The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-12-13

MS iiIcN Use Nos ton. he feared she might
fancy il was too insecure TO render him
eligible; bat II he could see her. be
fattered himself that the charm of his
conversation and personal presence
would dazzle her and divert her atten.
tion from his less pronounced monetary
qualifications. He signed his own
name: IT Cottle." because, If the nego.
tiations came TO anything. il might
shake her confidence when he had 10
acknowledge that he had approached
her under false name; at the same
time. as She had withheld her surname
and address, he felt justified in request
ing her to direct her reply, in the first
instance, TO The post Office in Bayswater
Road. to be left till called for
Il can look in for il the next time |
go TO see uncle" he reflected. If it
turns out frost, needn't tell Merrows
anything; he'd only grin about it. I'll
get the letter off before he gets in"
And he ran out and posted it at once.
He half regretted his impetuosity
when he contemplated what he had
done in the cold light of the next
morning.
Nevertheless. a couple OF evenings
later he journeyed 20 Bayswater and in
quired at the post Office for his letter.
but il hadn't arrived, so he walked on
to see Uncle Cottle, but as his uncle
was not at home, he told them to say
that he had called, and wouldn't wait.
His interest in his rash matrimonial
project had cooled considerably; but
going to see his uncle on the following
saturday afternoon, he inquired cas-
uaIly at the post Office again, and was
not altogether displeased that there
was still no letter for him. He decided
that his epistle had not created a salts
factory impression, and that he should
hear no more OF it.
Turning the corner little beyond the
post office, he was surprised to run into
Uncle Cottle, gorgeous in a new white
waistcoat and with flower in his but
tonhole.
Tim, my boy" he calculated, 1--WE
been expecting you daily. Sorry I was
Ont when you called last-I was out on
particular business"
oh"
Tim had dim premonitions of disas-
ter: he upbraided himself for neglect
ing the affairs of Miss Holt.
'Ic-."
Uncle Cottle winked his left eye and
smacked his nephew on the shoulder
exuberantly.
Il was arranging TO get married"
TO Miss llolt?' faltered Tim.
NO" laughed Uncle Cot.le. You'll
never guess. It's the widow-Mrs. Net
ley. You remember, we wrote to her?
She answered my letter that evening.
an hour before you called"
Tim was too confused to grasp what
he heard.
But you said" he stammered, that
il Miss Holt rejected you you'd know
there was curse on you, and"
Il haven't asked Miss Holt-besides.
it's three months since wrote to the
widow. so, in any case, she has a sort
of prior claim over the"
The other curse" suggested Tim,
bitterly.
Heres her letter." said Uncle Cottle,
disregarding his Interpolation. "Read
it for yourself"
DEAR SIR: II you care to call on me I
shall be pleased to see you. l regret you
did not give me your own address, as |
should have thought It implied either a
want Of confidence in me or ca Sor in your.
self. had 1t not been that W re almost
neighbors, and had the pleasNe of meet
ing you few months ago. and know you
by reputation. Under the circumstances
you Will appreciate my preferring to send
this TO your private address, which have
taken from the directory. Yours truly.
MAUD NETLEY."
That's all right, Tim, amt it?"
chuckled Uncle Cottle.
Tim realized in a fash that this was
his Maud" and it was his letter she
was answering, not his uncle's; but he
could not see his way to saying so.
What does she mean about your adj
dress?" he said.
Why, | was nervous when | wrote
that letter, and | must have forgotten
to put my address in; that's why she
didn't answer before; she couldn't.
And IT'S just occurred to her to look in
the directory. See? | meant to have
asked her about it, but she was so nice
and amiable and smiling, and was 50
-so-well, | hardly know how | was
but there didn't seem any need to apollo
gize, and. in fact, Inever thought about
it till was coming away"
rs she young?" asked Tim, for the
sake of saying something.
81 thought at first she was nearly 40.
but she's only 29-she told me so her.
self. showed her my bank book and a
list of my securities.
"'Oh, that's all right she says laugh.
ing.
Then when's it to be-? says |.
And it's going to be next month"
Next"
Month. I'm going around to the
wears now to put up the banns-you
come with me. And, sayl she's an
orphan, so we want you, my boy-age
don't matter; it's only matter Of form
to be father to her at the wedding,
and give heraway."
Tim was gloomy and reckless, and
said he would. Why shouldn't he? He
had given away his prospects; he had
given away his uncle; he might just as
well do the thing thoroughly and give
away the widow as we'll; then he would
have nothing and nobody left to keep
ir Ailnself. -Tit-Bits.
The electric ear was running to the
exposition grounds at the rate of Is
.i1c.