The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-04-17

| BROOKS. very pretty young lady. SIT
| ting alone in . boat and talking ~
earnestly that they took no notice O
him.
Mr.. Hops cronched and waited with
breathless silence. lie saw Franklin
| William Lee seize the young lady.
hand. and then dropping it, rise ex
citedly to his feet, saying, in an uncon
sciously loud voice: Miss Brooks-An-
astasia-Im sure-you must have seen :
| that have always been"
At this moment the unfortunate
sutton forgot that he was in q boat, and,
suddenly losing his balance, fell over
into the water.
Miss Brooks screamed. but had sui.
hcient presence of mind to retain hcr
grasp upon the boat. which fortunately
did not upset An instant later Frank
lin William scrambled out Of the water.
dripping and disguised, and was left by
the fire to dry. Everybody said they
were so sorry for him. except Miss
Brooks, who kept handkerchief pressed
to her face for some time, although she
was certainly crying.
The next day Mr.. Hops called upon
his friend and found him very miserable.
Il made up my mind some time ago.
said the victim Of ill-luck, that Anas-
tasia Brooks was the only girl could
ever love. She seemed to encourage me,
but for weeks held myself back, be-
cause didn't want to make her misera-
BILE with such an unlucky fellow for q
husband. But at the picnic couldn't
wait any longer. Besides, the time is
getting dreadfully short, for I'll be
twenty-four two months from to-day.
"Ycs," 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. !"
mo. l shall always be an object OF
ridicule in her eyes now. l can never
speak to her in that way again. II sup
pose" and he heaved deep sigh, .I'll
have to go away from here and look out
for somebody else"
Thus it happened that Franklin Will
lam and Mr.. Hops. by dint of borl w.
ing and scraping. continued to spend
two weeks at the seashore where Mr..
Hops industriously circulated stories
of his companions fabulous wealth, and
inveigled 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 fem-
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 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
matrimony 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.. Hops, you've danced lot with
her and she told me she thought you
quite awfully swell.
ibid she?, inquired the victim, twist
ing his small mustache.
.'Yes, and by the way, there she goes
now, on the piazza-all alone, too.
Now's your chance"
'But don't love her."
s'That's nothing"
"And she may refuse me-"
81 don't believe it," said Mr.. Hops.
seizing 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. Franx-
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, Mics
Wilson," he inquired, in his most dulcet
tones.
''Why. good evening, Mr.. Lee," said
Miss Wilson. Certainly, you may.
am looking for mamma. Isn't it just too
sweet for any thing tonight" "Yes,"
said Franklin William. Offering his arm
and wondering how he should begin.
.Yes, 1t is
20, I've been having an awfully nice
time here" said Miss Wilson, This is
such charming place. Mamma prefers
Saratoga, but l like the great big sea,
don't your %. 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 filmy white lace was
thrown, causing her to look very charm
ing in the moonlight. Il adore the sea.
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. lie stopped and
disengaged his arm from Miss Wilson
in order 10 carry out the scene effect
lively. Cold chills ran over him and Ut
first he could not speak.
why, Mr.. Lee, are you ill?" cried
Miss Wilson, in some alarm.
Miss Wilson, stammered the un.
happy sutton. LET me-let me declare
| my love-
''Your what?''
my loye.' he gasped. THAT is, Il
want to marry you. Of course, If you
have any objections won't-that is