The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-03-03
TRIALS.

~ certainly will try the experiment" !"
quoth to myself.
And then ! covertly looked in the
glass. so as better to calculate my
chances matrimonial.
It wasn't very satisfactory survey.
am not handsome man. But there's
one advantage possess that is worth all
the beauty in creation-Torquatus This
tledown, ESQ.,, president of the Thistle
down Petroleum company. with the
handsomest yacht in the bay and money
enough to freight it with golden cargol
Youth-beauty-wh do they weigh in
the balance against Torquatus Thistle
down? #t III
And patted my pockets with a
chuckle that sounded like the chink Of
doubloons! ~ He-
I'm do It'll" exclaimed aloud.
Bruce Hardenbrook glanced sleepily
up from his armchair in the bay win
dow and took his cigar out Of his mouth.
Bruce belongs to our club--more's the
pity-a supercilious puppy that looks
down on fellow from the height OF his
six feet two. as if nobody under that size
had any business to exist.
What's that you're going to do.
Thistledown:" asked Bruce 4E eI4
"To be married." added slowly and
distinctly. Ito Miss Fanny Gordon"
Bruce started had known very well
that that would disturb his serene self
possession. All the world was quite
aware that La was dangling after pretty
Fanny Gordon-as If a clientless young
lawyer had any right to aspire to the
ha,d of the loveliest girl in New York;
"Are you'engaged to her, Mr.. Thistle
DOWN. he asked.
"No-not exactly engaged-that is, not
as yet. but mean to be. | shall consult
Mr. Gordon this very afternoon-an old
friend of mine. Job Gordon. He'll refuse
me nothing"
Bruce Hardenbrook made no reply.
He resumed his newspaper and tried to
look Indifferent. with remarkably bad
success. @s,- r...a-~. ..@
So put on my hat and strolled down
to honest Job Gordon's counting room.
..Thistledown. how dye do?" he cor
daily said. What can do for you to-
day?'
"A great deal, MIR. Gordon. respond
ed. Il am contemplating rnatrimony. |
am thinking of the hymeneal bonds, sir
and-and-I would like the weight of
your influence with your daughter
Fanny. | adore Fanny, sir--I worship
her-and don't mind telling you that II
is within her option at this moment to
become Mrs. Torquatus Thistledown!"
Mr.. Gordon wrIlng my hand heartily.
"Torquatus. he CALCULATED breath
.essly. you're trump. My daughter,
lIrs. Petroleum Company-no, don't
mean that exactly-but-bu only hope
"ou aren't too later
Too later gasped, making clutch
at my yellow silk pocket handkerchief
and wiping the drops away from the
hald spot on the crown of my head
There was a young fellow here this
very morning" went on Mr.. Gordon.
rylmpling his hair with one hand in h
distracted manner, upon the self same
business. and
Not Bruce Hardenbrook?'
Yes. Bruce Hardenbrook--the very
ferson-and told him to-l-Igave him
rIy sanction~-and I've just sent up a
IEise to Fanny desiring her to have no
hesitation in promptly accepting the gen.
tleman who would propose to her this
afternoon"
gave II feeble gasp and rubbed my
nose.
But added the old gentleman. with
q Sudden inspiration Il didn't mention
any names. thank goodness. and don't
see upon my word. why the note
shouldn't answer for you just rs well as
for Bruce Hardenbrook. if you only get
there little ahead of him."
jumped mp and made grasp at my
h2s
'Couldn't--couldn't you go with mey
impossible have two most Inn.
l@rtant appointments. but yon wont
need iae-the note payes the way. GOOD
egening. Torquatus. | wish you all pos
sible success
As | hailed the nearest omnibus anG
laaped IN. the iron tongue of old Trinit,
tolled in deep bass monosyllables
Perhaps perhaps might yet be in timt
perhaps Bruce Hardenbrook might b,
just such fool as to be idling away thu
precious moments in that big easy chail
al the clubrooIns. 1t was barely posi-
BIZ. and my heart gave bound at th,
idea.
Fanny was at home. for as | rang th,
bell saw the Gutter Of her blue muslin
dress from the French windows tina
opened upon the balcony and the mex
moment she admitted me herself tall
beautiful girl. with bright brown hal
brushed away from low white fore
head. and eyes like shady wells of light.
Dear me. Mr.. Thistledown. Is /
really your she exclaimed coquettishl,
adjusting rose In her hair. .sExcus
my opening the door, the servants ar
gone to Michael Somsbody's wake an,
I'm I'll alone" Kf
Not entirely alone, for ! monitor
hat hung on the han stand = dari
speechless witnessi Ny heart stood still
All the same moment ] caught giimps
Of ~ facs III t1s cTal mirror above. /
cGaJ1n't hsss beea reddsr q mere shir
ing II Il had been oiled mahogany. How
ever, gave + nervous dab or tw