The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-04-17

wait any longer. Besides, the time is
getting dreadfully short, for I'll be
twenty-four two months from to-day.
.'Yes," said Mr.. Hops, $50 you pro-
posed and put your foot in it?''
II went in all over" answered Frank
lin William, with woe-begone literalness.
"And had only just began to tell her
what-what wanted. She won't know
what was driving at"
''Well. you can try her again any time "
"No. I shall always be an object of
ridicule in her eyes now. can never
speak to her in that way again. II sup
pose," and he heaved deep sigh, "I'll
have to 60 away from here and look out
for somebody else.''
Thus it happened that Franklin Will
lam and Mr.. Hops, by dint of borr wv
ing and scraping, continued to spend
two weeks at the seashore where Mr..
Hops industriously circulated stories
of his companions fabulous wealth, and
fnveigled that young gentleman into a
number of very desperate flirtations. As
young men were scarce at this particu-
lar resort, as at. all summer resorts,
Franklin William did not lack for femi-
nine society. But the very scarcity of
male escorts, instead of being in his
favor, operated against him. The num-
Der of forlorn maids was SO great that
he was obliged to accompany a whole
bevy Of fair ones instead of one particu-
lar girl wherever he went, and with
from two to dozen continually demand
ing his knightly services, Franklin
William found himself as far away from
matr1mony as ever.
''Come," said Mr.. Hops, finally, one
moonlight evening. ''Our funds are
horribly low, and We'll have to leave
here inside of two days. Now, what
have you done?''
Nothing said the unhappy seeker
after welded bliss. "You see how it is
yourself. How can ask girl to marry
me when there are seven of 'em, all
talking to me at once. 1t wouldn't be
polite to ask one without asking the
others-I mean it can't be done and
that's the end of it. The only girl I've
had five minutes conversation with
alone since we came here, is Miss Will
son, the Chicago grain mans daughter. !"
''She's just the one you want" cried
Mr-Hopps, you've danced lot with
her and she told me she thought you
quite awfully SWELL"
did she?" inquired the victim, twist
ing his small mustache
Eyes, and by the way, there she goes
now, on the piazza-all alone, too
Now's your chance"
''But don't love her."
"Thats nothing"
''And she may refuse me-"
II don't believe it," said Mr.. Hops,
Selling his friend by the shoulder and
pushing him forward. ''Go on. Re-
member your birthday and make des-
perate effort"
At the mention of his twenty-fourth
birthday, which had become sort of
horrible nightmare in his mind, Frank
lin William started after the grain mans
daughter, with grim determination, like
an Indian warrior going to the stake.
She was disappearing around the corner
and he FASTENED to overtake her.
MAY share your promenade, Miss
Wilson," he inquired, in his most dulcet
tones
"Why, good evening, Mr.. Lee," said
Miss Wilson. "Certainly, you may. 1
am looking for mamma. Isn't it just too
sweet for any thing to-night?' eyes"
said Franklin William, offering his arm
and wondering how he should begin.
eyes, it is"
20, I've been having an awfully nice
time here, "said Miss Wilson, This is
such charming place. Mamma prefers
Saratoga. but like the great big sea,
don't you?" 20, yes," responded Frank
lin William, whose senses were just de-
sorting him, when he thought of what
was to come. 20, yes" -
= 20, love NATURE" continued Miss
Wilson, shaking her pretty head, over
which mass of flmy white lace was
thrown, causing her to look very charm
ing in the moonlight. II adore the sea. I
like to sketch it. Sketching is awfully
nice. Don't you think sketching is aw-
fully nice, Mr.. Lee?"
Franklin William could stand this no
longer. He resolved to perform his task
without further delay, especially as they
were just entering little arbor on the
hotel grounds, which was secluded, and
fortunately deserted. He stopped and
disengaged his arm from Miss Wilson's
in order TO carry out the scene effect
lively. Cold chills ran over him and at
first he could not speak.
why, Mr.. Lee, are you ill?" cried
Miss Wilson, in some alarm.
''Miss Wilson," stammered the un-
happy suiter. "Let me--let me declare
my lover
''Your what?' -....- 49,.
"My lose!" he gasped. "That is, IL
want to marry you. OF course, if you
have any objections won't-that is, I
hope there is none, for am-you see
it's important-well, you know what
mean, and-1'd like to: have the wedding
in q week or 50, and" -'.sa.e-.s ~. -
Miss Wilson uttered . cry of alarm
and evidently believed herself alone
with q maniac. But :. the unhappy
Franklin, who knew he had Numbered,
did not attempt to approach her, so she
said at length, rather family, II don't
understand you, Mr.. Lee. Please let
me 60 and find mamma. And / can not
listen to this, for am = engaged
already" She turned to 20.
sStay an Instant" cried franklin
William, overcome with shame. 81 beg
your pardon. IL assure you it doesn't
make any difference. 1 shouldn't have
done it but III was forced into it by
another!''
At this incomprehensible speech Miss
Wilson turned and fed along the path
to the hotel, while the unfortunate
Franklin executed q maniacal dance Of
despair upon the gravel and objurgated
his eccentric uncle in the most emphatic
manner.
Mr.. Hops took his wretched friend
home where he remained In privacy for
some days. Mr.. Hops naturally SYM
patti etc nature, added to the thought
OF the substantial creature comforts his
trisnd had promised him, created > bond