Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1894-05-10
HE DID HIS BEST.

Cold in the head, ch? Never mind
it--up with you"
Up. indeed. with knife-like pains
shooting up and down every joint in a
fellows body, and his head feeling ms II
Il hundrcd-weight of lead were tied to
every individual hair
Remember your engagements, Char
ley. Remember that the girls expect
every young man to do his duty this
splendid day
Mr. Evans groaned.
Ralph, your list of visits is COMPARE
lively small; you must go and make my
apologies"
We'll, agreed But first let mo give
you Il cup of coffee"
Never mind" grOaned Charley.
What was | going to say? On, you
must go and see Flora Howard for me.
l told her last night that | should have
something very particular to say to her
to-day and she'll think it purposcd
affront if she hears nothing from me-
What shall tell her-that you have
Il woeful cold in the head
Nonsense. Just explain matters to
her and say that-that-in short. CON
vcy to her the idea that | love her and
ask her if she will have me"
Rather an awkward message for
third person to carry. Hadn't you bet
ter wait until you can plead your OWN
cause in propria PERSONA
mo, nO-itS IL question that admits
of no delay There are dozen beauX
flirting around her the whole time. and
it won't do to lose my prize for lack or
decision. Just act rs my proxy, Eaiph.
/ know she will say yes.
ION my soul. Charley. l wish you
wouldn't send me on this particular
errand Can't you find some other mes
ScngcrE'
"Oh. | understand what You mcan,"
said Evans. tossing rcStleSSly on MS
pillow. Il know you were rather an
admircr of FlOra'S ut one time. but You
must he aware that you never had any
chance in that quarter. Don't be sell
ashland. besides | would rather send
an honest stupid sort of Il fellow like
you than any one else. No ofense,
Ralph. hope
"Oh. no: of course aot." said Ralph
Brewster. demurely Struggling his
shoulders. Well III do my best"
As Ralph Brewster walked rapidly
along the ccglaZcd pavement he could
not help mentally rcvcrting to the gen
tleman he had left behind him.
"Pretty cool. | must say he re-
marked TO himself. i've seen Il good
many evidences of Charley Evans sell
fiShncsS. but this is the most convincing
of all Does he suppose that | have no
feelings? And then his calm way OF
taking il for granted that Flora How
ard is dying for him. I'd rather I'M |
dCrgO the rack than to do Charley's !
cOurting for him; but I mustn't indulge !
these lachrymosc sensations"
The Slanting afternoon beams peep |
ing into Charley Evans invalid cham |
Der played all sorts of merry FRANKS |
around his tfiSheveled hair and restless |
head. and finally creeping up the wall |
vanished away into the purple mystcr- |
les of twilight-and Ralph Brewster did |
not appear TO report progress.
Charley grew impatient. 1t isn't par
ticularly favorable to an angelic dispo- |
SitiOn to have Il cold in your head. with !
aching bones and Quivering nerves and |
Il Uranium thrObbing rs if somebody
was trying TO split it apart with dull
hatchct.
Nine, 10. II o'clock sounded on his
strained ear. and still Ralph's familiar
footsteps had not fallen on the stairs.
What could have delayed him!
And while he was revolving prObabili-
ties and possibilities in his weary brain
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 eventful first that Charles
Evans sat before his fire, very cross
because the doctor had prohibited his
going out for day or two.
Suddenly the door was flung open and
Ralph Brewster burst in.
Halo. old fellow. How IRE YOU?
Surprised at my non-apDearance, eh?
Well. here | am to make all the nee
cssary apologies and explanations
Charley held out his hand with II lazy
acquiescence in whatever might befall
that was worthy of IL nobler cause
well, Charley, / went to see Flora,
as you wished me to-
Did you?" said Charley. rather
Frightening up. What did she say"
why, i commenced by making all
apologies for your absence-which, by
the way. didn't seem to affect her very
powerfully-and then | plunged off
hand into the love subject"
"Wcll:' demanded Charley, eagerly.
The strangeSt part of the matter was
that she didn't understand me. but
seemed to imagine that l was making
love for mySelf-and before l could eX-
plain she had hidden her pretty face on
my shoulder and confessed in the sweet
est words woman ever faltered forth
that my sentiment was not altogether
unreturned.'
Charles Evans turned very red.
sprang up and then changed his mind
and sat down again.
We'll. what next"
why, you can imagine the delightful
perpleXity of my position. OF course, 1
couldn't bawl out. You're mistaken in
the individual, Miss Floral am only
counting in behalf of Charley Evans;
now. could ~
Charley Evans stared fiXedly on his
friend, but made no answer. Ralph
went on:
$50, when ] discovered that the