Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-11-29

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man who always, under every circum-
stance, made it a point to do the cor
~ect thing. In this respect you excel
any young man l ever met. You must
be aware, though, that this sort of a
thing-this emotional business, this love
and alteration which you mention-is
not good form. Well regulated people
marry for convenience nowadays, not
for love. That is out of style-quite
passe. Whatever my feelings may be-
l can never allow you to fall from the
pinnacle where l have placed you, by
doing that which, on the face of it, is 50
planly-not the thing.
"Oh, bother the fashion, " cries Syl-
vester Il can't help loving you, you
know-tried to. but couldn't. Never
was spoons on a girl before; but this is
the genuine article. | know what you
say is true-it isn't correct at all. The
| chaps will chatf me no end; but hang it
all, May, Eli marry you tomorrow, in
| spite of them.
Pardon me, Mr.. Hutchinson" says
May politely, but 1 must beg leave to
differ from you"
Sylvester screws in his eyeglass and
stares at her for moment
"Oh-aw-you mean-"
"Yes," says Miss May severely. II
mean that l really find myself unable to
consent to the arrangement "
"Why-why," Sylvester stammers, 81
am serious. l mean it. Do you fancy 1
am trifing or flirting? Iown that was
at first; but now | am in dead earnest.
l am, 'pon honor.
81 am very sorry" says May softly.
Don't you care for me?" asks Syl-
vester with IA little infection of surprise
Give me a chance, then, and l will
make you love me-I will, now, 'pon my
word. will do anything that you say.
| will-"
There is no use in talking farther on
this subject, interrupts May firmly.
Il, too am in earnest when say l can
never marry you.
Mr.. Hutchinson draws himself up in a
| dignitied manner. His chin is very
much in the air as he inquiries loftily:
May l ask why:'
"CertainIy." responds May cheerfully.
81 have three very good reasons: First,
do not love you. Secondly, l am quite
convinced that | can never learn to love
you, and, being a country girl and un-
sophisticated, as you know, | am old
fashioned enough TO resolve to marry for
love and nothing else. Thirdly-and
this is the principal reason, as you will
6ee-I am engaged to George Monroe. :"
| feel that | would give worlds if |
were an artist, and able to transfer to
paper the expression which appears on
the face of Nh j. Sylvester Hutchinson.
Rising with great dignity, he says for
mally:
L will bid you good by, Miss Arm
| strong
May does not remain with me much
| longer She is obliged to go home in
order to prepare for a certain interesting
event, in which | am to figure as brides
maid. On the day of her departure
hasten to my usual retreat in the garden.
There l find Sylvester and the faithful
Tiger, seated side by side on the rustic
bench, in their favorte position. A sus-
picion of meIanch 'ly hangs over them.
! drop into the hammock and say dole
fully:
well, she has gone, and 1 am so
lonely do not know what to do with
myself.
Mr. Hutchinson sucks the head of his
cane and gazes passively into vacancy.
by the way, Sylvester" l continue
cruelty, "how did your filtration get
on?"
He starts little, and removes the
cane long enough to say carelessly:
"Oh nicely, thanks. Deucedly pretty
girl is May.
"Yes, | return; "she is the prettiest
girl l ever saw" After a moment, I
continue hypocritcally: Il was quite
surprised when l heard she was engaged
to George. really think you ought to
have been the happy man; you certainly
had first chance.
Didn't care for the honor, replies
Sylvester coolly. "Could have married
her fast enough if l had wanted. Not
my style, though. Nice little thing, as
far as flirting goes but, as to marrying
aw, no-couldn't think of it. "
The expression of Sylvester's eye be-
hind it strikes me as being rather singu-
lar. He says hurriedly:
Helen, are you to be bridesmaid
hers, you know"
Yes, answer promptly, wondering
what is coming next
SWELL then-I say, let's alter the pro-
gram-let's make it a double we'd
ding"
"What?" l exclaim in amazement.
"Oh, l mean it," he continues, noting
my astonishment. ALWAYS been fond
of you-awfulIy fond. Just say the
word and we'll make it double affair
Jolly surprise all round-no end of fun. !"
He smiles in an idiotic way, and looks
at me, evidently in some doubt as to
how | shall take his extraordinary prop
osition. l recognize his motives at once.
Mays refusal has gone deeper than we
thought; his vanity has received a
severe wound In his anxiety to show
Nav that he does not care in the least
he coolly proposes to marry me out Of
pique.
For moment my Indignation does
not allow me to speak.
"Sylvester Hutchinson, cry hotly,
"Iwish | could find words strong enough
TO express my disgust and Indignation.
gave you credit for poss ssing at least
one grain of sense. | thought one lesson
would be sufficient for you, but it seems
l was mistaken. If you ever propose to
young lady again, do not, if she re-
fuses YOU, propose to her most intimate
| friend within weeks time. Be care
| full also, not to make your offers of
! marriage under a tree which holds very