Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-11-21

.Nonsense! said Matty Vail, biting
her lip You must have misunder-
stood him.
Misunderstood, indeedr retorted
Miss Hewitt. I'm sure he spoke plain
enough
But you wouldn't accept a man
who was caught in such a trap as
that?'
"A trapl' stammered Miss Hewitt.
Yes, of course. He thought it was
me-
do you suppose be did?' lin fAlter-
ing accents.)
There can't be doubt about it.
Then. of course, there's an end of
this matter, said Matilda, with little
quiver in her voice.
But you'll tell me just what he
said2'
mo; l certainly shall not betray his
confidence
Confidence, indeed!' flashed out
Matty Vail. "A pretty confidence!
But do tell me, just for the joke of the
natter
Matilda was silent. To her it was
no joke.
I'D have you to know that I have
had a proposal, too, added Matty,
brushing out her luxuriant blonde
tresses. That ridiculous Pratt. OF
course, 1 only put him off. 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. 1t
was pity that it had been so brief!
'As good as engaged to Matty Vail,
are your said Mr.. Warren, who had
met Sam Pratt at the postoffice next
day. May l ask when this happened?'
Last night, coming home from the
oicnic.'
'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? l tell you,
Mat and had good laugh over it
going home.
Frank Warren set his teeth tightly
together. The girl who could enjoy
"a good laugh" with Sam Pratt over
such practical joke as this was rap
idly losing caste in his estimation.
4 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 ter.
ribly hard. Cried all night. Went
home before daylight on foot, all the
way to 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 hin
with a sudden flash In his eyes.
and who told you, said he 'that il
was put-up job?
'Eh7' Sans gooseberry -colored orbs
dilated with surprise. You don't tel
me-
| Il tell you that 1t would be par
ticularly good idea for YOU to mipC
your own affairs.
Frank Warren went stright to the
Widow Dunkley's and asked for Miss
Hewitt. Matty came to him will
cheeks unnaturally red and a restless
sparkle in her dark gray eyes.
IL am very sorry, she began.
Sorry for what? Not that asked
you to be my wife, I hope, said th'
young man cheerily.
She was not as pretty as Matty Vail
he thought, but she was dainty ant
delicate, like violet blossoming il
the shade.
But you didn't mean it? she fal
tered.
Il am not in the habit of saying
! what I don't mean. l am here to con
: firm my last night words. Will yol
confirm yours, Miss Howitt?'
But I know so little of you, Mr.
Warren.
That is disability which can easil,
) be remedied by time. Won't you
trust me, Matty ?'and he held out hi
hand.
And she decided to trust him.
The village belle was discounted
| beyond measure when she heard tina
her practical joke had turned into re
reality. For in her secret heart she
had loved Frank Warren as much a
it was in her to love anybody.
= Engaged to you, indeed! she crlet
to Sam Pratt, with blazing eyes. How
dare you say such thing? wouldn'
marry you if there wasn't another
I, man in the worldp
And Mr.. Pratt departed, inconsola
BILE.
AS for Mr.. Warren, he never hac
cause to repent his sudden resolve
Matilda Hawitt made him the best o.
gentle little wives.
Although it was rather unconven
I&,ono1 fbok xr1o,np nf x,0urc FronK