Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-01-20

said he thought the roller chairs an excel
lent method of getting about the grounds
and saving time. Blipp said they were only
intended for decrepid old women and inva-
lids. Miss Silvey's eyes sparkled with de-
light at the exchange of pleasantries be-
tween her two lovers. She glanced at me
roguishly and encouraged the two young
fellows to go on.
This translated love affair was an anus
ing comedy. and l fingered at the table as
long as the young lovers kept it going. In
stinctively my sympathy went out to Per
cival Blipp, and l watched the progress of
the conversation, his defeats and his rallies,
with that interest one feels in following
the fortunes of a hero in play or book.
II conceived a strong liking for his open
honest face. | gathered from the converse
ton that he was mine owner, and liked
him all the better for that. Spinks was 3
young lawyer, and as Blipp rose in my es-
timation he fell correspondingly.
II took my first look at the fair the next
morning remembered Miss Silvey's an
nouncement that she was going to spend
the day in the Art building, and late in the
afternoon | went there hoping to catch
sight of them. l stumbled upon Blipp five
minutes after l got inside. He seemed to
be wandering about in desultory fashion,
gazing at the pictures in a perfunctory, dis
interested way. lie recognized me and
smiled. I remember your face at the ia
Bile last night said he. My name is Per
cival Blipps, Spokane Falls. Wash. Look
ing at the pctures?'
HE rambled on without any apparent
method or object. He kept sending inquir-
ing glances ahead, and presently recog-
| nized, few feet away from us, Miss Silvey
and Spinks. If they were not enjoying the
show, why, appearances don't count for any
thing. They were holding guidebook be-
tween them and alternately searching
through it's leaves for the numbers and
looking at the pictures, giving every symp-
tom of pleasure.
"Blipp saw that recognized them, and
he blushed. There they are he said, half
guiltily; they've been taking it in all day.
laughed out loud. And you,' said l,
and you-you've been following them
about / laughed louder than ever. That's
about the size of it, he said. DO you think
she likes him best?' asked. oh, don't
know he said, dismally but earnestly; it's
been going on like this for a year and
half. At home both of us have been trying
desperately to win her, but the contest
seems to be so evenly matched thatit looks
| as if we We're still neck and neck.
When she came to the fair, of course
we followed. She's certainly been leading
us race One day it's Blipp and the next
it's Spinks. It's Spinks today He was so
genuinely miserable that | felt sorry for
him. AS he finished he made a sudden
dart and disappeared through q door to the
right. stopped in amaZement and found
the explanation of his startling conduct in
Miss Silvey and Spinks, who had turned
| and were coming back toward us. She was
saying that she would prefer to go back on
steamer. After they had passed, Blipp
sneaked back. Have they gomez he asked
apprehensively. They We're disappearing
in the crowd, and we followed.
This is tough luck he said, as he
scrambled along to keep in sight. You
can't appreciate it, old man, unless you've
been throughit. What would you do? Ask
her and risk it, or keep on like this until
she indicated which she liked best?'
~ don't know said. This is hardly
the place to ask girl to marry you, but
it's an excellent place to prepare her for it.
If can help you, let me know
"'Thank you, thank you,' he said CRATE
fully.
I'VE were just in time to get on the
steamboat, and after we rushed on with
the crowd the young lady did not see us.
Blipp hurried around on the opposite side
from them and leaned against the rail re-
garding them furtively. The steamboat
was slaShinS along mile from the fair
when the young miner tossed his cigar into
the lake and started toward them. Come
along said he. Tll introduce YOU
1T was with a fine affectation of sur
prise that Blipp greeted them. You here!
he exclaimed gayly, how lucky! Miss Sill
vey, my friend Mr.. Hornady from the
SOUTH She smiled sweetly and gave me
glance of recognition. l took Il seat beside
her, Blipp establishing himself on the other
side. Spinks regarded me for Il moment as
nuisance that had to be tolerated, but
luckily my first conversation venture with
him struck weak point. He asked me
| how l liked the fair, and | said superb
and told him liked the Mining building
best.
His clayey face lighted up, and he
| launched forth upon an enthusiastic disser-
tation on silver. While he was in the
midst of it unperceived by him Blipp and
Miss Silvey walked to the front end of the
boat and were lost to view. 1t was some
| such thing had in mind when | engaged
| the western lawyer in conversation. Sud
| denly he broke off and stared vacantly at
the two empty seats.
"'H'mP he remarked stammeringly and
with very foolish look. Where have
they gone? Can't be overboard?'
'All the silver eloquence ooZed out of the
| young lawyer with the discovery that Miss
| Silvey and Blipp were no longer with us.
| He had no heart for further conversation,
and his remarks to me during the rest of
| the trip were in monosyllables. His dis
| tress was painful to see when the steamboat
| butted against her pier at Van Buren, street.
| He rushed forward, then back again, then
| to the center, where he Stood hopeless and
| helpless, staring ut the retreating crowd.
Where are they he entreated. | had
caught glimpse of Miss Silrey's brown
curls OIL the .gangplank minute before.
| They'll BE at5ng presently said consul-
ing1r Wait lie did wait We were the
| Inst people to leave fhc steamer. lie stood
Hthe pier gazing up the flight Of steps With
| q lost expression.
"'Damn ftp he said.
at was my intention to go to the theater
| that night, and rs started out I looked
around for the lovers party. Spinks was
| standing near the register, picture of de-
| lection and gloom. touched him on the
| shoulder.
"'Hello, Spinks, are you going out ts-
night?"
"Ho looked ut me darkly.
"'Yes, Pm going to tho theater.'
"'What theater?'"
"He turned to the ticket scalper in the
corner.
Didn't you sell some tickets to fat
young man with brown mustachs and q
western accent tonight" he asked.
81 did,
"'What theaterH
"'Schiller's.'
"Spinks turned to me.
81 am going to Schiller's,' he said.
1.-THE theater was crowded; but, being en-
time, we got good seats. The play was The
Girl 1 Left Behind Me- drama full OF
stirring situations But SDinkS was not
stirred. He didn't even see the play His
| eyes were turned to the right. Following
the direction of his gaze, recognized Miss
| Silvey Seated beside her was Percival
| Blipp, his face flushed with delight. just
| behind them sat Mrs Silvey. Miss Silvey
recognized us and smiled so sweetly that
! Spinks' gloom was lifted like n mist before