Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-01-20


along with her mother. He evidently was
not surprised and stepped forward smiling.
Unconsciously | had done Blipp a bad
turn, but made the best of it. BY one of
those graceful flank movements character
istic of myself gained Miss Silvey's side,
and by the use of little diplomacy led her
away. Spinks had nothing to do but to
drop behind with the mother. l fancy she
was not favorably impressed that morning
by the conversation of the young man who
wanted to be her son-in-law. The young
lady and got along swimmingly until an
unexpected interruption.
"Just at a bend in the walk q young gen.
tleman stepped in front of us. He came SO
suddenly into view from behind little
summer house that was impressed with
the belief that he had been lurking there.
He lifted his hat and made a fine show of
pleased surprise why, Miss Silvey-Mr.
Hornady, this is unexpected, Pm sure, but
delightful How you frightened meP
eaid Miss Silvey. Where did you come
eecna, Mr.. Blipp!'
"Quite naturally he turned and walked
back with us, casting furtive glance be-
hind at Spinks. 1t suddenly occurred to
me that l had seen enough Of the park, and
regretfully told them l had an engage
ment at noon. We waited until Spinks
and the mother came up. Spinks looked
doggedly at his watch and spitefully at
Blpp and said he was sorry but he had an
engagement too.
He walked along beside me, sullenly re
fusing to speak. After we were on the car
he suddenly looked up and asked, 'Horna-
dy, are you married?'
II put on a sorrowful expression. L was
married once l said. He flushed up, bit
his thin mustache and seemed sorry for his
question.
"I see,' he said at length; "a widower'
IA week later was sitting in an obscure
end of the cafe with Spinks, who insisted
on my taking supper with him. A waiter
held deicately perfumed envelope over
my shoulder and asked if was Blake Hor-
nady. l took the letter and held it up to
the light Spinks glanced at the superscrip-
ton and gave a nervous start. He had rec
ogniZed Miss Silvey's handwriting.
Il read the note refolded it carefully, as
carefully replaced it in the envelope and
very tenderly put it in my pocket. Look
here blurted out Spinks, ARE you in love
with that young lady-is she in love with
you?' / looked ut him very severely and
his gaze faltered. Then he continued;
You have come between Miss Silvey and
myself ever since the first time we saw
you. It's always you or Blipp.' He ut
tered the last name like an explosive. /
regarded him curiously, and before could
make up my mind what to say he left the
table hurriedly.
II walked to the clerks desk to leave the
key with him. Blipp was leaning on the
counter and greeted me pleasantly. AS
pulled out my room key Miss Silvey's note
fell to the floor. Blipp stopped, picked it
up and very politely handed it to me- In
voluntarily his eye caught the address and
he gave a start. He recognized the hand
writing. BY the way he remarked pleas
antly, I want to see you We went into
the parlor and he opened fire of once.
"'Hornady,' he began dramatically, it
was bad enough with only two of us, with
only Spinks to work against. But now you
have come, and you've got a note from her.
You talk with her, go walking with her,
sit in the box at the theater with her
'Blipp,' said l, L am your guardian angel
and l left him standing stupetied.
1.-The troublesome note was nothing more
nor less than an invitation from Mrs. and
Miss Silvey to join them in Il box party
Neither Spinks nor Blipp had been invited.
Matters had reached such a crisis that l,
being a married man, could not accept
this invitation without complicating the
trouble.
II went straight to Miss Silvey and told
her that as left the next morning it would
be impossible for me to accept the very
kind invitation. l took occasion to suggest
TO her that she might invite Mr.. Percival
Blipp. She looked at me furtively, and
asked if l didn't think it would be asking
too much of him. l told her that | was
positive that it wouldn't be. You KNOW
she said, Mr.. Blipp and l come from the
same place, and he rather feels that we ex-
pect him to make it pleasant for mother and
l since we happened to come at tie same
time and are stopping at the same hotel.
You see don't want to infringe on his good
nature-for he is good naturcd,' she added
Something seemed to fash across her mind.
And Mr. Spnks:' she asked. Oh re-
piled, he is going out with me.
II am so sorry you are going away Just
as we are getting acquainted The last
thing she said to me was in reference to
Spinks. You seem to have formed a great
liking for him. she said. You and he are
almost constantly together am glad you
like him. she added contidingly. He is
very popular in Spokane and has great
future, | think And Blipp? l said. She
did not hear me.
THAT night l went to the theater, and
from q quiet corner safe from observation,
| looked down upon Percivai Blipp seated
beside Miss Silvey, glowing with happiness.
l Stumb led upon SpnkS rs went out. lie
glowered upon me and strobe on.
Il caught an early train for Atlanta next
morning. My interest in this three cor
nered love affair had become 50 great that
l was half tempted to stay and see the out
come. l heartily regretted to lose sight of
the three young people altogether l
thought of the hotel clerk. He was Il nice
young man and seemed to know his bust
ness. I started to tell him about the af
fair, but he gave me IL knowing wink.
know he said. And will you write me
how it comes out?' asked. He nodded.
n have pictured hundred different ends
to the afrair. Once l even pictured to my
self the possibility of my becoming Wild
over and marrying Miss silvcy. Then
saw her marry another fellow. But the
termination that suited mo best was the
one in which Percival Blipp married her.
MY speculations were ended this morn
ing by the receipt of this letter:
HOTEL ALPHARETTA, Chicago.
B. Hornady:
DEAR SIR-In accordance with your request,
have this to write: Mrs. Silvey and daughter
paid their bill yesterday and had their trunks
checked to Spokane Falls, Wash. Hardly an
hour afterward p. Blipp paid his bill and had
his trunk checked for the same place. w.
Spinks leaves today, trunk checked for New
York YOur Obedient servant E. JENKINS.