The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-01-23
TRIALS.


glass, so as better to calculate my
chances matrimonial
1t wasn't very satisfactory survey.
am not handsome man. But there's
one advantage possess that is worth all
the beauty in acknowledgement 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 cargo
Youth-beauty-what do they weigh in
the balance against Torquatus Thistle
down?
And l patted my pockets with a
doubloons
"Pll do itr' / 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
whats that you're going to do,
Thistledown" asked Bruce.
ITO be married" added slowly and
distinctly, "to Miss Fanny Gordon"
Bruce started. had known very well
that that would disturb his serene self
possession. All the world was quite
aware that he was dangling after pretty
Fanny Gordon-as if clientless young
lawyer had any right to aspire to the
hand of the loyeliest 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. Heil refuse
mo nothing.
Bruce Hardenbrook made no reply
He resumed his newspaper and tried to
look Indifferent, with remarkably bad
success. 5--. .
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, Mr.. Gordon, )" respond.
ed. II am contemplating Inatrimony.
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 it
is within her option at this moment to
become Mrs. Torquatus Thistledownw
Mr.. Gordon wrung my hand heartily.
"Torquatus," he calculated breath
lessly, you're a trump. My daughter,
Mrs. Petroleum Company-no. don't
mean that exactly-but-bu only hope
you aren't too late!"
"Too later gasped, making clutch
at my yellow silk pocket handkerchief
and wiping the drops away from the
bald spot Oh the crown of my head
There was a young fellow here this
very morning. went on Mr.. Gordon,
rulnpling his hair with one hand in a
distracted manner, upon the self same
business. and"--
Not Bruce Hardenbrook2"
Yves, Brnce Hardenbrook-the very
person--and | told him toll gave him
my sanction-and I've just sent up u
note to Fanny desiring her to have no
hesitation in promptly accepting the gem
tleman who would propose to her this
afternoon.
gave feeble gasp and rubbed my
nose.
But" added the old gentleman with
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 as well as
for Bruce Hardenbrook, if you only get
there little ahead of him. !"
jumped up and made a grasp at my
hat.
"Couldn't-couldn't you go with Ine?"
"Inpossble-I have two most i'm
portant appointments. but you won't
need me-the note rayes the way. Good
evening. Torquatus, wish you all pos
sible SUGGEST
As | hailed the nearest omnibus and
leaped in, the iron tongue of old Trinity
tolled in deep bass monosyllables.
Pcrhaps-perhaps | might yet be in time
perhaps Bruce Hardenbrook might be
just such fool as to be idling away the
precious moments in that big easy chair
at the clubrooms. 1t was barely possi-
bic, and my heart gave bound at the
idea.
Fanny was at home, for rs | rang the
bell | SAW the tlutter of her blue muslin
dress from the French windows that
opened upon the balcony-and the next
moment she admitted me herself--a tall
beautiful girl with bright brown hair
brushed away from low white fore
head, and eyes like shady wells of light
Dear mo, Mr.. Thistledown, is It
really your she exclaimed coquettishly
adjusting rose in her hair. Excuse
my opening tie door the servants are
gone to Michael Somebody's wake and
in all alone
Not entirely alone, for a monitor
hat hung on the hall stand = dark,
speechless witnessl My heart stood still
AT the same moment canght "a glimpse
of my face i'll tho oval mirror above. 1t
couldn't have been redder or more shin
ing If it had been oiled mahogany How.
ever, | gave it nervous dab or two
with my pocket handkerchief and boldly
entered the parlor,
just as ! expected. Bruce Harden
brook was thera, but then, judging by
his appearance. he had only just arrived.
Now was my time. But how was fell
low TO make love with Bruce Harden
brooks cold, critical eyes full on him,
and the amused curve Of his lip varying
at every word spoke?
IL was thinking of asking you,
Fanny
Yes. Mr.. Thistledown.' -
Butmy courage failed me at this event
ful instant,
'lf you're much troubled with mos.
qnitoes III this neighborhooda -
Not at all, -
Bruce was laughing-1 knew he was,
but | scorned to look to him / felt as if
! had been taking a bath In liquid fire.
Was to be trified with thus2 Neverl
Fanny" ! resumed, resolutely Il am
in
But she jumped up with an agonized
httls scream.
"Hushl wasn't that a mans step in