Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-04-13
l offered him a pipe, and he declined

/ "' L 'oiu uim uy CikuTb were OUT,
| ut doesn't make any difference" he
said. "I'd rather not smoke. game
here to ask you some things about the
Burkes
! The Lord only knows how looked
at him as he hesitated for moment
81 have seen enough of them he
went on. "to believe that they are per-
fectly respectable people---otherwise I
would not have taken lodging there
You and | are old friends. and you will
take away even the slight doubt there
is in my mind, Are they perfectly re-.
spectacle y
Somehow or other l managed to nod
my head, but his presumption was par
alyziug me.
"Thank you again." he proceeded.
"The reason that asked you is that I
am going to marry Edith"
It took me couple Of minutes to
master my emotions, Blu: am proud to
say did it. My reply was cool--al-
most chilly.
"Indeed |" I said "Has she accept
ed your
No, because | haven't proposed yet,
| have given the matter good deal of
thought, but before | took so serious II
step in my life wanted some such wise
old head as yours to advise me. Now
[ am happy, and we'll get married at
once"
He shook hands with me, and the old
idiot didn't notice that l failed to re-
spond. At the door managed to ask
him this question:
"What makes you believe she'll have
you ?"
He seemed astonished.
"Have mel" he repeated. "Why,
she's been after me ever since she knew
me. I'll settle it tomorrow evening"
AS he turned the stairs | noticed that
he had on suit of new clothes, u white
vest and red necktie. He said some
thing about feeling like school boy,
and | rushed back to my room more
affronted than | had ever been before in
my life. can always think best when
| ain in bed, and so undressed and got
under covers very quickly. When
had thought diligently for an hour,
turned over and said this to myself:
1.-The old fat beast The idea of her
marrying him ! I'll propose myself to
her tomorrow morning. She has been
expecting it, know, for long time "
II didn't sleep very we'll and arose
little after 7 o'clock. 1t took mo an
hour to dress myself. aud having no APP
petite for breakfast only drank cup
of strong coffee. then walked nearly
a mile before had decided what I'd say
and was barely satisfied with the result
Edith was the sort Of girl to be par.
ticular about such things, and [ wanted
to please her fancy.
Mrs Burke came to the door and was
just as much surprised to see me MS
thought sho would be.
at was very good Of you to conc 10
soon," she said, "and l didn't think you
knew it yet"
"Knew what 2" said I.
She pulled me inside the hall and
looked at me, half smiling and half tenr-
full.
"Didn't you come Electromagnetic
ate anyDouy
Then sat down on the hat-rack and
shook my head | felt that il was all
over, and that old Browne had wop, and
never in my life did | suffer so much
misery in so small space Of timo
Then" said Mrs. Burke, al am glad
% be able to inform you myself. Edith
md Bob are engaged to be married"
arose and sat down again. thought
If many things, but only one sentence
struggled through my lips.
'Does does old Browne know about
{ 2" | asked
''Oh, yes, but it won't interest him.
Before he went down town this morn
ng he told me that he would have to
give up bis room on account Of tho sun
shining in it too brightly in the moru-
ng. I'm going to turn the whole house
now over to Edith"