The herald., 1896-06-12
HIS COURTSHIP.


"No, Algernon, cannot accompany
you to the matinee tomorrow. Deeply a.
1t pains me, must declinc."
The girl stood before him q vision Of
queenly beauty as she uttered these words,
and the stately, deliberate manner in
which she mastioated a large wad of gum
told him palmer than words that her de-
piston was irrevocable.
Algernon Dranekegg's face rapidly &C.
quired the we'll known ashen pallor so
much used and he would gladly have
leaned on the mantel for support as Is
customary in such cases, but hasty
glance showed dsarth Of mantels and he
discreetly remained in perpendicular po-
sition. Changing his weight to the other
foot In order to case a large, healthy corn
that was entering vigorous protest against
being oooped up in a tootbpick shoe, the
young man said in husky voice:
What is the matter, Phyllisf Surely
have not offended you that you should
change your mind so suddenly. When I
left you at 1:16 this morning you were
blithe and happy and now you lpok wear
led. What can have happened to you, my
little girlf"
And Algernon drew the fair young crea-
ture to his side, and gently laying her
head upon his shoulder poked her cold
nose into his ear.
Phyllis Billflnger broke away from him
almost feroely as she said In q a.heartbroken
voice, "Do not ask me, Algernon, for I
cannot tell you."
"Please tell me, Phyllis" A spasm of
pain convulsed her features and AlgernoE-
feared for q moment that she had swal-
lowed the gum, but an instant later the
fair girls jaws moved on with the same
slow, rhythmic grace and she replied:
"Algernon, love you as we'll as I did
at quarter past this morning; let that
suffice for my answer
"But Insist, Phyllis" said the young
man, a medium shade Of annoyance pass.
ing over his face In q northwesterly direo-
tion.
The girl shook her head.
"Phyllis he said sternly, "there should
be no secrets between u.s."
"Algernon," said the young girl, with
tho look of q person who has sudden in
spiration, "if you insist, will tell you.
Mother fell this morning and broke her
knee cap, and have got to do the Joneses'
washing tomorrow or ma will lose her
position. know 1t is all over between
u.s." she went on, "but sometimes when
in your splendid home think of poor Phyl-
lis
Algernon Dranekegg drew up his superb
form to its full height as the girl uttered
these humiliating words, and Phyllis Bill
finger was sure she could detect look of
scorn in the handsome eyes.
His words drove the last remnant Of
horo Fvov,, hov hoo rt xuha, ho cold in ho
tone of man who has been caught on the
wrong side Of the market and covered in
time to save himself:
81 am sorry for your mothers misfor-
tune, Miss Billfinger, but I have an en-
gagement at the club this evening, where
we have banquet, and II you will kindly
hasty exit.
Unfortunately for Phyllis, the "look Of
dumb misery and ''shrill CRY Of anguish"
were both locked up in her trunk. SO she
had to depend entirely upon small sized
"low moan Of agony" She fred that at
Algernon when she fell in a heap on the
floor, just as his coattails went through
the door, but 1t was too small and only
later our heroine was comfortably seated
On Uuo WOOubOA Ill Ouo AAeoAOASs AAuAohAh8
q cracker and slipping CUP Of warm tea,
while she soltloquized:
"That settles the Lady Clare racket. I
don't try that any more; it's n. g. only in
books. Thought had him sure-would
II ma hadn't hurt her leg. Must be we'll
of, too, always talking about his club.
Well, ma has got to pay 30 cents for tho
use Of this dress. Heigh ho! Just my
luck!"
Meanwhile Algernon Dranekegg was
hurrying down street in spite Of his corn.
He soon slacksned his pace, however, and,
fishing stub of cigar from his pocket,
lighted it and proceeded in q more leisurely
manner, musing to himself:
''Darn the luck! thought they were
we'll fxed by the way she talked. Queer
coincidence too. Her mother washes for
the Joneses, and my old lady washes for the
Browns. Sorryl Thought I had found
somebody to support me. Well. I'll have
to fall back on mother. She Is all right,
only she is getting old and can't work like
she used to. She kicked on paying for the
use of this suit of clothes tonight. IN
just run round to Foley's and hit free
lunch and go home. "-Exohange.