Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-04-02
FROM JEST 10 EARNEST,

$50 you are! Now, look here
Dewey, let's have clear comprehen-
sion of the matter. Do you love Fanny
! Winter
4 "Well--yes-I rather think, on the
whole, that am little taken with the
sparkling brunette
"'A little takenr How very enthu.
siastic you are! And she. poor child,
is more than "a little taken with you. y
II fatter myself that you are RICH I.
well, then, why don't you ask her
to marry your"
There it is, groaned Dewey; you
are all in such hurry. Can't man
admire girl without being brought to
book for it the very next day? Iwon't
be hurried When get ready I'll
ask Fanny to marry me. Are you sat
isfed?"
"Very far from it"
"As Miss White is only your wife's
cousin, really don't recognize your
right to catechise mel"
docs that mean that am to mind
my own business?"
Ralph laughed. "Construc it as you
please-only pray don't bother me any
more"
He threw himself lazily on the grass,
finging his cigar into the very heart
OF cluster of wild flowers and maxi
ing an impromptu pillow of his arms,
crossed underneath his head.
sleep, then" said Trevor, a little
contemptuously 81 can't afford to
lose the brightest hours of golden
day like this "
Our hero had not lain there many
minutes, however, before the soft
chime Of girl voices sounded through
the tiny bugles of summer insects and
the monotonons murmur OF green
boughs overhead.
''Girls!' muttered Dewey; cant
fellow be clear of 'em anywhere? But
they're on the other side of the copse,
that's one blessing, and If keep quiet
they'll never beat up my ambush
They were on the other side of the
copse-three bright-faced girls in hut-
tering raiment.
.It's so delightfully."- cool here" said
Hiidegarde Aymer, a fair blonde, as
Saxon as her name.
.'And one can talk here, too" said
Mary Bell. AT the hotel one is never
certain of not being overheard"
Dewey gave silent chuckle at this.
Fanny White, leaning against the
twisted stem of the veteran wild grape
vine, devoted her whole attention to
her parasol handle.
She was the prettiest of the three,
with deep liquid brown eyes and hair
black as the blacklist jet, while her
skin, just touched with the creamy
tint that characterizes the creole,
glowed carmine on her cheek.
Fanny, do let me try!" said Hide
garde. 1T will be such splendid
joke, and your English adorer is SO
long In making up his mind"
"But-but what will Capt Aymer
think?.
Hell be delighted; men always
glory in a bit of mischief, and Kent is
such splendid actor"
DO, Fanny urged Mary Bell. ut
will be just for all the world like the
theater. Hildegarde's brother is to
pretend to be desperately in love with
you and you are to encourage his at
until that slow-moving Dewey
is brought to the point. How ! shall
enjoy the progress OF the situation"
But your brother must fully under
stand the scheme" said Fanny, hest
"Of course; shan't explain it to him
myself? There's not bit of harm in
t, and Mr.. Dewey certainly needs
,ome stimulus Now, do CONSENT Kate
will be here this very evening"
''She don't forbid it, Hildegarde,"
eagerly cried Miss Bell. ''and all the
world knows that silence gives con-
emit Come, see how long the shadows
re getting?'
And the three graces futtered down
he hillside.
Dewey rose to his feet and walked
way also.
MY dear little girls" said he, 10y
way OF souloquy, us very cleverly /,
oncocted little plan, but it won't
york, and I've no doubt shall enjoy
t as much as Miss Bell proposes to
o."
And he laughed aloud to think how
he should outgeneral his !
eminine adversaries.
IN keep Fan in suspense for an
Their month, just to pay her for that" !
e added, within himself II like the
irl well enough, but for all that !,
,on't be hurried into matrimony"
Knowing what he knew, therefore,
lr. Dewey was not at all surprised
hatevening when he walked into the
otel drawing-room to see stylish !.
Dung man in the uniform of captain
tting on the sofa and being very de-
oted to Miss White.
LET 'em work, " said Mr.. Dewey, and ;,
G sat down to play backgammon with !,
pretty little widow. Fannie watched q
i'm from beneath her eyelashes,
ut doesn't produce any effect at all =
pom him-the brute!" said Hildegarde, !,
no had expected to see the recreant
'ver brought to captivating terms at 8,
nee. a
"That's because we don't put it on
l. 1