Middletown transcript., 1893-11-18


boxes. She knew that / loved her, al
though she never would let me reach
pint where might declare myself.
So was content to wait, and do ali
her fetching and carrying, in spite OF
the fact that Jack Richards, one OF
Adele's numerous admirers, had be
come much too familiar with the Lor-
rimers' pretty drawing room to suit my
taste.
Adele was the greatest girl for fads
aud fancies. She went through the
whole category of collections, and
had to help her establish each new one.
had myself kicked out of two or three
theatrical offices, trying to secure the
autographs of some stage celebrities
for her; and got in with a terrible sci
of shsrpers and had my pocketbool
emptied in buying rare old stamp
that afterwards turned out 10 be cles
limitations in which not only my pun
but MY self respect suffered; and all ~
Adele. Aud then she caught the pt
lever.
| admire dogs-mastiffs, settlers al
SO forth-but do detest those ia
wheeZy, asthmatic little pets with lhe
ribbons, and blankets and bells. I'll,
first intim. tiun had of this new crazt
was one evening while | was sitting
moodiy in corner at Adele's. la,
Just come IN To find two other fellows
calling. One of them, of course, was
Richards, who was monopolizing all ol
Adele's attention at the piano. Snt
was accompanying Linn as he infictes
upon us a song that might have beel
pretty had some one else been singing
it. They flushed at last; and Adelt
turned and saw the last number Of Lyt
in my hands.
"Oh, do bring that here, MI. Reed"-
she always called me MIR. Reed'' wheD
otter men were around-''and let mt
show Mr.. Richards picture of one o.
the dearest, cutest little pugs. Pm 81
anxious to have pug. Papa is look
ing out for one. There, isn't he a
loveP'' and she handed the paper t,
richards with the picture of hideous
pug uppermost.
Richards duly admired it. He would
have admired anything Adele asked
him to. And then fairly boiled tC
hear him tell her, in his drawling voict
that he knew just where to lay his
hands on beautiful pug, well bred,
fine bloOded, and all the rest of it. l
sat in my CT rner and watched her as
she beamed ON him while he reeled of
for her delectation stories Of pugs pasl
and present, and especially of this par
ticular pug, which he would be only
TOO happy if she would accept.
left early this evening. | conlu
not Tolerate the idea of Richards getting
ahead of me, but still, present Adele
with one of those disgusting creatures |
would not. for a week, at every oppoT-
tunlty | could seize, tried to persuade
Adele not to accept one from Jack
Richards.
We were out walking one afternoon.
Adele had gone into raptures over
three or four pugs that had passed US.
"How can you admire them, Adele?"
said impatiently. Wouldn't you
rather have a noble St. Bernard to wor-
ship and protect you?"
'.Oh, those horrid fierce dogsl hate
them. Tom; and l never could keep it
in the city. How ridiculous of you TO
suppose such thing"
Then grew very bold. adele l
cried, "do you love me2''
think the suddeness of my q uestion
startled her a little. '.Oh, Tom, if
you're going home," she pouted.
Adele MAS irresistible when she
pouted, but l vas firm. "You Can
choose, Adele, between me and Mr.,
Richards pug. Ii you accept me you
can't have the pug if you take the pug
why, will not come into the house
again, that's all. "
.'What fuss you are makingp' Sht
said pettishly. 81 havn'. the pug yet.
mo bu. you expect Richards Il
bring 1t tonight. Now don't deny it. ,
had lost my temper, and spoke mon
dictatorially than intended.
She tossed her head proudly. 81 an
not in the habit of telling untruths
Mr.. Reed. Thank you for your kint
offer. 1t is very hard to choose, bu
II think In take the pug"
was SO astonished by this biting
sarcasm. it was SO unexpected, iha
when / recovered my senses Adele wa
fling up the block. and l did not fol
low her. ! meant, OF course, to keel
ny resolve; l would not SO to the Lor.