The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-22

na0 nao a mother 10 WnOm she Couil
have confided her trouble the whole
thing might have been put TO rights in
five minutes: but as things stood there
was every chance Of these two mis-
guided young people ending their days
In single blessedness.
After four or Ave days OF this kind Of
thing / came TO the conclusion ;ha- 1t
was desira bic for me TO do something
to help matters along a little. as any
thing would be better than the con-
tinua;ion Of the existing state of af-
fairs.
/ thought the matter over carefully
one night. as / smoked my usual after
dinner cigar. and by the lime / had
finished my weed l had decided upon
my pan Of campaign.
VIVA are your plans for tomorrow,
Gerald?" said /.
Il haven't any," replied my nephew
moodily.
Well. then. you might come with me
and leave a card at the Williards'; We
haven't been near the house since We
dined there last Wednesday"
I'm sick Of the whole farce OF social
intercourse; but I'm ready 10 do any
thing you ike Uncle Jack" said Ger
aid indifferently.
Gerald's was clearly a bad case.
/ rose from my comfortable chair.
put on my nat ana ONeFcoat, anu slIIH-
ed down TO the club.
1t really was a striking instance Of
self-sacrifice on the part Of an old
fogey; for / hadn't the slightest desire
TO go out that night.
When / arrived at the club | went
straight to the telephone cupboard and
rang up the Hotel Albemarle. Miss
Creswell was at home"
Gould she speak to Mr.. Stevens"
- -
with considerable anxiety. Presently
the little bell rang.
Miss Creswell will be at the tele-
phone in a minute"
/ had made up my mind TO attempt a
manoevure which required some little
finesse for the securing OF its success.
Presently Miss Amy's voice came
family along the wire: Yes; who is
it,"
rs that you, Amy?" / replied boldly.
Yes; who are your
Gerald Stevens" said /, with ment-
al reservations.
l fancied that / heard a little cxcia-
nation of pleased surprise, but wheth-
er this was so or not l could rot be
positively certain: however, the next
sentence which reached my ear through
the instrument was spoken in tones of
perfect u"ncOncern.
lid is II you nave ~ say ~ Law,
Mr.. Steevens?"
oh. Amy l replied. in the most be-
seeching tones l could muster. don't
speak to me like that; I've been so
miserable ever since we Quarreiled the
other night"
That only serves you right" came
clearly through the ear trumpet: but l
fancied that l caught two little words
in a much lower tone. that sounded
like Poor boy"
But, Amy / continued, don't be
SO cruel as to say that you won't for
give me. for it was only because | am
so FOND of you that l was SO rude the
other evening"
We'll, Gerald, you were rather hor-
rid, l think; but. if o will promise
never to be unkind to me again, l will
forgive o for this once"
Il PROMISE" sale /; but l wish we
could kiss and make friends"
That would hardly be proper, I'm
afraid; besides, you see, you could
only kiss my ear. which would noe be
very satisfactory, would it," And
how do / know that you are the only
person at your end of the wire?"
Il swear there's nobody except my
self" said | equivOcally; besides, you
might put the Jump to your lips
Il shall ring off if you say another
word.'
Don't do hat" / entreated; the
operator might intercept my message"
Well, then, you must not talk ron-
sense
Il was never more serious in my life"
/ replied; and, really, it was rather a
serious situation for an old bachelor
getting on for fifty to be talking non
sense at one end Of a wire with a
charming girl Of eighteen at the other.
Il shall be calling on the Williards
tomorrow afternoon" said /.
4 hope you will find your visit anus
ing"
1t shall if somebody else happens to
be there"
Somebody else will think it over,
perhaps, though it would serve another
somebody else right if she didn't."
But we are friends again now.
Amy" said l tenderly.
1T would serve you right il l said
No. Gerald, after the way you firted
with May Walshe the other night"
But you were just as bad with my
Uncle Jack" said L.
I'm afraid he's a dreadful old firt.
but he really is rather nice. Do you
think thai 1 could make him really
like me?' said Amy, laughing softly.
This is getting rather interesting"
thought /. but 1 only replied: Fox
shame! l won't have Uncle Jacks af-
fections tempered with"
Perhaps he likes it," suggesed Amy.
It's not good for him." said l.
Very few nice things are good Cor
one"
But people ought not to be tempted
to do things which are not good for
them"
Possibly he would not take quite
that view of the situation" said Miss
Amy demurely.
Now / come to think OF it," said !
refectively, perhaps he does not; but
1t is rather cruel OF you to experiment
with an old gentleman's susceptible
ties
Il will never do it again, Gerald; but
he's an old dear, and / think ne will
forgive me. Don't you?"
Possibly SAT- /, laughing
Tell me, Gerald. have ycu really
been unhappy because Of our little
tif?'
Miserable, And your"
IFS very vain OF you to ask that