Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-03-23

Viu lhis 0iittefWhn, VINO nhu nearu
portion of our colloquy, ''but if it
wouldn't be taking liberty to inquire
whether you intend to keep house or
board"
What" CALCULATED |.
''Io keep house or board?" reiter-
ated Mr.. Glitterman. because in
the former case we should esteem it
favor to supply the silver and table
ware"
| muttered some not particularly
complimentary answer and went out
Of the store, closing the door behind
me with some emphasis.
Going to be married, eh, old
ehaps' said Snilfins, familiarly thrust
ing his elbow into my side, as strolIed
INTO Delmonico's for my lunch that
day.
'Nol" said 1, taking up the carte.
'0h, come, don't deny the soft i'm
lpeachment," said Snifiins with a
wink.
what has put such an idea as that
into your head?" demanded /, some
what Indignantly.
Name of Helen" said Snifins,
with an idiotic giggle. "waiter, a
pate de foie gras herel Let's drink
her health, Bolton, when
At this stage l pretended to see
someone who | knew at an opposite
table. and bolted across the room.
Old Mr. Jessup was trotting mp
Broadway as came out, with brown
Slk umbrella under his arm.
"Eh?" said Mr.. Jessup, turning
lpon me the moony glare of two spec
arled eyes.
What's this | hear about you, my
3r young friend? Accept my con
5tulationsl Matrimony is always a
Asssed estate. and Z
oh, yes. 1 don't doubf II, sir, |
6Nrriedly interrupted. ''but-a-
here's some mistake about it,"
Miss What did you say said
old Mr.. Jessup, beamingly. 'Call
Hound this evening and tell us all
aboutit. there's a good fellow.
haven't time to listen just nowl''
| could have torn my hair with rage.
Nr. Jessup was Pauline Brookes's S
uncle and guardian, and 1 knew that
my cake in that direction would be all
dough, if once the fatal story of the
wedding-ring got to Paulines ears.
| hurried up Broadway mentally
gnashing my teeth, and in my i'm
.petuous haste. had nearly stumbled
over Pauline herself, just coming out
Of florists, with a tiny boutonniere
Of English violets in her hand.
'Paulinel' cried l, rapturously.
But Pauline drew back, the least little
distance in the world, thereby put
ting an invisible barrier between us,
that froze me like an icicle.
Dear me, Mr.. Bolton, is it you?"
said Pauline. 81 congratulate you,
an sure y
Upon what?" demanded, grow
ing desperate.
Upon your approaching mar
riage y said Pauline, with smile like
auroral lights lowering over a snow
bank.
But I'm not going to be married, u
protested /.
"oh, excuse me, pray Gentlemen
do not usually buy wedding rings
without a purpose, interposed Paul.
Inc. "Only l should think you might
have paid such old friends us we are
the compliment of some slight init
nation of your impending marriage.
Pauline, said I-"Miss Brookes-
hear me? There is only one woman IN
the world / would care to marry. and
she stands before me now?"
Pauline's lips quivered-the tears
sprinkled into her eyes.
"Mr. Belton, said she, "you may
regard all this as very good joke, but
surely, surely, it is not necessary tc
add any more insult to it,"
"Do you mean that you don't be
lieve me?"
she.
Driven to a sort of frenzy, 1 drag
ged Wyncote's letter from my pockets,
Pauline, said /, ''read that, and
you have ready solution of the mys-
'ery OF the wedding ring"
Her face cleared up as she glanced
over the contents of poor Wyncote'i
ecstatic missive.
Poor fellowl" said she. "He'i
very much in love, isn't hep"
Not half as much as | am, said l.
And then in the smilax- bordered shad
ow OF the florists window, l pressed
my SUIT: Dear Pauline, let me order
another wedding .ring?"
For whom?H demanded my lady
love.
For you. have loved you thil
long time, but l never had courage tc
avow my love before. dear Pauline"
Hush +" said Pauline. "Wt
mustn't stand talking here"