The Republican., 1890-04-12

lin William, whose senses were Just dbl
serting him, when he thought of whhl
was to come. 30, yes" Eli
so, l love nature" continued Nj
Wilson, shaking her pretty head, ov
which q mass of filmy white lace u
thrown, causing her to look very char
ing in the moonlight. Il adore the seal
like TO sketch it. Sketching is awful
nice. Don't you think sketching is al
fully nice, Mr.. Lee?" III
Franklin William could stand this i
longer. He resolved to perform his tai
without further delay, especially as The
were just entering little arbor on Ii
hotel grounds, which was secluded, an,
fortunately deserted. He stopped am
disengaged his arm from Miss Wilson,
in order TO carry out the scene effect
lively. Cold chills ran over him and 4
first he could not speak.
why, Mr.. Lee, are you ill?'' GRID
Miss Wilson, in some alarm.
Miss Wilson," stammered the un
happy suitor. "Let me-let me declar'
my love!'
"Your what?"
my love!'' he gasped. THAT is, II
want to marry you. OF course, if 70,
have any objections l won't-that is,
hope there is none, for l am-yoG> 81
it's important-well, you know WIZ |
mean, and-I'd like to have the wedding
in week or so, and"
Miss Wilson uttered q cry of sarn
and evidently believed herself alone
with maniae. But the Unhappy
Franklin, who knew he had blndere''
did not attempt to approach hf, so He
said at length. rather faintly{"l d'n !
understand You. Mr.. Lee. neas' let
me go and find mamma. An6 l cal noC
listen to this, for 1 am ersaged
already" She turned to 20.
Stay an instant" cried Fankhn
William, overcome with shame Deg
your pardon. II assure yotlt doesn't
make any difference. / she have
done it but Ii was forced INTO 1t by
another!''
At this incoynprehensibe speech Miss
Wilson turned and fled t'long the PAIN
to the hotel, while ohe untortunae
Franklin executed paniacal dance Of
despair upon the greel and oblurgated
his eccentric uncleIn the most emphatic
manner.
Mr.. Hopps took his wretched friend
home where heremained in privacy .or
some days. Nr. 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 perfect 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 resoure
is gone" 1t was annoying to hear him
include Mr.. Hops in the matter. As
you advised, sent an offer of marriM'
yesterday to Mary Eaton, that higM
cultivated young female with the bg
nose. 1t was dire necessity and I though
| Mary would be willing to marry am
body"
And the answer?'
Her father returned it unopend
with a note to the effect that MAN
had gone as a missionary to the Sane
wich Islands or the Cannibal Islands,
| forget which"
That's bad" reflected Mr.. Hops.
Every things bad" groaned the III.
lucky one. 'How am | different from
other men? Haven't a right to marry
if want to? There's only one of tws
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 s reason
II might make away with her hus
band, you know, said Franklin William
with CHASTITY grin.
But you know other girls"
Not we'll enough to propose to them
and it's too late now to get better &C
auainted."
Mr.. Hops rubbed his chin medita
lively and then said, with determine
ton: "There is one chance left, yo'
must 60 to Miss Brooks again.
81 won't do it, I'll give up the none,
first
Not bit of it. feel sure you'll vii
this time"
You feel sure every time"
"Yes, but this is different. Besides
you love her."
"You said that made no difference,
expostulated Franklin, feebly.
Il may have been wrong" admitte
Mr.. Hops; "but do make a last effor
You have barely week left until you
birthday"
Mr.. Franklin William Lee argued tn
question off and on for two days an
seriously contemplated blowing his un
lucky brains out. But Mr.. Hops wa
pertinacious, and on the evening of tn
third day the victim rang the front doc
bell at the home Of Miss Anastasi
Brooks.
BY the time he had pacified Mis-
Brooks Scotch terrier, upon whom h
inadvertently trod upon entering tn
parlor, the young lady herself came il
dressed in distraotingly becomin
manner. Miss Brooks was graceful an
very much at ease. Mr.. Lee was ne
| ~ 81, fus % ~