Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-12

he Wdlheu dngflly INTO JHe conservatory
and stopped before palm, ostensibly
examining it, but in reality analyzing
his state of mind. Was he Jealous? If
so, he really loved Bessie, but could he
ask her to be his when all he had seen
confirmed her coquetry?
Bessie and Hughes came near and
stopped before large plant, but with
screened from them.
"Miss Fallington," said the author in
the un1nistakable voice of devotion, "do
you like literature?"
81 love it, " she replied. "Let me tell
you little secret that you must never
reveal have lately had quite num-
Der of poems published ed-anonymously
of course"
Adorable, he cried, enthusiastically.
"You must show them to me-"
"By no means. You would criticise
the poor little attempts"
"Not for worlds. They could not
help being full of fire and genius. But
would You not like to devote your life,
yourself, to literatureY'
"Ohl Mr.. Hughes, my humble talents
wouldn't last fortnight"
81 don't mean in that way; though
your talent would. mean would you
not like to live always in literary at
mosphere-in fact, Miss Fallington, as
the wife of an author"
Pardon me, Mr.. Hughes" she ex-
claimed, ''but do believe this rare plant
is dying. must tell father at once"
Don't turn me aside" pleaded the
author, trying to catch her hand. II
love you to-
Hush, hush, Mr.. Hughes" she whis-
pered. "Here comes some one"
The some one was Tom Plotton. and
he was coming direct for them.
"Mr. Hughes, he said, ''they are ask
ing for you in the parlor. They're dis
cussing the authorship of late anony-
nous poem. They want you to help
them out"
Every WELL, replied Hughes gallant
ly, "and think can make good de-
cision on the latest and directest infor-
nation"
Don't you dare" exclaimed Bessie,
with a light laugh, the meaning of
which came in words as soon as the au-
thor was out of hearing.
"Oh! Pm SO glad you came, for, don't
you think, he was just declaring his love
for me-"
Both broke into hearty laugh. Con-
viction struck Cecil If this wasn't an
evidence of heartless coquetry what
could be? He sincerely thanked his
good fortune that his doubts had kept
him from declaring his own love sew
eral months before in similar place.
"And | have no doubt" he heard
Plotton say, "that if were now to
say that love you you'd thank some
one for interrupting. and laugh as
heartily over my Stiffness, wouldn't
yon?'
perhaps l shonld."
Though you have given me some en-
couragement, Bessie"
"Have l? Come, want to tell father
this plant is dying
They moved away and Cecil returned
to the parlor, thrilling with pleasure at
his narrow escape. He rejoiced greatly
that Bessie Fallington had never had a
chance to laugh at him. He shortly
withdrew elated, but in the night doubt
of his decision troubled him. The heart
and head would not agree The strong
er became the latter, the fuller was the
former of regret that he could not have
Bessie Fallington.
Next morning he fastened to Plotton's
establishment and found that gentleman
in his glass office looking quite happy.
"Happy commission stroke" asked
Cecil
eyes, an unusual one Well, 1 sup
pose you have come to compare notes
about Bessie Fallington."
eyes"
"Well, what's your decision"
''That she is a heartless firt, and l
think I'll give up all thoughts of her."
'You think So"
eyes, only think, for I still can't de-
eide, and ! came again to get your opin-
ion"
"Well, I'll let you have it. don't
think she would make you good wife.
believe myself she is firt, and has
lots of faults. If l were you I'd look
elsewhere"
"This is your earnest, sincere advice,
is itg'
"It is But there is another reason
why I'd give her up if were you."
"What is it?'
"She is engaged"
Engaged and flirting around the way
she did with you and Hughes and my
self. It's awful. To whom?"
"Well, it's something of secret yet.
She engaged herself only last night"
''Last night? Not to Hughes?'
Plotton laughed heartily and said,
"Guess again"
81 can't. Give me the name.'
Thomas j. Plotton."
Cecil sank into chair and stared.
Tom laughed boisterously, nine-tenths
of it being pure, unalloyed joy.
"But you said," stammered Cecil,
'sthat she was fiirt, no housekeeper
and full of faults"
81 know did, and say so still"
"And going to marry herp'
Eyes, by all means, and we'll be as
happy as any one can be on earth.
love Bessie Fallington, and if she had
ten times her faults my love demands
that must have her, and it will have
her. AS l told you before, love will
move heaven and earth to get its object.