Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-07-15

uiOll dtudCh VI uySItrlCS. really could
not help them. / was so suffocated with
laughter. 1t was such fun to see them go
excited ] had fully intended to tell them
in a few minutes but Fred enjoyed himself
so hugely, he was in such a delightful
state of Importance, had not the heart TO
crush him.
BY the time | was completely restored
and had washed off the powder and fixed
my hair the neighbors came in for particu-
lars. | brought out refreshments, and
Fred told hundred times how he had
found me fainting, and that he was GER
tain the thief had entered the kitchen win.
dow.
Really, it was the pleasantest evening
we had passed for months, and "Mollies
Burglar" was a boon to the neighborhood
1t is needless to say he was never found
The following evening Fred took me to
the theater. ITO cheer me up" he said
For several nights following the neigh
bors called to inquire. These calls had to
be returned, and every evening found us
together among our friends. My theatri
Gals were lasting success.
AS time passed | could not fail to see
that Fred regarded me as quite advanced
in years, though | had just reached the
quarter of century mark. He began to
pay attention to the young ladies he met
in society | could not say he flirted but
it look ed very much like that popular
amusement.
"Mollie," Fred said to me one day, II
would not dance so much if | were you"
Why" / innocently asked.
Because, my dear when a woman gets
to be your age it is really better taste to
sit down most of the time and make room
for the girls.
81 will sit down every dance with you,
Fred" I responded beamingly
He frowned
81 did not mean exactly that, Mollie.
OF course, | would prefer it, but there are
generally so few dancing men feel it my
-ahem-duty to dance"
THAT is very thoughtful of you, dear,
and since it is at best only disagreeable
duty, be sure you dance with that homely
Miss Smith: she so seldom has partner"
He said nothing, but slammed the door
rather hard as he went out, and it is need
less to say that his sense of duty did not
lead TO poor Miss Smith.
There was no question in my mind that
he was very much interested in one of
last seasons buds" a girl favoring of
bread and butter and the schoolroom
matters. OF course | was foolish to be
jealous of Fred's harmless attentions.
Still they were such as he would not have
liked me to receive. | knew jealousy was
the kind of medicine Fred needed, but how
to administer it was the problem. Flirt
MYSELF | would not. had too much
self respect for that.
An inspiration My medicine, like the
physicians sugar pills and colored water,
should he a justifabe hoax.
took "A pen and wrote in a broad mas
culine hand: "Mollie, you know how
suffer when | see you and realize anew
that we are indeed parted forever. My
only comfort is his indifference. While he
is dancing with others | can be by your
side looking into those azure eyes, listen.
ing to the sweet voice love so we'll
"Oh, my darlingl why did you choose
him in preference to one who worshiped
you? word and a smile from you are
now my greatest treasures Surely in time
his GOODNESS and my devotion will turn
your heart to one who in all these years
has never wavered in his devotion"
When | finished this absurd letter
folded it many times and creased it that
he might think it long carried and often
read; then dropped it where Fred could
not fail to find it,
1t worked charmngly. Fred came down
to dinner with countenance usually re-
served for a fall in stocks He could not
even relieve his feelings by finding fault
with the meal, as men generally do |
might draw comparisons
Darling, would you mind very much if
we did not attend Anderson's reception to
night? | have IA headache" said Fred
"Darlingn'-I had been nothing better
than Mrs. S" or "Mollie" for months
81 am sorry you feel ill., Fred" said
going over and kissing him, for had some
computations, "but hadn't we better try
and 90? You know the girls will be SO
disappointed; they depend on you so much
as partner"
"The girls be hangedN' he exclaimed
under his breath, but ! heard it with Joy
Shall read to you, DEAR"
He gladly accepted my offer and cheered
up somewhat when he found did not ser
ously object to remaining home with him
The poor fellow grieved so that many
times could with difficulty refrain from
telling my secret, but the thought of those
odious girls would seal my lips
Fred never referred to the letter. but
was so devoted to me when we went in
society that no opportunity offered for my
former lovers to show me their constancy
had any one been SO inclined.
But the greatest and best joke is young
Fred. His father is so delighted with him,
and he proves such an unfailing source of
novelty and excitement, though he is now
two years old, that have no further use
for my private theatricals.
! often laugh over the past and right
merrily for more loving, devoted hus-