The Appeal., 1889-10-26

spoil his situation, I presume, for he
grasped me by the shoulder and swung me
forcibly into the flies. How the aldience
Kissed him! Most Of them had understood
the unexpected scene and many were
breathless with terror. The orchestra
leader whispered to Mile: d'Esterre that it
was all right and she went on with her
refusal.
t'Comfort, with craven like youi Soon
er would die! Sooner. thousand times
sooner, would starve with my dear Jack
and here he N, to learn how love him and
detest you,' were her lines.
"And how the audience applauded nowl
They did not seem to notice the rather dis
heveled condition of dear Jacks wig and
collar and necktie, q result of his sudden
and unlntentlonal exit at Lawrence's hands,
and they certainly did not know that the
hands of dear jack so tenderly clasped by
the heroine, were smarting and blistered!
"Of course she knew the condition of my
paws, and it was when she insisted on
dressing and bandaging them for me that
found courage enough to tell her how I
loved her. - ..s. -
. you say you love me and want to mar
ry me,' she said, by and by, IN a tone OF
surprise, yet you know nothing of me, not
even my name, for am not French
"I know that you are a sweet, noble
tcoman, be your name what it may,' made
reply. But before insist on an answer to
my question must tell you my story
(which I did, accidentally emitting all
names.
"'How very strange! My father, at the
instance of my ambitious step-mother,
turned against me because would not agree
to marry some one he had selected for me.
Perhaps was romantic, for I refused to
even see the young man. I said would be
loved for myself alone and would give my
hand only where my heart vent
"'Had you seen the fellow may be you
would have liked him, and then T should
never have met you,' said, jealously.
II could not have fancied him! In all the
country there is not an idler gayer, more
useless man than that young Henry Max
well! A devotee of tennis
"'Who?' cried, excitedly.
"'Henry Maxwell Did you ever hear of
him in New York?'
"'Well, ratheI,' I answered, smiling.
"I'll warrant you never heard any good
of him!'
~ nave the impression that he once
r1sked burntfngers to extinguish the flames
on young lady's dress-that of Miss
Anna Gordon, I believe; did you ever hear
of her?'
"'Who are you!' she asked, abruptly, in
open-eyed amazement.
"'Henry Osmyn Maxwell, billed as Max
Osmyn, very much at your service. A fool
ish fellow, who angered his grandfather,
Colonel Maxwell, because he refused to
marry one Anna Gordon, sometimes now
known as Mile. d'Esterre'
"'How perfectly absurd!' was all she
said.
ut may have been perfectly absurd, but
it was all quite true.
I'VE closed our engagement with Gus
Bailey that spring, and he, who had known
my wife's story, was the only person taken
into our confidence and the only witness at
our quiet wedding.
"Of course, our respective families re-
ceived US with open arms; to be sure, they
laughed at us, but at the same time they
showered gifts upon US and my delighted
grandfather presented me with charming
villa up the Hudson.
"Here's our address-come and see us on
your way home and tell us whether YOU, too
think our conduct was perfectly absurd
as our relatives express it, Chicago Times