The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-01-29

Smalibore disiot appreciate the signfi'
cance of that emphasis. He was Gully too
giasi to get rid Of her.
Meanwhile n false theory concerning
the csuse Of Smailbore's defective speech
had tIayeled like lightning. Tom Jenk-
inss, no bore Slnailbore grudge for a
richly-dsserved snub which Smallbore
had once administered to him, found an
I opportunity to whisper the news to Bluff.
! ] got it afterward from friend Of Bluffs
that this is what he said:
THAT snob, Smallbore, is as full as q
tick. He can't even talk straight If
you play your cards well you've got
winning game"
/ don't ike BlUg, but admit be is a
smart fellow.
He at once perceived the advantages
which the situation offered for him.
Kittie Clipper had only left Smallbore
Eve minutes when Bluff strolled up TO
him.
whats this hear, old fellow; you
are not feeling well2 I'm deucedly sor-
ry. l'll take you where you'll get well ia
q jiify. Miss Angelina has been so anx-
Gus TO see you all the evening that, by
Jove, she has been hardly civil TO me-"
Come right along, old fellow" added
Bluff. with affected good nature. patting
Smalibore on the back, you'll get well in
no time"
There had been nothing in the terms
Of their acquaintance for the past six
months to justify such familiarity. In
fact their relations had been decidedly
strained But poor Smallbore was
powerless In Bluffs hands. He was
hustled along until he found himself
pumped down alongside Of Miss Ange-
lima. To add to his CONSERVATION he
ioand that he had dropped his handker-
chief and could no longer hide his em-
barrassment behind its protecting folds.
"Why, Mr.. Smalibore, I'm awfully
sorry 10 hear that vou are sick. What
can do for you? Please tell me. Per
haps if you come with me into the con-
servatory and get soma fresh air you viii
feel better"
The tones we're tender, the look di-
yinely sympathetic. 1t was in that con
seTgatory that Smallb1re had fondly I'M
agined ne would ask Miss Angelina to be
his wife Here was the opportunity
offered him. But he was just as power
less to take advantage of it as if he had
been bound hand and foot. He had
never before in his life, be told me, felt
so abjeetly and completely miserable.
9Th nothin; iih nothin; l atthure
thu NTH Anthelina," he said piteously,
''rm lithle thick, thath all III geth
over ith."
Miss Angelina looked at him earnest
ly. There was no trace on his face of
thai bewitching, inimitable smile with
which he was wont to meet her gaze
Alas, poor Smallbore did not dare to at
tempt a smile. That would expose a
cavity where four pearl white teeth had
been accustomed to glisten. His lips
were tightly drawn. He presented a
most woeful aspect.
Miss Angelina's sympathis were touch
ed. Smalibore might have extricate him
self from his aw wkward position and push
ed his suit 10 a successful issue on some
other occasion, when better equipped for
it, but for one little awkward clrcum-
tance.
Women are quick TO put this and that
together and jump at conclusions. Miss
Angelina had delicate olfaciory organs.
She detected the odor of brandy 1t was
the result Of that confounded brandy
and soda that Smallbore had taken at
Seasprays suggestion. Her manner be-
came frigid Immediately.
Mr.. Smallbore, l think you had bet
Ter 90 home at once, she exclaimed, tart
ly.
Then turning to Bluff, who had re-
manned close at hand TO see how this lit
TIE game worked, she said sweetly.
"Will you be kind enough to take me
to the supper room ?"
Don't be too hard on him, Miss An
gelina,' smallbore heard Bluff say as
they moved off, 81 don't think that he
often gets in that condition"
When Smallbore reached his rooms
the fIst thing that awakened in his mind
realizing sense Of what that evening
had cost him was the sight of those pre-
cious false teeth glisteniDg at the bottom
Of tumbler filed with water. He knew
that he could never so far sacrifice bis
pride as to tell Miss Angelina the true
cause of his seemingly strange conduct.
He had lost her -Vbs Enocb