The morning times., 1896-02-02
Nj ischieuous NJ afchmaker

ment. Nellie did not speak word. With
a look OF anger on his face, he stepped he
hind the screen. There was nobody there.
what does this mcan?''
ut simply means. Mr.. beaumont. that you
have asked me 10 marry you and have
consented.
Il merely did So nj your suggestion. he
cansc--"
Exactly: and it was good OF you TO adopt
my suggestion. have expected your cfier,
AMI hope shall not have reason TO re-
Eret it
..Nonsensc, Miss Nellie, You knew it was
only in Jest. I like "A good practical joke,
but surely this one i Il little undirniIi,d.
1t was understood that YOU would refuse"
Il made no such promise. Mr. Beaumont"
why. Mollie. dear. whatever is the mat
tcr?'
= Don't come near me, I'll ne-ncver fer
forgive you. You are a horrid, mean
tt-,hing. I'm packing up and se-eoing
away"
Vow. don't he a silly girl. What have l
done:''
You ropromiscd to refuse him. a nj then
actually accepted him. You trcacherous
creature. I'll never speak tu you again.
7" play sucn vile trick on me! How could
You be so heartless?"
But saw You leave the room before l
gave him my answer"
Il came back and listened outside the
door-I heard you accept him. and then
rushed away"
" Al N,.IlV all a
joke. j thought you were out OF hearing,
and | was just teasing him. am So sorry
have hurt your feelings, and will confess
all. I have been huaXinG both of you.''
How"
Mr.. Beaumont never meant To propose
to mc-he loves YOU alone-but he went
through the farce at my request. II" is wait
ing downstairs to see you. So bathe your
eyes, make yourself pretty. and come down.
i gave the poor man quite a fright, hut /
was awfuily penitent. and he has forgiven
me- l will tell you all about It. There
we're good friends again, aren't we?''
My darling Molly, YOU have made me so
happy"
But don't you feel terrible bigamist-
accepted by two women in the same day?''
at was Il cruel jest "f Nellie's."
Yet she meant mo- harm
Nevertheless, should like to pay her
back III her own coin"
Yes: how can we manage it,
Look. Molly, Here is Capt. Durstnn
coming up the drive. We will pretend that
Nellie and are engaged"
"Delightfulr'
The captain entered and exchan ged
greetings.
Have you heard the news, Capt. Dur
ston?" said Molly.
What news?''
Nellie has accepted an offer OF mar
riage.''
Yes; am delighted to say am quite
aware of it,
Molly and Mr.. Beaumont exchanged
glances.
Why, who told you"''
''Ha! ha! Who in the world should tel
me but your cousin hcrself?''
Nellie: Impossible!'
Not at all. l have Just authorized the
announcement in the county newspaper"
The deuce You haver' exclaimed Mr.
Beaumont, eXcitedly.
And why not. sr"''
Because il is utterly false, sir
"Sh-h, What is the natter cried Nellie.
running into the room. surely You two
gentlemen are not going TO quarrel here"
Capt. Durston states on your authority.
Miss Nellie. that you are going to be mar
ried.''
1T is perfectly true. believe ! am
Molly threw herself into an easy chair
and began to sob and to show signs of be
coming hysterical Nellie and Durston stood
looking bewildered. while Beaumont re-
garded Nellie with a glance of mingled sur
prise and contempt.
Il thought" said Beaumont, this farce
was at 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 engaged
to Capt. Durston three days before, and
that he had actually come that afternoon
to announce the fact. She also enlightened
her future hus sband as to the cause of all the
confus ion.
Then everybody laughed, everybody con.
graduated everybody else, and every
body was in the end supremely happy. But
three of the company insisted that Nellie
was a wicked, meddesome, mischevous
little thing, and that she would have to be
kept well in hand when she became Mrs.
Durston.-Tit- Bits.