The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-04-04

Was noDouN lneft.
What does this mean"
1T simply means. Mr.. Beaumont.
that you have asked me to marry you |
and have consented"
Il merely did so at your suggestion |
because"
Exactly: it was good for you to adopt |
my suggestion. l have accepted your
offer. and l hope that l shall not have
reason to regret it,"
Nonsense. Miss Nellie. You knew il
was only in jest. l like a good practi-
cal joke, but surely this one is little
undignified 1t was understood that
you would refuse"
Il made no such promise, Mr. Beau
mont"
why, Molly, dear, whatever is the
NATTER"
Don't come near me! I'll ne-never
forgive you. You are horrid, mean.
thing I'm packing up and go-going
away"
Now. don't be a Silly girl. What
have 1 done?"
You pro-promised to refuse him,
and then actually accepted him. You
treacherous creature! I'll never speak
to you again. To play such a vile trick
on me. How could you be so heart
less ?"
But saw you leave the room before
gave him my answer"
Il came back and listened outside the
door, heard you accept him, and then
rushed away"
MY dearest Molly, it was all a prac-
teal joke. / thought you were out of
hearing, and / was just teasing him.
am so sorry have hurt your feelings,
and will confess all. l have just been
hoaxing both of you"
How
Mr.. Beaumont never meant to pro-
pose to me-he loves you alone-but ne
went through the farce at my request.
He is waiting down stairs to see you.
So lbathe your eyes make yourself
pretty. and come down. l gave the
poor man quite a fright. but l am awful
| ~ penitent and he has forgiven me.
will tell you all about it. There-were
good friends again, aren't we?'
".
MY darling Molly, you have made me
SO happy"
But don't you feel a terrible bigamist
accepted by two women in the same
day."
1T was a cruel Jest In Nellie
Yet she meant no harm
Nevertheless, 1 should like to pay her
back in her own coin
Yes how can We manage it?'
Look, Molly! Here is Captain Dur
ston coming up the drive. We will pre-
tend that Nellie and l are engaged"
Delightful"
The captain entered and exchanged
greetings.
Have you heard the news, Captain
Durston." asked Molly.
What news?"
Nellie has accepted an offer of mar
rage"
YES; I am delighted to say I am
quite aware of it,"
Molly and Mr. Beaumont exchanged
chances.
why, who told you?'
''Ha. ha! Why, who in the world
should tell me but your cousin herself"
"Nellie impossible!
mot at all. l have just authorized
the announcement in the county pa
pers."
THE deuce you have" exclaimed Mr.
Beaumont. eXcitedly.
And why not. sir?'
"Sh-h! What is the matter? cried
Nellie, running into the room. Surely
you two gentlemen are not going tC
quarrel herev
Captain Durston states on your au
thority. Miss Nellie that you are en-
gagged to be married
1T is perfectly true. / believe l am
Molly threw herself into an easy chail
and began to sob and show signs of be
coming hysterical. Nellie and Durstol
, stood looking bewildered, while Beau
mont regarded Nellie with glance o
mingled surprise and contempt
Il thought" said Beaumont. "thi
farce was at an end. Miss Nellie"
Farce! What do you mean?"
Suddenly a smile broke over her face
! and she burst into peal of laughter
r AS soon as she was capable of speeci
she explained that she was privatel.
r engaged to Captain Durston three day
before, and that he had actually com
that afternoon to announce the fact. Sh
! also enlightened her future husban
t as to the cause of all the confusion.
Then everybody laughed everybod
congratulated everybody else, an
3 everybody was in the end supremel
D.. happy But three Of the company in
] sisted that Nellie was a wicked, med
- dlesome, mischievOus little thing, an
= that she would have to be kept well
s hand when she became Mrs. Durston.-
= New York Mercury.
e Had to Move.
"There was an Irishman," said a Blu
III I %