The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-05-09

pretty sure of her reply, and now for
smoke"
This was in the morning, and in the
evening Fred Bent dropped in, as was
his custom.
For few moments the two men
smoked in silence.
Then there was knock on the door,
which Mr.. Weston answered.
When he came back into the room he
held in his hand two letters.
''If you will excuse me, Fred, will
read these" he said.
"Oh, certainly-go ahead. From the
fair charmers, l suppose?"
Laurence Weston opened the letters
at random.
The first read like this:
DEAR Mr.. WEsToN-Although your proposal
was q great surprise to me, for 1 always
thought you were not a marrying man. can
say that am inclined to regard it-and you
favorably. II you will call tomorrow at ten
shall be glad to receive you Yours,
BLANCHE STURTEvANr.
BlaIk dismay was pictured on his
features as he opened the other and
read:
MIR WESTON: Dear Sir-It is entirely imma.
teriRi to me whether your language Of last
night was joke not, and no apologies are
necessary. Allow me to advise you though,
that in well.regulated society such Jokes are
considered insults to woman. Yours
BLANCHE WELLINGTON.
"What's the matter, Laurie? You
look as though you had a shock" said
Bent.
$50 have. Here, read these" and
he pushed the letters toward his friend.
Bent read them.
Then he burst into hearty laughter
"What are you laughing at?" asked
Weston.
"Ha, hal Because, really, old fell
low, can't help it. It's too good
well, if it isn't rich. Did you mean to
do it?"
"Mean to do what?"
"Can you ask me?" said Bent, trag-
note-paper in the air
"What have 1 done? For Heavens
sake tell me if you can, Fred"
SIS it possible that you don't know?
You are not very shrewd, Laurie or
else you are in love, and love, you
know, is 'proverbially blind"
go on" said Laurence, impatiently.
"Why, man alive, you put your let
ters in the wrong envelopes, as near as
can see."
A sudden ray of intelligence darted
over Weston's face.
81 believe l did," he said, ruefully,
"and see what sorape 1 have drawn
my devoted head into"
Gould you make it up with Miss
Wellington?"
81 feel sure 1 could. But Miss Stur-
tevant has practically accepted me, and
see how must insult her."
"And yet" mused Fred, ''you ought
to explain to Miss Wellington"
81 know it," distractedly, "but if 1
do, must also explain to Miss Sturte-
want"
"Now, honestly, Laurie, do you care
anything for either one?"
Laurence Weston met his friends
gaze without finching.
'No, honestly, Fred, I like and ad-
mire one as much as the other"
"Why not give them both up?"
'And get into the mire deeper than I
am? Besides, am determined to mar
ry one of them"
well" said Bent, rising to go, ST
am sorry for you, Laurie. This is
what your assurance and sound COM
mon sense has brought you to. For
my part, l prefer romance. Good-by,
old fellow"
"Good- by, "came mournfully from the
depths of the easy chair
At the door Bent halted.
81 say, Laurie, might help you out.
I might marry one of them"
''If you only would; but which one?"
AYE, that's it," echoed Bent, as he
closed the door and went down the
hall; and the evening breezes waited
his words back, ''that's the rub-which
one?''-Agnes L. Pratt, in Boston Globe.