The Forrest City times., 1895-08-23

A~ aetly bad-tempered, always insisted upon having her own way.
 l now seemed to be in new world. My boots bore a brilliant luster each morning without my aid. and my slip pers were laid ready for me in the evening, and, as for lending me a nee- dle and cotton-the idea!-if I would only leave them outside they would only be too happy.
 no longer needed to seek relaxa- tion at the club after the labors of the day. Julia played the piano we'll Cher only accomplishment), while Annie sang divinely, and thus the evenings passed altogether too quickly. Male acquaintances they did not seem to possess-yet, stay, there was one-a MT. Malcolm, whose name I frequently heard mentioned, but as his calls were always made in the daytime I never saw him. l had rapidly passed into that condition of mind which raised feeling of jealousy on his account, so one day l questioned my landlady on the subject
 "Oh, he's very old friend of ours. Once we thought he would have pro- posed to Julia, but nothing came of it."
 What relief! Only Julial
 So time went pleasantly on. and then-how can I can confess it?-my lifelong creed was thrown to the winds, my proud ambition humbled in the dust, and became a willing slave to the sex 1 had so long despised and ignored. My only thought now was how and in what words I should be- seech my darling Annie to become my wife. Time after time 1 was on the point of speaking, but Julia always turned up at the critical moment
 One evening Julia announced that a week thence she had an engagement to play at concert. Then burst upon me brilliant inspiration. I pur- chased two stall tickets for the Ly- ceum for that same evezing; and, making pretense that I had them given to me, 1 persuaded Annie to promise to accompany me. This time Julia would not be able to intrude, and should know my fate. In two months time 1 should be taking my summer holiday, which would fit in ltus nicely for the honeymoon.
 On the eventful day hastened home ward with queer futtering in my heart and fower-spray for Annie in my hat Julia opened the door. and hardly permitted me to enter before she informed me that Annie had been out in the hot sun and had been obliged to go to bed with a very bad sick headache. My futtering heart gave one huge bound and then seemed to stand still. However, to disguise my feelings I said:
 Il am sorry; and you have to play at the concert?"
 ''No," she replied, ''the concert has been postponed"
 Then may I beg the pleasure of your company? I did not ask you be- fore because of the concert engage ment."
 Thanks. shall enjoy it immense ly."
 What miserable failure that even- ing proved to be. do not even know what the play was called. was think ing all the time of my poor sick darling, and not of the acting or the woman who sat by my side wearing the flower spray that was meant for Annie.
 The words were still unspoken when my holidays arrived, and tearing my self away from the two sisters, who stood at the gate and waved their handkerchiefs as long as I remained in sight, it was with no feelings of joyful anticipation that I betook myself to Hastings for rest and recreation.
 Rest! Where could l find it? Not on the parade or pier, amid hundreds of couples promenading, as had pie tured Annie and myself doing; not on the beach, where the Ethiopian musi- clans were eternally playing Annie Laurie" Sweet Annie Rooney" and Annie, Dear, I'm Called Away"
 For whole week I wandered aim- lessly hither and thither. Then could stand it no longer. So wrote a long letter commencing Darling" and pouring out the impassioned, pent-up love that comes but once in mans lifetime. 1 besought and beseeched her to take rity upon me. or my life less body should surge in the pillows :hat beat relentlessly on the rocks of Beachy Head.
 When l had finished 1 happened to catch sight of photograph which I had purchased .he previous day. repre- senting one of the yachts preparing to start on her morning trip, with my own figure in prominent position in the bows.
 "Ah!" thought I, "rll send that to .Iulia n