The Press., 1893-02-09

able in that sudden slipping away Of the boat from under him.
 l But moments reflection convinced him that it was abs, cd to suppose that any one should wish to, be rid of his so- ciety, and even in the most improbable eventhe felt sure that not even so young 8 lady as Miss Aston would resort to such an undignifed, childish and alto- gether improper method The disap- pearance of these disagreeable suspicious was of course aided by the sincerest re- gret and sympathy, expressed in voice which would have made the fortune of an orator or an actress.
 1 ssOf course that ends our rowing said Alice decidedly. ''Mr. Beall can go to the house with you, and will row out and find Constance and MT. Alexan- der"
 But Dunn, now thoroughly appeased and not over anxious for unsympathetic male companionship in his rather ab- surd condition, demurred emphatically. How the conclusion was reached he never exactly understood, but somehow after considerable argument and protes- tation he found himself damply on his way toward the. house, while Miss Al ston and MT. Beall had departed on what seemed to.him an utterly useless search for the remaining members of the party.
 The two rowed on in silence until the sound of MT. Dunn's creaking steps had died away, then Beall broke the silence by an intellectual offer to change his seat to the stern.
 ''This seat is far enough aft to balance the boat" said Alice, with unconscious technicality. And you may upset her moving about. We don't want any more accidents. am sorry MT. Dunn fell over," she added, after slight pause. If she smiled her face was turned away from Beall and he could not see it's ex- precision. II like him very much," she continued.
 ''So do l." said Beall, with bitter, youthful irony. II like his high ideals, ard his modest truthfulness. and his cnlture-don't your" .
 ''He is my guest" responded Alice cordly.
 Beall might have replied that, cousid. ering the recent occurrence, her ideas ot hospitality were extremely recent and a trifle suspicious. But having no abso. lute proof of the cause of that happy accident he refrained, and simply asked ''He has another claim to your consider. ation, hasn't her"
 ] Alice disdained equivocation. Il sup pese," she said, ''you mean to ask whether the report of my engagement te I him is true"
 1 Beall briefly assented.
 "And by what rightY she asked.
 "I had the right onee," he said sadly
 Suppose we do not talk about what you once had," said Alice, "You didn't seem to care much about it then"
 This startling perversion of the facts bewildered Beall too much for any at tempt at defense. He could only ask once more for an answer to his question. "And if I told you," said Alice, q slE4ppose you would do as you did on a I silnilar occasion once before-threaten to do something desperate, and then not 1 do it. And I should be so disappointed. '
 Beall took this rather aggrayating re- mark rather good naturedly, "No; I've learned something since then." he said. "I wished to know about this simply be- cause if you are not engaged to MT. Dunn have an important piece of news to tell you"
 Il suppose you will pardon my saying that l don't take as much interest as most persons in important pieces of news," said Alice. But it is due to MT. Dunn for me to tell you that the report isn't true" x.t AThen," replied Beall, '.I can tell you my news. But if you don't mind I would rather not tell it to the back of your head" So saying he calmly took possession of half of the rowing seat. "What I wished to tell you," he contin- ued, ''is that I am going te be married in few months"
 Alice started, ''You are! And to whom"
 "Thats just ths difficulty" he said contemplatively. five arranged every thing else satisfactorily. My business affairs are all right-right enough for me to marry seven or eight girls if the law permitted. I've thought of every thing else. haven't spoken to the diff ferent people, but suppose there will be no trouble. The only problem is, as you suggest, about the bride. So came aysE mainly t9 ask ask you to occupy that
 Alice turned suddenly. MT. Beall," ," she said, ':this is 2 mostnnpleasant form of joke"
 Ut. isn't joke at al1." he answered placidly. "You laughed at my vehe, mence and romance about such things once before, so I thought would try style you would like. But, on my honor, l never was more in earnest in my life.'' -s-
 Alice drew the bladeo of her oar slowly thrQugh the water for moment. There was every reason in the world why she should refuse 8 proposal made ill this cool, confident and irritating manner. So, being woman, she answered finally, "Well, suppose it would be a pity to break pp all your arrangements. ::
 As Beall Sat late that night in MT. Alexander's room enjoying to the ut most the bitter end of a long black cigar, he said charitably, ''Now there's bnnn-I don't think he's such a bad sort of fellow after ally. >5
 Alexander looked mp in humorous sur prise from the valise he was packing. "Why," he exclaimed. "you said this morning on the train that you had spent long days ir wondering how Dunn had escaped the penitentiary."
 "Oh, this morning." answered Beall. "To tell you the truth. old man, wasn't feeling very well this morning. liar per's Weekly,
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