The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-06-10
WHOLE No. 1889.

one thing; for thought that Lymber-
leg was such a fascinating man that
perhaps Aurora might be bewitched
into relenting: and l should have been
Jealous if he had not paid such marked
| attention TO a certain Miss Caruthers
all the while.
Miss Camilla Caruthers was from
New York, and they have handsome
women there. you know. 1 remember
seeing three or four the last time WIS.,
tied that famous city. and a man that
| met in the street told me that there
were four or five others; but, unfor-
tunately, they had gone over to Jersey
City that afternoon and / missed see
ing them.
Well. think Miss Camilla was one
of those others. for certainly she was
quite handsome. and some fellow had
been fool enough to tell her so, sup
pose. for she seemed to know all about
| it. She was a playful creature. too,
and was as fond of fun as young
widow. She was powerful singer
also. As Mr.. Buggs said, she was a
Pa-ripper at singing. But Buggs
never could express himself elegantly.
She used to sing to Lymberleg, and
Lymberleg played the accompaniment
on the guitar. Sometimes they used
to go down to the beach, and. seating
themselves upon the rocks, sing to the
ocean, Cease thy roaring. foaming
ocean," but. Notwithstanding, she was
very powerful singer-a sort of vocal
OrpheGs of the feminine gender-the
ocean would roar in spite of her. So
at last she became discouraged and be-
gan to sing to me.
Well. as l was saying, Lymberleg
was very attentive to her. Every one
remarked it, and 1 remember Aurora
told me one evening, when we were
alone in the coffee-room. how glad she
was that Mr.. Lymberleg had found
some one to fill the aching void in his
heart.
Camilla will make him an excellent
WIFE," she said.
'Oh. yes, my dear. she'll make him
splendid wife,
''But 1 wish she wasn't quite so fond
of your society, Roderick.''
why, is sheP" I cried. "Pshaw!
my dear, you are jealous. Of course
she knows that Pm engaged"
But you do like to hear her sing,
Roderick."
''Of course, my love. 1 like to hear
OdhNtJ Jul IuO
slightest inclination to make love to
the trombone"
Aurora smiled, and then we kissed,
and we were just going to kiss again,
when somebody knocked at the door.
1t was Lymberleg.
You are both wanted in the draw
ing room," said he. ''The rain makes
it so terribly dull that we've all got the
blues, and we're bound to frighten
them away. Old Mrs. Griggins says
that no man shall kiss her in the ring
but Mr.. Lushington."
Then I'll be there, directly, Lynn
| berleg. Come, Aurora"
We went up stairs and found nearly
every guest in the hotel assem- bled in
the drawing room, and there was
grand scene of confusion there, l as
sure you; for Miss Caruthers had in
augurated ring plays. for one night
only" and everybody, old and young.
| joined in them with zest that was
astonishing to behold. Old Mrs. Orig
| gins dragged me into the ring the
moment entered the room and kissed
me four times before / could release
myself.
THE mirth and fun grew fast and
furious" and everybody seemed to be
enjoying themselves. though chignons
were destroyed with a rapidity that
was truly terrible. but nobody seemed
to care. think Miss Caruthers must
| have bewitched the whole company.
for nothing that she proposed seemed
| too absurd for us to do. At last, when
we had exhausted everything of the
ring-play order of amusements, Cam
| lila proposed a mock marriage.
The young ladies clapped their
hands with delight.
'Oh, won't that be splendid?" ex-
claimed little Miss Puggs.
Truly delightful!'' chimed in Mr..
Buggs.
II wish we could have a real we'd
ding instead" sighed little Miss Short.
"And why can't we, my dear?"
whispered tall Mr.. Long.
But who is going to be the brideP"
cried Mr.. Wogg.
The young ladies became suddenly
silent, and Puggs fairly turned pale.
"Why, if you're all afraid, rather
than lose the sport I'll be the bride" )"
said Camilla.
And the bridegroom" inquired
Mr. Buggs, stepping forward as if he
would like to offer himself.
sWhy. if it were leap year, l should
choose Mr.. Lushington, she answer
ed. looking up at me so coaxingly.
1 thought Lymberleg turned pale.
but might have been mistaken.
"Well, then. I'll be the bridegroom. "
l said, stepping forward.
Yes. you may as well learn now"
laughed Mr.. Buggs.
l looked up at Aurora, fearing that
she might not quite like the arrange
ment; but she smiled sweetly, and l
was satisfied.
But who is going to perform the
ceremony" asked Mrs. Bendoze, ''Who
will officiate as clergymanP"
"Oh, we'll have the Episcopal serv-
ice. Anybody can read that" an
swered Camilla.
Yes, 1 would" cried Mr.. Buggs
who seemed very anxious to make HIM
self useful, perhaps from the fact that
he knew he couldn't make himself
ornamental" would if l only had
book"
'Pshaw!" said Lymberleg. 'The
Episcopal service is altogether too
long and too solemn. 'Iwould spoil
all the fun, and it would make you
feel as if you were married in earnest. :"
Don't let's have it then," said
Aurora, and 1 echoed her.
where's williamson" asked Lynn
berleg. He can do the parson for
you. He's got smattering of every
thing, ] believe, and can do almost
anything"
II haven't seen Mr.. Williamson this
evening"" said one of the ladies. Il
don't think he's been down from his
own room since dinnern
"Then I'll bring him down." said
Lymberleg, rushing up stairs.
Five minutes later he returned,
bringing Mr.. Williamson with him,
and that gentleman went through the
marriage ceremony with celebrity
that was quite astonishing.
81 fancy you've done this thing be-
fore, Mr.. Williamson" l remarked, as
he pronounced us man and wife.
''Done it beforePn Mr.. Williamson
smiled. Yes. 1 flatter myself that
,, I've married about as many couples as
any clergyman of my age"