The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-06-09

for all needs and seasons. I took these
Christmas things up, one by one, and
brought them to his attention, and he
accepted each one and made a place
for it in this holiday number. Then he
called his assistant in and gave instruc-
tons for making up the copy-and /
took him away with me and gave him a
royal good time for week. When he
got back to the office it was too late to
make any changes, and so you see the
number has come out with nothing but
my work. And a very good number it
is, too," he concluded, complacently.
"But what do you expect to gain by
it?" I asked; "the story will surely
come out, and it will do you no good,
but quite the reverse"
"You are wrong" replied Lightly,
quietly; "the story will not come out.
You can see that Aldeson must be the
last man to tell it. And he could have
no object in doing so, especially as the
number has already made such a good
impression"
With that he took from his pocket
copies Of a half-dozen leading papers
and reviews and showed me comments
that were not only favorable but fiat
tering in the extreme.
paid for?' said I, not little dis
gusted with the whole business, and
particularly at being made a confdant
of.
eyes," he laughed; "but it goes just
the same. And now" he added, with
a slight show Of hesitancy, ''for the
other NATTER
$50 ahead" I answered, not very
graciously, considering that l was
dining with him; Il might as well hear
it all now"
''You asked me what I expected to
gain by it. You know Lettie Under
wood" I started at the name, but
nodded with what composure I could
command. 'That dear girl" said
Lightly, "has promised to marry me
as soon as I have won a place in lit
erature-in fact, as soon as I have
an established standing with any of
the leading magazines. This settles
that point" To emphasize his mean
ing he tapped All the World trium-
phantly.
"But surely" I said, you would not
consider this fair? You would not be
willing that she should know"
'Alls fair in love, my boy. And I
want you to be my best man.
managed to get off with some half
promise, and then, pleading an en-
gagement, I got out Of the club as
quickly as possible and into cab, and
gave the driver the number Of Lettie
UnderWood's house.
The dear girl could have choked
Lightly for using the words; they were
in my heart whenever I thought Of
her, which was all the time-was at
home and received me with her usual
sweet welcome. But T held her at
arms length, and, with all the stern
ness that could command, exclaimed:
"Lettie, you are a Wretohed trifler.
Give me back my heart"
What is the mater with the Door
boy nOW?" she cooed softly.
Matter enough. You have promised
to marry Lightly"
eyes," she laughed, II remember.
He proposed to me six months ago. /
told him I would when he had made
a success
'1our exact Words" said, severely,
''Were-'When you have standing
with any of the leading magazines.
Same thing" she answered, airi]y;
she will never achieve either 1t was
my way of letting him down easy
"Letitia, listen to me-" I said;
Lightly has written the entire Christ
mas number Of All the World.''
At this Lefty looked at me reproach-
fully.
'Dick," she said, "where have you
been dining?'
mo, it is not that" I protested; II
dlned at the club, and Lightly told mo
himself, and he showed me the maya
zine, and asked me to be his best
man, and we only had one bottle be-
tween u.s.
"Well, this is scrapev she ex-
claimed ruefully; &c suppose I will have
TO Keep my promise and marry him."
AND what about your promise to
me!' I asked sarcastically.
'That was indefinite" she answered
thoughtfully; there was never any
time set for that. So I shall have to
marry him now, and if he should die.
or anything happen, I could marry
you afterward."
Thanks" I replied dryly; 'but that
programme does not suit me. Now let
me plan a little. You have been a
willful creature, never ready to name
the day, and see the trouble you have
got into. I suppose Lightly will be
here bright and early tomorrow to
marry you. Now, propose to marry
you myself tomorrow at noon.''
At this her eyes opened in wide pro-
test.
YES" I continued, II shall send a
note to Lightly, telling him of your
change of plans and asking him to be
my best man.
"But, Dick, this is so sudden. What
shall live on?"
Love, you practical GIRL" I cried,
catching her in my arms; ''besides, the
publishers Of All the World to-day
offered me the editorsnip of the maya
zine, vice ADDISON, resigned. I sup
pose his going out has some connec-
ton with this business Of Lightly's. I
am sorry for him, but might as well
have the place as another"
"And then you can print anything
Of your own that you want to, can't
you, dear? I am glad that you won't
have to be rejected any more"
"Not even by you, sweetheart"
"Not even by me-any more"
DO you want the *hnisf
We were married on the morrow,
and Lettie was as pretty a bride as