Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-11-28

What did You get from that girl?"
asked Mr.. Callaghan in a rather pre-
occupied manner.
Jaw, nothing from her that was
worth anything-nothing but little
note. What did you get?"
This" said Mr.. Callaghan, holding
/ up to the light solitaire ring.
Great guns" said the astonished
| Rabbit.
Let me see that letter." Callaghan
said abruptly. The Rabbit handed it
to him. 1t was a note, written in
mans strong hand, and read as fol-
| lows:
! NELL hand you this in your box
because l cannot wait any longer. Ten
years ago tonight I asked you to marry
me. Your parents have never con-
sented in all that time, and they
never will. Do you love me enough
to marry without their consent? II
you do, hand me your solitaire ring.
I will come round at the close and
take you to your carriage. You can
give it to me then. If you do not love
me enough to do this, l will know
what you mean, and l will start for
the continent tomorrow, never to come
back. Jack"
Mr.. Callaghan was silent.
Well" said the Rabbit, we've made
a pretty good haul tonight, haven't
WEI"
yes, and we've broken a mans
heart" said Mr.. Callaghan.
What's that" asked the Rabbit,
unconcerned.
THAT girl was giving this ring to
the fellow with the pale face. 1t was
telling him she was willing to marry
him, whether the old folks were will
ing or not, just as Molly is going to
marry me. Now he's going off with a
broken heart, just the way I'd have
done if Molly hadn't consented"
Very early the next morning Mr.
Callaghan stood at the door of GER
tain jewelry establishment that is
known all over the world. He was
just beginning to get sleepy, for 1t
was about his usual bedtime.
Callaghan's proverbial good luck, to
say nothing of his good judgment, did
not desert him. He had picked out
the right establishment, and ten min
utes after it had opened it's doors Mr..
Callaghan was racing up Bond street
in a cab. The driver stopped at
fashionable boarding house, and Mr..
Callaghan, jumping out, ran up the
stairs to the third floor.
Out of breath and with a lump in his
throat, from the fear of being too late
after ALL he pounded on the door in no
gentle manner. A voice told him to
come in" He did so.
well, what do you want?" asked
the palefaced man.
AN invitation to your wedding"
said Mr.. Callaghan.
The pale-faced fellow looked up
from the trunk he was packing and
mildly inquired if Mr.. Callaghan was
crazy. Mr. Callaghan held the ring
loft, as he had seen the actors do
with similar things in the theaters,
and said, Behold your ring!"
How did you get that ring?" asked
the other, his pale face becoming sud
denly flushed.
stole it," said Mr.. Callaghan,
promptly; stole it as she was trying
to hand it to you. The fact is, she
thought my hand was yours. have
rather fine looking hand myself, I've
been told"
WHAT" asked the other, in aston
ishment
ITS fact" said Mr.. Callaghan, l
stole it just as | said | did. Wanted
something to remember her by, she
looked so pretty. Don't blame you for
loving her, not a bit. I'm in love my
self, and fancy pretty girls a great
deal.
Luckily for you, my side partner
nabbed your note out of her pocket at
the same time Wouldn't spoil your
happiness for anything in the world.
| hunted round and found out who
you were and where you lived Here |
am, Mr.. Callaghan, at your service,
and here's your ring"
Mr. Callaghan," he said, you are
an angel"
"They don't seem to think so down
at Bow street." replied Mr. Callaghan,
modestly.-London News.