Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-21


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 bend in the walk q young gen.
tleman stepped in front of US. He came SO
suddenly into view from behind q little
summer house that was impressed with
the belief that he had been lurking there.
He lifted his hat and made fine show of
pleased surprise. why, Miss Silvey-Mr.
Hornady, this is unexpected, Pm sure, but
delightful How you frightened q =
said Miss Silvey Where did you come
from, Mr.. Blippf'
"Quite naturally he turned and walked
back with us, castings furtive glance be-
hind at Spinks. 1t suddenly occurred to
me that had seen enough Of the park, and
regretfully told them had an engage
| ment at noon. We waited until Spinks
| and the mother came up. Spinks looked
doggedly at his watch and spitefully at
Blipp 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, 'Horua-
dy, are you marr1edF
"I put on sorrowful expression. I was
married once said. He flushed up, bit
his thin mustache and seemed sorry for his
question.
"I see,' he said at length; a widower.'
"Aweek later was sitting in an obscure
end Of the cafe with Spinks who insisted
on my takir.5 supper with him. A waiter
held delicately perfumed envelope over
my shoulder and asked If was Blake Hor-
nady. took the letter and held it up to
the light Spinks glanced at the superscrip-
tion and gave nervous start. He had rec
ognized Miss Silvey's handwriting.
"I read the note, refoIded it carefully, as
carefully replaced it In the envelope and
very tenderly put 1t In my pocket. Look
here blurted out Spinks, ARE you in love
with that young lady-is she in love with
your looked at 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.
IT walked to the clerks desk to leave the
key with him. Blpp 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 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 at once.
"iHornady,' he began dramatically, 1t
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 1, I am your guardian angel
and l left him standing stupefed.
1.-THE troublesome note was nothing more
nor less than an invitation from Mrs. and
Miss Silvey to join them in box party
Neither Spinks nor Blipp had been invited.
Matters had reached such crisis that /,
being a married man, could not accept
this invitation without complicating the
trouble.
IT went straight to Miss Silvey and told
her that as left the next morning twould
be impossible for me to accept the very
kind invitation. I took occasion to suggest
to her that she might invite Mr.. Percival
Biipp. She looked at me furtively, and
asked If didn't think it would be asking
too much Of him. told her that was
positive that it wouldn't be. You know
she said, Mr.. Blipp and I come from the
same place, and he rather feels that we ex-
pect him to make it pleasant for mother and
I since we happened to come at the same
time and are stopping at the same hotel
You see don't want to infringe on his good
nature-for 40 is good natured,' she added.
Something seemed to flash across her mind.
And Mr.. Spinks?' 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 great
liking for him. she said. You and he are
almost constantly together. am glad you
like him. she added copfdingly. HE is
very popular In Spokane and has great
future, I think And Blippf' said. She
did not hear me.
"That night went to the theater, and
from quiet corner, safe from observation,
looked down upon Percival Blipp seated
beside Miss Silvey, glowing with happiness.
stumbled upon Spinks as went out. He
gloWered upon me and strode on.
"I caught an early train for Atlanta next
morning. My interest in this three cor.
nered love affair had become SO great that.
was half tempted to stay and see the out
come. heartily regretted to lose sight OF
the three young people altogether.
thought Of the hotel clerk. He was nice
young man and seemed to know his busi
ness. I started to tell him about the af
fair, but he gave me knowing wink. i
know he said And will you write me
how it comes out" asked He nodded.
" have pictured hundred different ends
TO the affair. Once ! even pictured to my
self the possibility OF my becoming a wild
over and marrying Miss Silvey. Then !
saw her marry another fellow. But the
termination that suited me best was the
one In which Percival Blipp married her.
my speoulatiops were ended this morn.
Ing by the receipt OF this letter:
HOTEL ALPHARErTA, Chicago.
B. Hornady,
DEAR sR-1n accordance with your request,
I 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 ssme place. w.
Spinks leaves today, trunk checked for New
York. Your obedient servant, E. JENKINs
Atlanta Constitution.
Shines Through Metal.