Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-03-27

hGd1ly, NC1ll0, L UO11Of0 JoA al v
nothing but a scheming little match
maker
"In this instance perhaps am. But
it is certainly very desirable match,
and YOU are both head over ears in love
with each other. -
/ SCI protest I don't love him a bit. "
'You don't know your own mind. y
"Oh, yes, I do. don't love him, and
I wouldn t marry him.
"Do you mean that?''
"Well, of course do. %
"Then I'll marry him myself. F"
"You?''
"Why not?''
"Oh, Of course it is nothing to me-"
"Quite SO.
"But I think it very mean Of you
very, very mean-not to have told me
that you cared for him.
CHOW, Molly. just listen. Mr.. Beau
mont, am sure, thinks you do not like
him and that you would refuse him if
he asked you to marry
fDo you think sop
"Yes. So I believe, from something
he dropped, that he is going to propose
to me this afternoon. How, if you slip
into the drawing room and hide behind
the SCREEN
'I shouldn't think Of doing any such
thing. The ideap'
''Do as toll you, dear, and you will
hear ne refuse him. I was only jesting
when 1 said I would marry Mr.. Beau
mont myself. y
'Then you are sure you don't love
him the least little bit, Nellie, dear?"
''Not in the least. You will hear me
tell him SO if you wait. -
"WeIl, Mr.. Beaumont, I have sound
ed my cousin, Molly
"And do you really think I may hope
for SUGGEST"
81 am sure Of it, She is very fond Of
you, but not yet fully aware Of the fact.
We women are curious creatures.
SIT was very good Of you to offer me
your advice and help
mot at all. We are very old friends.
Now, don'5 you be rash, CT you will
spoil everything. You must do exactly
as I tell you. You must come into the
drawing room aud propose to me.''
Propose TO you?''
Eyes, and mind you act the part
WE'LL
IT DOM understand you"
"Well, while you are proposing to
me, Molly will be behind the screen.
When she hears your protestations Of
love for NE, she will think she has lost
you and will discover the true state of
her heart. +"
"But, really, this seems rather
"Now, don t argue. Do just as tell
you. Come into the drawing room at
once, Or she will suspect collision.
Gone moment. Don't you think
"Not a word. I hear Molly coming
down stairs. I will sit here On this sofa.
When raise my hand, begin. Can you
tell me Of good novel, Mr.. Beaumont
"Well-er-it is rather a responsible
ity recommending novels to ladies now
adays. There are as many different
schools of readers as Of writer's.
f'But you know by this time my taste
in fiction"
"Not SO well, I am afraid, as I could
wish. Hem # you would-er-only let
me become your sole literary reader,
faster and adviser for life!"
81 am afraid I don It understand you,
Mr.. Beaumont. ="
"Canuot you guess what has brought
me here this afternoon. Let me be frank
with you. Oh, Nellie, we have been
friends low for a long time. Every yeal
you become dearer to me and more nee
essary for my happiness. Will you moi
become my wife? Speak, darling! Say
you consent. You cannot guess how
dong to have you always by my side,
Say yes, and make NE the happiest mar
in all the gyide world"
From whers she sat Nellie saw the
Huttes Of a light baue gown as it passed
quickly from behind the screen to the
open door. Molly had prematurely fed
Do not keep me in suspense he
went On. Say, viii you be my wife?'
she bent her head to hide an irresisti
pie smile.
Yes
air. Beaumont ieaped to his feet in
aInazement. Nellie did not speak 6
word. With a look of anger on his face
he stepped behind the screen. There was
nobody there.
What does this mean?'
1T simply means, Mr.. Beaumont,
that you have asked me to marry you,
ard have consented"
81 merely did SO at your suggestion
becaese'-
Exactly. and it was good Of you te
adept my suggestion. I have accepted
your offer, and hope I shall not have
reason to regret it. -
Nonsense, Miss Nellie! You knew
it was only in jest. I like good prac
teal joke, but surely this one is littls
undignifed. Il was understood that yor
would refuse
II made no such promise, MIR, Beau
mont. -
"Why, Molly, dear, whatever is thu
matter?"
"Don't come near me! I'll ne-neyel
for-forgive you. You are a horrid, meal
th-thing. I'm packing up and go-goint
away
''Now, don't be silly girl. VIVA
have dole?"
''You o-promised to refuse him, ant
then actually accepted him. You treach
erous creature! I'll never speak to yo1
again. To play such vile trick Oh me
How could you be SO heartless?''
''But saw you leave the room befor
I gave him my answer
II came back and listened outside tn
door, heard yen accept him, and the
rushed away"
my dearest Molly, it was ali prac
tical joke. 1 thought you were cut Q
hearing. and was just teasing him.
am SO sorry I have hurt Your feeling