Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-10-25

thiS-thls etnotohal 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 styie--qnite
passe Whatever my feelings may be.
can never allow you 20 fall from the
pinnacle where | have placed you, by
doing that which. on the face of it, il 50
plainly--not the thing,
"Oh. bother the fashion, cries Syl-
vester II can't help loving you. yon
know-tried to, but couldn't Never
was spoons ON girl before; but this is
the genuine article. | know what yoa
say is true-it isn't correct at ell The
chaps will chan me no end; but hang it
all, May, I'll marry you tomorrow, in
spite Of them.
Pardon me, Mr.. Hutchinson, says
May politely, but must beg leave to
differ from you.
Sylvester screws in his eyeglass aud
stares at her for moment
"Oh-aw-you mean"
ayes, says Miss May severely. II
mean that really find myself unable 10
consent TO the arrangement
"Why-why, Sylvester stammers. II
am serious. / mean it, DO you fancy
ann trifling or flirting? Town that was
at first; but now am in dead earnest.
! am, pom honor.
II am very sorry. says May softly.
@Don't you care for mesr asks Syl-
vester with little infection of surprise.
~Give me a chance, then, aud will
make you love mel will. now. pom my
word. l viii do anything that you say.
] will"
There is no use in talking farther on
this subject, interrupts May firmly.
Il, too, am in ear st when | say ! can
never marry you.
MIR. Hutchinson draws himself up IN
dignified manner. His chin il very
much in the air as he inquiries loftily:
"May l ask whyyH
Certainly" responds May cheerfully.
81 have three very good reasons: First,
do not love you. Secondly, am quite
convinced that ! can never learn TO love
you, and, being a country girl and UNI
sophisticated, as you know, am old
fashioned enough TO res. I've 70 marry for
love and nothing else. Thirdly-and
this il the principal reason, as you will
see--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 Mr.. j. Sylvester Hutchinson.
Rising with great dignity, he says for
mally:
Il will bid you good by, Miss ARM
strong.
May does not remain with me much
longer. She is OBJ red to go home In
order to prepare for 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 find Sylvester aud the faithful
Tiger seated side by side on the rustic
bench, in their favorite position. A sus-
picion Of melancholy hangs over them.
drop into the hammock aud say dole
fully:
"Well. she has gone, and 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, | continue
cruelty, show did your Irritation get
on?"
He starts a little. and removes tie
cane long enough to say carelessIy:
aOh, nicely, thanks. Deucedly pretty
girl is May.
@Yes, l return; "she is the prettiest
girl / ever saw. After a moment,
continue hypocritically; Il was quite
surprised when 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 / had wanted. Not
my style. though. Nice little thing, as
far as flirting goes; but. as to marrying
aw, no-couIdn't think of it. "
The expression Of Sylvesters eve 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
@WeII, then-I say, let's alter the pro-
gram-let's make it double we'd
ding
WHAT / exclaim in a cement.
aOh, mean 1t, he continues, noting
my astonishment. Always been fond
of you-awfully fond just say the
/ word and we'll make it a 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. ] recognize his motives at once.
Mays refusal has gone deeper than we
thought; his vanity has received
severe wound In his anxiety to show
| MAY that he does not care in the least
he coolly proposes to marry me out Of
pique.
For a moment my indignation does
not allow me to speak.
Sylvester Hutchinson, l cry hotly,
aIwish could find words strong enough
TO express my disgust and Indignation.
gave you credit for possessing at least
one grain of sense. l thought one lesson
would be sufficient for you, but it seems
was mistaken. If you ever propose to
a 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 tree which holds a. very
convenient seat where chance listener
may-involuntariIy of course-hear all
your fervent vows and protestaSSons-