The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-04-12

| | meHIl, duu--l VI llkS W nave tnB Weuu1nf
in week or so, and"
Miss Wilson uttered cry OF alarm
and evidently believed herself alon,
with maniac. But the unhapp,
Franklin, who knew he had blundered
did not attempt 10 approach her, so she
said at length, rather family, ~ dom
understand you, Mr.. Lee. Please lei
me go and find mamma. And can moi
listen to this, for am engaged
already" She turned to go.
"Stay AN instant cried Franklin
William, overcome with shame. 81 beg
your pardon, IL assure you it doesn't
make any difference. I shouldn't have
done it but IL was sorsed into it by
anothern'
AT this incomprehensible speech Miss
Wilson turned and fled along the path
to the hotel, while the unfortunate
Franklin executed a maniacal dance of
despair upon the gravel and obiurgated
his eccentric uncle in the most emphatic
manner.
Mr.. Hops took his wretched FRIEND
home where he remained in privacy for
some days. Mr.. Hopps' naturally sym
pathetic nature, added to the thought
of the substantial creature comforts his
friend had promised him, created bond
of union between them which produced
the most perfeCS unanimity of feeling.
Franklin William paced his room so
distractedly that he was suspected of
having become poet by his anxious
landlady, and she trembled for the fate
of his board bill, which was assuming
gigantic proportions, should this prove
true.
Lorenzo said Franklin William,
solemnly one evening, our last resource
is gone" 1t was annoying to hear him
include Mr.. Hops in the matter. Gas
you advised, sent an offer of marriage
yesterday to Mary Eaton, that highly
cultivated young female with the big
nose. 1t was dire necessity and thought
Mary would be willing to marry any
body"
"And the answer?"
'Her father returned it unopened
with note to the effect that Mary
had gone as missionary to the Sand
wich Islands or the Cannibal Islands, 1
forget which
"That's bad" reflected Mr.. Hopps.
Every things bad" groaned the un-
lucky one. "How am different from
other men? Haven't right to marry
If | want to? There's only one of two
things left for me to do now"
whats that?"
EITHER suicide, or marry the land
lady. And / haven't any CHOICE
"But the landlady's married already
and you know it." gasped Mr.. Hops,
who began to fear for his friend sreason.
II might mako away with her hus- |
band, you know, said Franklin William, !
with CHASTITY grin.
But you know other girls"
"Not well enough to propose to them,
md it's too late now to get better ac-
Iuainted."
Mr.. Hops rubbed his chin medita-
lively and then said, with determina-
tion: "There is one chance left, you
must go to Miss Brooks again"
~ won't do it, I'll give up the money
irst."
Not bit of it. l feel sure you'll win
his time
"You feel sure every time"
eyes, but this is different. Besides,
you love her."
"You said that made no difference"
,xpostulated Franklin, feebly.
II may have been wrong" admitted
Mr. Hops: "but do make last effort.
You have barely week left until your
Mr.. Franklin William Lee argued the
question off and on for two days and
contemplated blowing his un-
ucky brains out But Mr.. Hops was
,ertinacious, and on the evening of the
bird day the victim rang the front door
,ell at the home of Miss Anastasia
Brooks.
By the time he had pacified Miss
Brooks Scotch terrier. upon whom he
trod upon entering the
'arlor, the young lady herself came in,
lressed in a distractingly becoming
manner. Miss Brooks was graceful and
'ery much at ease. Mr.. Lee was nei-
her While she tried to carry on the
alone, he turned and
visited himself in embarrassment until
le managed to strike his elbow against
n elegant crystal vase on the stand
lear him, and the delicate trifle fell
hivered to fragments on the carpet.
Just my luck, Miss Brooks" burst
nut Franklin William, standing aghast
nd gazing upon the havoc he had
I'm dreadfully awkward.
Vow you think it bad enough to have a
elbow like me laundering around for an
our or SO, and, of course, can't ask you
o take me for the whole year and all
our life"
Miss Brooks smiled and blushed very
rettily, indeed. 80, you haven't asked
ny thing of that kind yet, Mr. Lee,"
he said, archly.
"Well, ] am going to- exclaimed
greatly emboldened. 81 want
ou to marry me. / must be married
efore my birthday to get that fortune,
nd haven't week left, you know! o,
assure you, it's desperate case" con-
luded the wretched youth, the perspira-
ion streaming down his visage.
Miss Brooks rose Indignantly. 81 am
ot in the habit of marrying young men
n order to secure their fortunes for
hem," she said, coldly.
so, | didn't mean-O. don't be of
ended" he began in alright, continu-
ng dejectedly, II knew how it would
g, of course. / might have married {
cores of girls-that is, not all of them
t one time, of course, but-but one at o
Ime-no, no-but how can marry any /
ne when you are the only girl can
yer love? I'm going-rve offended
ou terribly, and of course YOU despise