The Republican., 1890-04-12

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with; let your riches be known and cut
dash in society"
As Franklin William was not avorse
to this plan, he thanked his friend and
went out feeling trihe better. After
this he looked upon every young woman
no knew as possible wife, and tried
vainly to fix upon some fair damsel
from whom he might learn his fate. AS
the general belief was that he had
already come into his fortune, he soon
became a favorite everywhere, and
nearly beggared himself in the attempt
to shine as man of fashion. But the
weeks and even the months passed on
without any result, although Franklin
Williams misadventures were as numer-
Gus as ever.
Mr.. Lorenzo Hops, who appeared
fully as anxious as his friend concern
ing the outcome, was therefore over
joyed, at large boating party one after
noon, to observe that Franklin William
seemed about to take the momentous
step. The boats had been made fast to
the bank, while the young people were
under the trees or preparing the lunch.
Mr.. Hops fair companion had sent him
to the river after water, and he was just
STOPPING to fill his pail when he noticed
Franklin William and Miss Anastasia
Brooks, a very pretty young. lady, sit
| ting alone in a boat and talking so
earnestly that they took no notice of
him.
Mr.. Hops crouched and waited with
| breathless silence. He saw Franklin
William Lee seize the young lady's
hand, and then dropping it, rise eX-
citedly to his feet, saying, in an uncon-
sciously loud voice: "Miss Brooks-An-
astasia-Im sure-you must have seen
that l have always been"
At this moment the unfortunate
suitor forgot that he was in a boat, and,
suddenly losing his balance, fell over
| into the water.
Miss Brooks screamed, but had suf-
| fcient presence of mind to retain her
grasp upon the boat, which fortunately
did not upset. An instant later Frank
| lin William scrambled out of the water
dripping and disgusted, and was left by
the fire to dry. Everybody said they
were so sorry for him, except Miss
| Brooks, who kept handkerchief pressed
| to her face for some time, although she
was certainly crying.
The next day Mr.. Hops called upon
his friend and found him very miserable.
Il made up my mind some time ago."
said the victim of ill-luck, ''that Anas-
tasia Brooks was the only girl l could
ever love. She seemed to encourage me,
but for weeks | held myself back, be-
cause | didn't want to make her misera-
BILE with such an unlucky fellow for a
husband But at the picnic | couldn't
wait any longer. Besides, the time is
getting dreadfully short, for I'll be
twenty-fcur two months from to-day.
Yes" said Mr.. Hops, $50 you pro-
posed and put your foot in it?''
Il went IN all over" answered Frank
lin William, with woe-begone literalness.
"And 1 had only just began to tell her
what--what L wanted. She won't know
what / was driving at"
"Well, you can try her again any time. >
mo. l shall always be an object of
ridicule in her eyes now. l can never
speak to her in that way again. 81 sup
pose" and he heaved deep sigh, "Ill
have to go away from here and look out
for somebody else"
Thus it happened that Franklin Will
lam and Mr.. Hops, by dint of borrow
ing and scraping, continued to spend
two weeks at the seashOre where Mr..
Hopps industriously circulated stories
of his companions fabulous wealth, and
inveigled that young gentleman into a
number of very desperate flirtations. As
young men were scarce at this particu-
lar resort. as at all summer resorts,
Franklin William did not lack for femi-
nine society. But the very scarcity of
male escorts, instead of being in his
favor. operated against him. The num-
ber of forlorn maids was SO great that
he was obliged to. accompany whole
bevy of fair ones instead of one particu-
lar girl wherever he went, and with
from two to dozen continually demand
ing his knightly services, Franklin
William found himself as far away from
matrimony as ever.
Come" said Mr.. Hops, finally, one
moonlight evening. Our funds are
horribly low, and we'll have to leave
here inside of two days. Now, what
have you donc?"
Nothing" said the unhappy seeker
after welded bliss. You see how it is
yourself How can / ask girl to marry
me when there are seven of 'em, all
talking to me at once. 1t wouldn't be
polite to ask one without asking the
others-I mean it can't be done and
that's the end of it. The only girl I've
had five minutes conversation with
alone since we came here. is Miss Will
son, the Chicago grain mans daughter
"She's just the one you want" cried
Mr.. Hopps, you've danced lot witt
her and she told me she thought you
quite awfully swell"
did she?" inquired the victim, twist
ing his small mustache.
"Yes, and by the way, there she goes
now, on the piazza-all alone, too
Now's your chance"
But don't love her."
That's nothing"
"And she may refuse me-"
81 don't believe it," said Mr.. Hops
seizing his friend by the shoulder and
A pushing him forward. go on. Re