Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-10-29
HE DID HIS BEST.

But Charley Evans only responded with
succession OF couvulsiye speezes aud
groanS
Gold in the head, eh' Never mind it,
up with Your
up Indeed with knifellkc pains shoot
ing mp and down every joint in fellows
body, and his head feeling as IL hundred
weight of lead were tied to every individual
hair"
Remember your engagements, Charley.
Remember that the girls expect every
young man 10 do his duty this splendid
day"
Mr.. Evans groaned.
Ralph, your list of visits is comparative.
ly small; you must 20 and make my apollo.
Eies."
well, agreed. But first let me giyeyo
a cup of coffee"
Never mind" groaned Charley. what
was going to sayf Oh, you must SO and
sec Flora Howard for me, l told her last
night that l should have something very
particular to say to her today, aud sho'n
think 1t purposed Rfront IL she hears
nothing from mo"
what shall tell her--that you have
woeful cold In the bead"
Nonsense Just explain matters TO her
and say that-that--in short, convey 10 her
the idea that love her and ask her IL she
will have me"
Rather an awkward message for third
person 10 carry Hadn't you better walt
until you can plead your own cause in pro
pria PERSONAL
No no-it's a question that admits OF
no delay. There are dozen beauX flirting
round her the whole time and 1t won't do
TO lose my prize for lack OF decision just
act as my proxy, Ralph. know she will
say yes"
"On my soul, Charley, wish you wouldn't
send me on this particular errand. Can't
you find some other messenger
"oh, understand what you mean" said
Evans, tossing rcstlessly on his pillow II
know you were rather an admirer OF Flora's
At one time, but you must be aware that
you never had any chance in that quarter
Don't beselash-and, besides, would rath-
er send an honest, stupid sort OF fellow
like you than any one else. No ofense
Ralph, hopeW
"Oh, no; OF course not, - said Ralph Brew
ster demurely, Struggling his shoulders
"Well. IN do my best"
As Ralph Brewster walked rapidly along
the ice glazed pavements he could not help
mentally rcverting 10 the gentleman he had
left behind him.
Pretty cool. must sayl" he remarked
to himself. I've seen a good many evil
dences OF Charley Evans selfshness, but
this Ia the most convincing OF all. Does h0
suppose have no feelingsi And then his
calm way OF taking 1t for granted that
Flora Howard 10 dying for him. I'd rather
undergo the rack than to do Charloy's
counting for him-but | mustn't indulge
these lachrymose sensations"
The slnnting afternoon beams peeping In
to Charley Evans invalid chamber played
all sorts Of merry pranks around his dls-
beyeled hair and restless head, aud finally
creeping up the wall vanished away into
thepurpls my sterles oftwilight--apd Ralph
Brewster did not appear 70 report progress
Charley grew impatient It isn't pNrteu.
larly favorable to All angelic disposition 10
have cold In your head, with aching bones
and quivering nerves and oraniuin throb-
bling aS II somebody WIS trying TO split It
apart with a dull hRtchet
Nine, 10, II o'clock sounded on his strained
ear, and still Ralphs familiar footstep had
not fallen on the stair. What could have
delayed bim'
And while he was revolving probabilities
and possibilities in his weary brain Nor
pheus considerably came to the rescue, and
he fell asleep 10 dream Of standing before
the altar with Flora Howard
IL was on the evening Of the third day
from this eventual first that Charles Evans
sat before his fire, very cross because the
doctor had prohibited his going out for n
day or tive.
Suddenly the door was flung open. and
Ralph Brewster burst in.
"Halloo, old fellow. How are your Sur
prised ut my nonnppearance, eht Well,
here am 10 make all the necessary apollo
ges and explanations
Charley held ont his hand with lazy &C
auiescence in ,Vbatcyer might befnll that
was worthy OF n nobler cause.
well, Charley, went To sec Flora, as
YOU wished me tor
'Did youf" said Charley, rather bright
enipg un. What did she sayfn
Why, commenced by making all apol-
oRies for vpur absence-whloh BY the way.
didn't seem TO affect her very powerfully
and then | PLAYED offhand into the love
subject
"Wellt" demanded Charley eagerly.
THE strangest part Of the matter was
that she didn't understand me- but seemed
to imagine that WAS making love for my.
self-and before | could explain she Ind
hidden her pretty face on my shoulder aud
confessed In the sweetest words woman
ever faltered forth that my sentiment was
not altogether unreturnedli
,,i...t.. t,...,. ,,.-..1 ,,srt red .,,r.,,,,