Connecticut western news., 1896-08-06

undignified. It was understood that you would refuse. "
 II made no such promise, MT. Beau mont"
 "Why, Molly, deer, whatever is the matter?''
 Don't come near mel I'll ne-never forforgive you. Yoa are horrid, mean th-thing. I'm packing up and go-going away"
 "Now, don't be silly girl What have done?''
 "You pro-promised to refuse him, and then actually accepted him. You treach- erous creaturei I'll never speak to you again. To play such vile trick on me How could you be so heartless?"
 ''But saw you leave the room before gave him my answer.
 "I came back and listened outside the door-I heard you accept him, and then rushed away"
 My dearest Molly, it was all prac- tical joke. I thought you were out of hearing, and was just teasing him. I am so sorry I have hurt your feelings and will confess all l have been hoax ing both of you"
 "How?''
 "Mr. Beaumont never meant to pro- pose to me-he loves you alone-but he went through the farce at my request. He is waiting down stairs to see you. So bathe your eyes, make yourself pret- ", and come down. gave the poor man quite fright, but am awfully peni- tent and he has forgiven me. I will tell you all about it. There-we're good friends again, aren't wei"
 
 My darling Molly, you have made me so happy"
 amist-accepted by two women in the same day?'
 Ut was cruel jest of Nellie's.''
 "Yet she meant no harm"
 Nevertheless I should like to pay her back in her own coin. !"
 "Yes. How can we manage it?" Look, Molly Hero is Captain Ours ton coming up the drive. We will pre-. tend that Nellie and are engaged. D
 Delightful
 The captain entered and exchanged greetings.
 "Have you heard the news, Captain Durston?' said Molly.
 "What news?'' Nellie has accepted an offer of mar riage.''
 'Yes2 I am delighted to say am quite aware of it. " Molly and Mir. Beaumont exchanged glances. "Why, who told you?''
 "Ha, hal Who in the world should tell me but your cousin hersef?" Nellie? Impossiblep' 'Not at all. I have just authorized the announcement in the county news paper"
 1.-The deuce you have r exclaimed MT. Beaumont excitedly.
 "And why not. sir'' Because it is utterly false, sir. :" "Sh-hl What is the matter?" cried Nellie, running into the room. "Surely you two gentlemen are not going to quarrel here. Captain Durston states on your au- thority, Miss Nellie, that you are en- gagged to be married. ''It is perfectly true. Ibelieve I am. Molly threw herself into an easy chair and began to sob and show signs of be- coming hysterical Nellie and Durston stood looking bewildered, while Beau | mont regarded Nellie with glance of | mingled surprise and contempt. ''I thought" said Beaumont, "this | farce was at an end, Miss Nellie" Farce What do you mean?" Suddenly smile broke over her face, | and she burst into peal of laughter. | As soon as she was capable of speech she | explained that she was privately en- gagged to Captain Durston three days be- fore, and that he had actually come that afternoon to announce the fact. She also enlightened her future husband as to the cause of all the confusion.
 Then everybody laughed. everybody congratulated everybody else and every | body was in the end supremely happy. But three of the company insisted that | Nellie was a wicked. meddlesome. mis- chievous little thing, and that she would have to be kept we'll in hand when she became Mrs. Durston. Tit | Bits.