The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-02-08

deny ia thousand times. But come.
let us forget this" she added, lightly.
and seating herself at the. piano she
poured out such food of melody that
for the time all remembrance Of the un-
fortunate cOntretemps was banished from
my mind.
At late hour that night I went to
DIR. Gascoigne's room. He had returned.
1t was more than a week since we had met
and we settled Gown for comfortable
smoke.
He placed the whisky bottle before me,
and willing to forget for one night, at
least, the future abnegation to which I
had unconsciously bound myself, poured
out probably rather more than my usual
moderate allowance We had had a very
good dinner in No. 20, but, as may be sup
posed, there was nothing in the shape of
wine The Doctor and l had not been
sitting together long when out of the full
ness of my heart 1 spoke.
"Gascoigne, l said suddenly, L want
you to be the first to congratulate me. 1t
is a profound secret at present. / am
sure you will keep it so, but am engaged
to marry the handsomest and most charm
ing girl il England. Wish me JOY.
Has it already come to this? Haven't
you been rather precipitate, my friend?"
he asked, taking his pipe from his mouth
and shaking out some of the ashes on o
tray beside him.
There's an old Scotch proverb, Hap
py's the wooing tina, a short time a.
doing. We're very near Scotland, here,
Doctor" | answered, laughing. But
come YOU have not CONGRATULATED me-"
Are you sure the step you are taking
will add to your happiness?"
My dear fellow, it seems to me l never
knew the meaning Of the word. Happi-
ness? I'm intoxicated with it, She is
just the most adorable, bewitching, love-
provoking piece of womankind ever en-
countered. l wish to God l could marry
her Tomorrow l shall not have long to
wait, though" added confidently.
There was a pause. 1t was very irri-
tating to me when | looked across to
Gaseoigne, to see him still trihing with
the ashes fallen from his pipe, and APP
parently absorbed in contemplation of
them.
L wish you'd speak, exclaimed, i'm
patiently.
He looked full at me- His face was
graver, paler, too, than usual. Il con-
graduate no one on such occas ions, he
said, letting his words fall slowly. In
my mind marriage, which has more than
one attribute in common with DEATH re-
sembles it especially in this, that no hu-
man being can venture to predict what
manner of life is likely to succeed it."
Where was the old frank heartiness of
look and manner-the geniality that first
attracted me to him? l saw before NE a
cold, stern face, from which all human
feeling seemed 10 have departed. Sud
denly he started, shivered, then all al
once appearing to rouse himself, he
smiled
I'm turning cynical" he said: for
give me- And, don't misunderstood me,
Dudley, with all my heart I hope you
may lie happy"
Even then l did not like his tone.
by the way. l have not yet thanked
You for your share in bringing it about,
| said.
Thanked me?"
Yes. Mrs. Hargreave asked what You
knew of me. She told me so And the
information YOU gave her led"
Shed better have left that un said,
he muttered; then with a short, forced
laugh. remarked aloud: But there's no
trusting woman, Dudley. Above ali, the
the professedly religious,
Il never trusted Mrs. Hargreave--"
l said, and paused.
NO."
We'll, I'm getting over my first i'm
pressions, which We're decidedly unfavor-
able"
Isn't there saying about first i'm
pressions being truest?' he asked mus
ingly.
Mine regarding Miss Hargreaye-
George" l began.
oh, it's no use talking to a man in
love-" he interrupted. "lou cant say
I've encouraged you in your hasty leap
into mat in ony, Jack; whatever comes of
it, on can't ieproach me-that's some
comfort. May you lie happy, my boy.
Let's ange the subject"
Here. thought /, was disappointed
man, who could not bear to look on hap
piness through another mans eyes. 1 re-
sented both his words and manner. |
fel: that l should quarrel with him, or at
least say something afterwards regretta-
bic, il | rem lined; so, finging my half
smoked cigar into the gra.e, | got up,
said good-night CURLY, and left the
room.