The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-02
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TIE THO Mr.. AORIONS. I
I.

but as usual ended by going. I could
dance stag and take Dolly out and-iovely
fdea-perhape she would take me- out
Then az | thought of the way I had left
her the night before this beautiful hope
faded What would she want with a brute
like me?
never saw her look better than that
night OF the Terrys' dance: she was in
white. which best became her. and she
seemed to me like an angel And that fell
bow Morton looked pretty well. too. had
tn admit to myself that he was rather a
weIi-appearing chap
Mrs. Floyd Hopkins. who aspires to be
something OF a belle herself stood for a
moment and followed the direction Of my
glance.
Miss DairympIe Is looking particularly
well this evening" she said, a very gracious
speech indeed for her.
Very I replied. having sense enough,
left not to discuss Dolly with woman
But what awful fsirtr' she went en-.
This left me gasping. And engaged I
understand. TO Mr.. Morton all the time
who said to- asked hoarseIy. Dolly
engaged = and 10 that - cad - with my
name'
.soh. everybody says So" and then she
looked at me with suc.n an unpleasant
smile That's your name. too. isn't itg"
Yes. ! believe II H." / said, brilliantly.
moving away from her.
Dolly engaged I couldn't grasp the
full significance Of It: the thought left me
dazed and bewildered. This very night
should decide 1t. ! would go 20 her and
ask II there was any truth it. Just
then she came towards me "a IL she was
going 90 take me out. but something in
nay face must have stopped her.
What Is the matter?" she said, turn
ing little white.
Dolly I said sterniy. "wil you give
me the first two dances after SUPPER
''Of course. II you want them; but
won't you dance nowg" j never saw Dol
~ 80 meek before.
mo" I answered. almost roughly. mot
now. She left me with a strange look
on her sweet face
IL seemed centuries until supper; tried
TO think of what / should say TO her, but
my mind was In such a chaotic state that
decided to depend on the inspiration OF
the moment.
At last supper was over and ! found
her. tucked her arm in mine. and,
marching of 10 a quiet nook, put her In
the only seat. and stood accussngiy before
her.
Dolly" / began, look at me.'' This
she did. little timIdly. j thought. and |
almost forgot what / was going TO say
in the JOY of looking at her.
MY darling / went on. Il have loved
the course of years you might come TO
care"she dropped her eyes; just then
remembered that horrible gossip-"but to-
night Dolly | heard something that
turned my heart to stone
What was it?" she asked.
That you were engaged to"
''who7" breathlessly.
Morton" / gasped. that wretched,
caddish---''
.'SfopnF she said. with dignity.
"Tell me-you shail.' | grasped her
wrists. rs II so?'
If IL had been any woman in the world
but Dolly should have said she was en-
barrassed. She actually blushed.
No" she said. slowly. 1T is not so.
but" Her hands went up and covered
her face. Heavens. suppose she should
cry,
But what ?" / insisted. cruelty: you're
not engaged 10 him. but you're In love
with him?" She took her hands away.
and her face was very red; IL 1t had not
been such a serious moment should have
said she had been laughing.
Mr.. Morton has-never-asked me 10 be
his-wife: II he doesI shall
] was beside myself.
And If he does?" / Missed.
az shall say yes'-very softly. A ter
rible silence ensued: the earth was sink
ing beneath my feet
\
sharply.
And then the very queerest thing in the
world happened. DolIy's face whitened a
little as she rose and put out her hand
Yes. you old goose" she said. Il love
this Mr.. Norton
ft didn't take me long to gather Dolly
into my arms. The next five minutes are
not to appear In this narrative.
Dolly said |. blissfully. did you ever
know such n stupid old fcol as ann
Never In all my life said the sweet
est of girls. her voice coming from the
vicinity of my coat collar.
And do you suppose that woman meant
me when she told me that gossip, my
darlingg''
.Of course she-did.' said the voice
''and I'm glad she said IL; don't believe
you'd ever have asked me othefwisei'
My answer would not look well on paper.
"Do you know. Dick. that you never have
asked me before?
And when / came 10 think OF IL I never
had.-The Folks at Home.