
my appetite will make amends for
yours"
He helped himself largely, and for
q time breakfast proceeded in silence;
but presently Captain Henniker
threw down his knife and fork: and
said:
"Look here, Leonard, I'm in a
most frightful mess. 1t makes nv
hair stand on end when think of it.
How l can have been such q fool |
can't conceive. l allowed that viper
Sobrinski to mesmerize me, and then
l became Miss Steptoe and she be-
came me. :, Do you follow me?''
'Not exactly answered Haugh-
ton dryly' but go on"
"Well. Miss Steptoe-that was me,
you know-walked eff to the Parade,
and left me-that was Miss Steptoe-
behind, and after q while Tor, rather
Miss Steptoe. But, you understand
it was really Miss Steptoe who pro.
posed to herself"
Nonsense, man. I'll put it more
plainly for you. The spirit of Miss
Steptoe in my body proposed to my
spirit in her body.
"Was the spirit whisky origin? Up.
on my word Henniker, you are not
sober yet. Who proposed to
"Thet is just what I can't make
out. 1t seemed as if I was propsing
to her. but it was she who proposed
to me. How do l stand? That is
what | want you to tell me.'
sGive it up," answered Haughton.
"Never was good at riddles"
'Do be sensible for a moment. Am
l bound by the proposals."
II should say you were. When n
fellow takes too much-shall we call
it tea?-over night, he must expect
to answer for it in the morning."
'"Then," said Captain Henniker
desperately, "the proposal must be
respected by me. Say good-by to
your old friend Leonard. l feel as if
/ should cut my throat"
That afternoon he called at Miss
Steptoe's cottage, in order to ratify
what had occurred between them. It
was, he considered, the only honora-
BILE course open to him, and therefore
he had resolved to take it, though
the spell itself had ceased to operate.
1t seemed as if it's hateful effects were
to last a lifetime, compelling him to
do what he detested, and leaving
him no more control over his own
destiny, than is possessed by chaff
driven by the wind.
Martha opened the door to him.
With q face brimful of Importance
che said, before he had time to tpeak:
"Have you heard the news, Cap
tain Henniker?"
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