Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-06-10

source Of pleasure. 1t is SO silly, and
so very gratuitous."
But l assure you, my dear girl, that
I did not send the flowers" said john
ston, with desperate earnestness.
Gertie whistled, and Mrs. Wilkins
looked grave.
Really, Dick, this is too much. If
| you will insist in continuing to amuse
yourself in this way, it shall not be at
! my expense. When you think the joke
is exhausted, you can let me know"
With this Miss wilkins swept out of
the room; and Johnston feared by the
look ON her face that her anger would
not be easily appeased.
There was silence for some moments
why don't you own up?' said Ger
tie, as she followed her sister out of
| the room.
When she was left alone with him,
Mrs. wilkins appealed to Johnston
again.
Really. Richard" she said. with the
sort of kind severity one would eX-
tend TO fractions lunatic, II think it
| is pity that the evening should be
! spoiled in this way: especially when it
promised to be so pleasant Whatever
your reasons for this obstinacy may
he, is 1t worth while making us all un-
happyY
Poor Johnston looked dismal and des-
perate enough. The joke had evidently
lost it's point for him.
I fol I
stairs that-the mood has passed."
continued Mrs. wilkins.
THAT the mood has passed" 1t was
too much for poor Johnston's temper
Yes" he said. Say I'm awfully
sorry that | didn't admit at once that
| sent the flowers" This was strictly
true.
That's right" said Mrs. Wilkins
cheerfully, as she left the room
Johnston was sore and savage; but
he did not see why other peoples I'M
reasonableness should spoil his even
ing. If they We're so determined that
he had sent the flowers, he would con-
tradlct them no more.
Presently Miss Gwendoline reappaer-
ed. She had evidently determined to
overlook Johnston's perversity; and he
soon forgot his troubles. When that
peculiar degree of tenderness had been
reached which prompts lovers to ad-
dress each other in the third person.
Miss wilkins began playfully to i'm
prove the occasion.
And he won't be a silly boy any
more" Qnterlude) "And he won't
tell any more naughty stories?" (An-
other interlude. Say, 4 send the
flowers ATTEMPTED interlude., "No.
not till you've said it,
At this happy moment, and before
Johnston could reply, Gertie burst into
the room with the simple ejaculation:
Well"
She stood in the doorway regarding
poor Johnston with stern accusation i'm
her eye; and he quailed before that
glance, realizing instinctively that he
was 'in for it, again.
You really must not bounce abou.
the house like that, Gertie," said Miss
wilkins, with some irritation; "you
make one think that something dread.
full has happened. Whatever is the
matter?"
ASK him." said Gertie, pointing to
the miserable Johnston. who awaited
his tate with the fortitude of despair.
1T was a good joke, wasn't it?' con.
tinued the mistress of the situation
mo wonder You laughed so much.
what pretty pair of fools we must
have seemed. Gwenw
What do you mean?" asked Miss
wilkins. with rising impatence.
why. mean the flowers, of course"
Then allow me to tell YOU tha. we
have agreed to let that subject drop
once and for ALL"
"Oh, have wei" replied Gertie. TN
fortunately, there is someone at the
door who won't let it drop. The boy
is here again"
What boy?"
''1'he boy who brought the flowers"
"Well?"
He wants them back There's been
mistake. He ought to have left them
at No. instead of No. 10"
Conscious of the Indignation kind.
ling III his sweetheart's eyes. Johnston.
I with the Inspiration of despair, saw
! that there was only one course possi-
ble to save the situation.
lie burst into as plausible an afrecta-
ton of hearty laughter as his nervous
+ hess would permit. The ladies looked
mystihed, but unrelenting.
q BE good enough to explain your
. self" said Miss wilkins.
. Its awfully funny, isn't it?" said