The Yale expositor., 1895-04-05

fortunate as to everhear when You
were in the orchard yesterday. Know
thst 1t is fully returned; and have
conc TO beg that you will name the
happy day that will make you all my
own"
Miss Larcom suddenly put her hand
kerchief To her face, probably to hide
her bushes or the blissful emotion
called forth by this avowal. When
she removed II her mouth was dimp-
ling with smiles and her eyes dancing
with merriment.
Il think l understand yen, Mr.. Bitz-
addle; you seem, In this instance, to
have reversed the old adage, that list
eners never hear any good of them
selves But there Is uncles step In
the hall, and | have no tins to say
more. Come tomorrow evening about
the same hour, and you shall have
your answer"
Half an hour later Philip Austin was
in the same room, listening to Flora's
laughing account of the above men-
toned visit.
"rhe long-eared donkeyw he ex-
claimed, as she conclrded; he told me
the same story. Only sound pun
melting will take the conceit out of
him, and l have half a mind to give
him one"
mo, Philip" said Flora, '1eave him
to me. / told him to come for his
answer tomorrow evening, and which,
l think, will be more effectual in
taking the conceit out OF him, as you
call 1t, and the process you mention
Philip kissed the sweet Fps that
were in such tempting proximity to his
own.
II shouldn't wonder II you We're
right, darling. Any way, think that
It will be an answer satisfactory to
mer'
When Fitzaddle reached Mr.. Lar
CONS the next evening, lie was shown
into the back parlor; the folding doors
between II and thu front paIlor being
closed-a rather unusual circumstance.
He found, to his surprise, quite n
number of people assembled, all of
them discussing some wedding, In
which they seemed to be deeply inter-
ested.
Whose wedding?' he inquired of ON
acquaintance, who accosted him.
Miss Larcom's, to be sure" said
the individual addressed, with a look
OF surprise.
Fitzaddle's heart flutte-ed. The idea
that Flora could marry any one else
never entered his silly brain. No. it
was a joyful surprise that she had
planned for him. If he had only
thought to have worn his light-colOred
vest and white gloves!
AS he stood wondering If there would
not be time for him TO slip back to
the hotel and supply the omission, the
folding doors were opened, disclosing
n little group at the farther end of the
room. in the center of which stood
Philip Austin and Flora Larcom; the
pure, spotless robes Of the latter, the
soft, filmy vail that floated around the
form, giving a new and solemn beauty
to the sweet young face.
The group around them parted and
stood upon either side, as a grave-look-
ing man in black stepped forward.
The brief but impressive ceremony,
over, friends pressed eagerly forward
TO congratulate the happy pair, but
FitZaddle was not among them; he
stood motiOnless. too much bewildered
and taken by surprise to know whether
he was awake or dreaming.
"iPOn my word. 1 don't understand
It," he said as Philip. plying the for
lorI appearance Of the little coXcomb.
came forward and spoke 10 him; she
declared she loved me, and mar.es
youY'
MY dear fellow" said Philip. too
happy 10 feel other than amused ut
this exhibition of mental obtuseness,
don't you know that women and
dreams always 60 by contrarles? When
they say one thing they always mean
another"
And with this explanation FitZaddle
was obliged to content himself.