The morning call., 1893-12-11
HE DID HIS BEST.

succession of couyulsiye sneezes and
"Ccld in the head, eh? Never mind it
up with your
"UTp. indeed. with knife-like pains shoot
ing up and down every joint in fellows
body. and his head feeling as If hundred
weight of lead were tied to every indiyid-
ual hair!'
"Remem0er your engagements, Charley
-remember that the girls expect every
young mau 10 do his dury this splendid
day!'
Mr.. Evans groaned.
'Ralph. your list of visits is comuara-
lively small-tou must go and make my
apOlogiesI'
''Well, agreed. But first let me give Won
a a.cnp Of c0ffee.">
Meyer mind" Froaned Charley. "What
was l going to say? Oh, you must go and
see Flora Howard for me; l told her last
night that l should have something very
particular to say to her to-day, and she'll
think 1t a puTposed affront if she hears
nothing from me-
What shall | tell her.that you've got
w0ful cold in the head?'
NOnsense-just explain matters to her.
. and say tbat-,hat-in short. convey the
3 idea to her that love her, and ask her if
she'll have me-"
"Rather an awkward message for a third
E person 10 carTy-hadn't you better wait
Until you can plead your own cause in
propria personal"
= oh: n0-its a question that admits of
mo delay. There are dozen beaux flirting
round her the whole time, and it won't do
TO lose my prize for lack of decision. just
act;as my: proxy. Ralph. know she Will
say YES"
'0n my soul, Charley, 1 wish you
I; :wouldn't send me- on this particular er-
rand. Can't you fnd some other mes
senger."
'tOh. l know what you mean," said
Evans, tossing restlessly on his pillow. Il
know You were rather an admirer OF
flora 5 at one time, but you must be aware
that you never had any chance in that
quarter. Don't be selfish-and, besides, |
would rather send an honest, stupid sort
of fello" like you than any one else. No
ottense, Ralph, hope"
On, no-Of course not" said Ralph
Brewster. demurey. Struggling his shoul-
;, ders. "Well, I'll do my best"
As Ralph Brewster walked rapidly along
the ice-gaZed pavemeEts he could not help
g. mentally Teverting TO the gentleman he had
left behind him.
. Pretty cool, must say" remarked he to
himself. I've seen good many evidences
of Charley Evans selfshDess. but this is
:: thR most convincing of all. Does he sup
pose ! have no feelings? And then his
calm way Of taking it for granted that
. Flora Howard Is dying for him. I'd rather
. undergo the rack than to do Charley's
. :conrting for him-but l mustn't indulge
: these lachrymose sensations
The slanting afternoon beams peeping
: iR to Charley Evans invalid chamber
: played all sorts Of merry pranks around
his disheveled hair and restless head, aud
: hnally creeping mp the wall vanished
:" away into the p1rple mysteries of twi-
: ::lght-and ReDh Brewster did not appear
&c fep1rt progress
: Charley grew impatient. 1t isn't par
: .ticularly favorable to an angelic disposi-
tlGu to have a cold in your head, with
aching bones and qulyering nerves and a
@crantlm throbbing as if somebody was
: trying 70 split it apart with dull hatchet
: Nihe-10-J1 o'clock sounded on his
Strained ear, and still Rtlph's familiar
: footsteps had not fallen on the stair.
What could have delayed MIN?
And while be was revolving probabili-
ties aRd possibilities in his weary brain
20 Morpheus CONSIDERABLY came to the rescue
% and he fell asleep to dream of standing
: before the altar with Flora Howard.
=: 1t was on the evening Of the third day
from this eYentful first that Charles Evans
sat before his fire, very cross because The
doctor had prohibited bis going out for
:day or two.
= Suddenly the door was flung open and
..Ralph.Brew burst in.
:: "Hallo, old fellow. how are you? Sur
prised at ny noB-appearance. Ell? Well,
here / am To make all The necessary apollo
d. gias and explanations"
Charley Beld out his hand with a lazy
acquiescence in whatever might befall,
that was worthy of a nober cause.
Veil. Charley, went to see Flora. as
you wished ne tor
D.: : : sDdyon9" said Charley, rather bright
ening nD. IVY hat did she say?"
10. Why. l commenced by making all
ap0logies for your abSence-which, by the
way, didn't seem to affect her very pow
::erfufly-snd then l played, off hand, into
the.love subject"
"Weil?" demanded Charley, eagerly.
= The sETangest part Of the matter was
that She didn't understand me. but seemed
to:imagine that l was making love for my
self, and before / could explain she had
hidden her pretty face on my shoulder
and confessed fn the sweetest words woman
ever faltered forth that my sentiment was
not altogether unretuTned."
Charles Evans turned very red, sprang
up and then changed his mind and sat
dowa again.
t'Well-what next ?"
WHY. you can imagine the delighted
perplexity of my position. OF course, [
couldn't bawl out. You're mistaken in the
individual, Miss Floral am only courting
ia behalf Of Charley Evans now, could ?'
Charley. Evans stared fxedly at his
friend, but made no answer. Ralph went
$50: Nv hen l discovered that the bright
est dream Of my life-hitherto deemed as
visionary and unapproachable as the very
stars of hea aEen-was a blessed reality, |
accepted the priceless treasure with the
resolution to deserve it. If possible. And
as she was annoyed by the opportunities
Of one or. two wealthy suitOrs, who were
favored by her parents. | concluded tha'
the sooner matters were brought TO crisi
the better SO we quietly slipped away
and got married the self same evening
And now claim your congratulations!
Charley elaborately pulled out his Dockel
handkerchief
friend imagined, TO give way to burst Of
vain tears, merely to sneezei
e. ''Well, Ralph" said be composedly,
when that operation was safely over,
you're lucky fellow, and I'm not sure.
eIler all. but that you deserve Ii.
aug you VIII come to Visit Flora and
myself In friendly way?"
AS soon as / am able 10 go out Please
20 heno me that bowl Of tea. boston
In THE CRIMEA.