The herald., 1894-08-25

81 think I must be mad. The idea Of
my Offering to marry Reginald Beres-
fordl Reggie, with whom quarreled
Reggie, with whom 1 played in my
baby days. Reggie, to whom l was en-
gagged when l was still in short frooks
before he was first sent to India.
''Iwas married to Mf. Vonning when
he came back, and thon-then poor Reg
g'n began to racket and spend his money
S.A ruin his health. Heaven forgive
mel laughed at him-he was SO poor
for, though my heart ached for him,
my head was too light to remember any
thing but that was young and pretty
1t serves me right that, after all, l ain
obliged to marry some man I hate any
way. Now for it!''
In her slender writing she penned
eight letters to the men who within
the last few months had wooed and
tried to win the prettiest widow in
London. She playfully claimed the pre-
rogative peculiar to her own sex of
changing her mind and wrote plalntive
ly of her lonely life and her longing for
guiding hand and strong arm.
When the task was completed, she
rang the bell, and sending for her maid
told her to prepare for a weeks stay in
the country.
4
"Who has called?' Mrs. Vonning
asked as she entered her fiat On her re-
turn from the country. A sheaf of cards
and q packet of letters were handed her,
The first she tossed aside; the second
demanded perusal.
''Now, l wonder how many men !
shall find myself engaged to by the time
I've read all these?"
She broke the seal of the first.
Sir Rodericki So glad to hear I'm
well-fears Scotland would scarcely suit
me-lind regards. How Scotch!
''The bishop rejoices to see am TAX
ing a more serious view of life. Has
changed his mind about marrying and
thinks the clergy should be celibates.
"Gluckstein has looked up my hus-
bands will and considers that my read
mess to become his wife is actuated
solely by desire to possess his millions.
Gracious! What else could he think?
Colonel Dingwall is engaged to a
young girl-all blue eyes and golden
hair-going to be married next week.
How foolish he must have felt when he
read my letter. Well, four Of them are
out of the running"
A slight flush rose to Mrs. Venning's
cheeks as she opened the fifth letter,
which she quickly tore across and across.
''What shameful letter to writel l
always did hate that horrid old duch-
ess.
"Umph! Lord Arthur ST. Johns
valet writes for him. Says his master
has got softening Of the brain.
"Bertie Shorthouse informs me that
he's stone broke and has got to marry
an American heiress, but will l dine
with him at the Cafe Royal one night?
There are five mistakes in spelling.
''Now for Lord Fordwell. He always
was dear old thing. Whatl He would
be delighted, but his daughters won't
hear Of his marrying again.
''And to think that should be refus-
ed by eight men By men who vowed
they loved me for myself; would defy
the fates to win me; would wait for
years for me. Oh, this humiliation is
awful l shall''-
'Lulun' said a voice behind her.
"Reggie! You? Where have you been,
poor boy, and what have you been do
ing?"
II have been at the Cape, and have
been making my fortune. And your"
"Oh, p
81 hear you are free?"
"Yes!'
"Going to marry again?"
'Perhaps. Is that what you came
back from the Cape to say?"
eyes. Any chance for me, Lulu?"
"What will you do if say no?''
"Go back to the Cape"
"I could not send you back there
again, Reggie"
He caught her perfect form in his
strong arms; her beautiful head rested
ON his shoulder; he kissed her many
times. He called her by name, but she
only sobbed, for she was very happy.
Women are strange things. Pick Me