, 1897-04-23
AN ENGAGEMENT.

was a reason in asking me to call this
afternoon"
"Well, yes" she replied in a hest
tating tone. Something has happened,
and
She paused. Somehow I did not feel
particularly eager to hear the news.
"The fact is, - she continued hurried
ly, 81 didn't want you to hear it from
any one else and think me mean. SOL
1T does not give promise" 1 inter
rupted, ''of being intelligence that will
make me dcliriously happy"
ITS charming she cried, land you
must be very pleased! I'm going to DO
engaged"
"How jolly!' l remarked presently.
l required only a few seconds 10 appre-
ciate the information.
Gwen stirred her tea in a meditative
manner.
YES, it's very NICE she said. at
is not to be announced until tomorrow
to the world at large, but to you, as an
old friend''-
I looked at Gwen. Her eyes were still
contemplating her tea. Eyes, l suppose
l am m old FRIEND" replied dryly.
Then screwed up my courage ana said:
"Well, who is hep
She blushed. l thought she was look
ing remarkably pretty.
"Loycester, " she said softly.
"Ah," l exclaimed, as if the whole
mystery had been solved, "a title!'
Gwen gave a nervous little laugh.
Lord Lcycester is very nice. Don't you
think so:"
There's no harm i'll LEICESTER"
replied. He's only stupid"
She shot III indignant glance at me.
81 think he's very nice, " she said,
attempting to impart an air of convic-
tor 10 her tona.
"You don't seem to be very positive
on the point. 1t is all very sudden" 1
added. Il have not heard even a whis-
per-"
Gwen looked rather embarrassed.
at happened last night" she began.
'At the duchess dancc?'
The duchess was Leyccster's mother,
IN awe inspiring parsonage.
Yes" she replied. You see, moth
Err
NJ quite comprehend" broke in.
"Your mother and the duchess have
been lunching together lately. Heaven
has not a Monopoly in the making of
marriages"
1t was ri%diculously simple. Gwen
was an heiress, Mrs. Beresford was am
bilious, and the Leycestcr family deriv-
ed their income from Irish estatcs-a
derivation that was every year growing
more f~anciful III its results.
"It's a pity" began Gwen, toying
with u lace handkerchief, chat
II haven't a title? Exactly 1 said.
rather brusquely.
She appeared not to have heard the
remark.
AT one time Gwen and I had seen a
lot of one another, and l felt that an
other straw in my favor would rave
brought the matter to Il happy tcrmina;
ton. However, it was not to be, and
now Mrs. BerCsford had taken the nat
ter into her own hands, and Gwen had
probably beeu allowing her tongue to
trip lovingly over the pretty name of
Lady Gwcndoline LEICESTER until the
present arrangement had been arrived at.
Il suppose" she,said, thinking it adj
visable to change the subject, 81 shall
see you tomorrow at the Fenwickes'?"
Eyes" | said. And now l must be
going added, lingering for a mo-
ment, hat in hand. II have to see a
physician"
II thought you We're never ill?' she
said a~nxiously. "What is itY'
IAN incipicnt attack of profound
~melancholin, replied as I ook my de-
parture.
1 went home to dinner and afterward
,strolled round to the club, thinking that
smoking room gossip would be pleasant
er than my own reflections. l spent the
remainder of the evening there, and it
was striking ~ when l stood on the
steps, contemplating whether I should
walk or ride back.
"Going home, Tcmple?" said a voice.
I turned. 1t was young Leycester.
I'm your way, if you're walking
he continued.
EYES," l said, md he linked his arm
within mine. He commenced to talk
about himself, being quite young.
I'm an awful fool, Temple" he said
presently.
l glance Mt the fair. boyish looking
face and mentally agreed with him.
1--WE come a frightful cropper," he
continued.
IF you will play baccarat with cap
tains' who have forgotten the name OF
their regiments" l remarked, "you
must expect to come choppers"
"And l dare not tell the duchess, he
exclaimed. ''She has advanced me all
she can spare already. l don't know
where to raise another penny. and l
shall be sold up!'
1 began to think of Gwen.
1.-THE worst of it is" he went on,
"the duchess has arranged a marriage
with n pretty little heiress. The engage
ment is to be announced tomorrow, and
I shan't be able to carry the thing
through. / haven't even the money to
buy a ring!'
"Do you wish to marry?"I asked
quietly.
NO." he said impatiently. "She is
a nice enough girl but it is not in my
line. What am / to do! The duchess
will simply eat me when she finds out
the true state of affairs, and if I can't
make some sort of n settlement by to
morrow l shall have to bolt. It's q COM.
Portable position to be in" he concluded
dismally.
I reflected. Gwen would not marry
me even if this precious yo1ng idiot