The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-13

Iootle, when die you'll be q rich
man"
1--WE won't talk about that, father"
said Lord Tootle; and he said it sim
cerely. for the young man, though q
''chappie." was fond of his father.
''You know what the position is,
George" said Lord Fanfare, very
seriously. Fanfare Castle is en-
tailed, it costs thousand a year to
keep up; you might perhaps. let it
for three hundred pounds sterling,
and you can't sell it; to a poor man,
George. the castle is just white
elephant. If you offend me, Tootle," I"
said his Lordship, severely, you'll be
a pauper. Now, SIR" cried Lord
Fanfare, in tremendous voice,
whats all this l hear about laura
Flarerr'
''Father." said Lord Tootle, in a
frightened whisper. I've asked her
to marry me, and-she's hesitating
because I've nothing to settle, and
mines only courtesy title"
Then for a full half-hour did Lord
Fanfare alternately entreat, bully and
argue.
But George Blowhard, commonly
called Lord Tootle. stood to his guns.
Then his father lost his temper.
''Out OF my presence, sir!' he cried.
"fll lock you up, I'll apply for a
lunacy commission. Hang me, STRIP
added the old man. theatrically, "Tn
save you in spite of yourself, or-or
I'll perish in the attempt!'
Next afternoon Lord Fanfare called
upon Miss Laura Flarer at her bijou
residence in Fulham.
The lady received him very
graciously. Charmed to know you,"
she said, charmed to know you -
take a cheer
And then Lord Fanfare took a
cheer" and carefully studied Miss
Flarer through his eye-glass.
''Will you have a ''b -and-s. p'' said
the lady, who was Hospitality in
clined.
But Lord Fanfare declined refresh
ments.
''Tootle tells me, madame" said his
Lordship, coming to the point at once.
''that he has offered to marry you."
George is a dear boy" said the
lady. Il think we shall be very
happy" she added, with a sigh.
''Do you?" said his lordship dryly.
''Let me tell you. madam, that my
son Tootle IS weak-minded pauper!"
'Tll find the brains and the
beauty" said the lady, airily.
''B aims and beauty amt much to
keep house on" remarked his Lord
ship. oracularly.
'.Butyou Lordship can't go on liv-
ing for ever" said the lady. with one
of her sweetest professional smiles.
You re sixty-five. you know. though
you have the complexion of boy Of
seventeen" she added, tartly.
There's nothing like plain speak
ing" said Lord Fanfare. II like you
for it." he said. Now, what on
earth do you want to marry my son
for?''
Il want to be Lady Fanfare" said
Laura Flarer, simply, and she gave
her lips professional bite that made
them look ruddier than the cherry.
'.And if you married my son, young
lady," said his Lordship. you would,
suppose-er-quit the scenes of your
early triumphsP'
"Well, couldn't go on doing
turns as Lady Tootle," replied Miss
Flarer, with a toss of the head.
''And have you saved much money
out of your professional earnings,
Miss Flarer, may ask? enough to en-
able you to maintain my son in the
position to which he has been &C.
customed?"
And then the lady laughed. a dear,
delightful, silvery, unartifcial, musi-
cal music hall sort of little laugh
There's bill of sale on the furni-
ture," she said, ''and 1 owe Psalm
anezar five hundred; but Tootle's a
Lord, you know" added Miss Flarer,
with a smile.
mo, he amt" replied his Lordship;
she's only courtesy Lord; he's just
electroplate, my dear young lady,
that's all -
''Pll marry him all the same," said
the lady.
There's no other way out of ii, :"
thought Lord Fanfare. ''Tootle's a
pig-headed fellow, and she will marry
him, and then the fat II be in the fire.
Madam" said the old nobleman, ~
have other views for my son George.
Would you mind naming a figureP"
1T won't do, old gentleman" said
Miss Flarer. Il mean to be Lady
Fanfare some day or other, and it
won't do. If you was to paper this
room with bank notes, my Lord, it 'ud
be no manner of use."
''And that's your last word,
madam" asked his Lordship.
That's my last word" replied the
eldest and the plumpest of the three
plump Miss Fiarers.
..'Then here goes, said his Lordship
to himself as he pulled up his shirt
collar, and then, to the lady's intense
astonishment he suddenly dropped
upon his knees, he placed his hand
upon his heart, and, modelling himself
upon the lover of the melodramas, he
began as follows. in an impassioned
tone:
miss Flarer, you see at your feet
the chief of his house, the fourteenth
Lord Fanfare, who begs to place at
YOUR disposition his hand. his title and