The free press., 1897-02-18
forget If she-but the other possi-

her that evening and set his mind at
rest.
There is popular fallaoy that van
ity is the prerogative of woman ex-
clusively. Many hold that the soul
OF man is above such petty considora-
tions as dress and personal adornment.
Go tol Vanity bath no limitations or
sex. AS Mr.. Richard Hotaling care
fully accomplished his toiletthat even
ing, with frequent glances toward the
mirror, he thoroughly appreciated his
good points and valiantly strove to
make the most of them, in order to
look we'll in the eyes of her he loved.
After donning his dress suit, which
he loathed, as most men do, it oc-
Cured to him that he would feel
easier and consequently appear to bet
ter advantage in his Tuxedo. At
length, attired to his satisfaction, he
felt that he was not SO bad figure Of
man after all, and that a girl might
we'll be pleased OF course no one
ever really knows what fellow thinks
under such circumstances, and, all
things considered, it were unkind to
speculate. However, it was with
feeling akin to hope that he closed
the street door and went out into the
night.
He was ushered into the music
room, where he found her playing
dreamy melody of Chopin. She was
alone and very lovely in soft tur-
quoise Grape which brought out the
ruddy gold of her hair and the fair
ness of her skin to exquisite perfec-
tion. She heard him and turned
quickly, with bright smile saying, =
"How good of you to come tonight!
Mother and the boys have gone to the
opera, and 1 am alone for the even
ing.
II did not dream of being SO for
tunate," he murmured as he took her
hand.
In some way it did not sound exactly
right, but he was fast losing courage,
and hardly knew what he said. She
sank on low diyan, and as he took
tho place at her side he observed that
she was tantalizingly near to him. OF
course he would have given worlds to
take her in his arms at once and tell
her all that was in his heart, and have
done with suspense. He felt it would
be trihe irregular, however, and dis
missed the thought as he became more
at ease under the influence of her
smiling eyes. He endeavored repeated
ly to lead up to the point in question.
but in vain, for she was altogether
oblivious to the trend of his thoughts.
At length they spoke of tho opera of
the night before.
"To my mind" she said, "there is
nothing more exquisite than Romeo
and Juliet. The music is heavenly,
and the story, beautiful, mournfully
beautiful"
every story OF love is beautiful" !"
he said quickly.
Eyes, love is best OF all. 1t is per-
feet" she returned, with far-away
look in her eyer.
IT have a chance to go to Vienna ms
foreign correspondent, he began, pre-
cipitately, "but before l decide there
is story want to tell you.
She was still smiling, dreamily, but
turned to him with look of in
terest. Her silence gave him cour-
age; she seemed to await his next
words.
.sIt is story OF love, of my love for
you," he said desperately, taking her
hand.
She withdrew it quickly, with look
of lismay, seeing he was terribly in
earnest.
"Will you hear it?" he continued,
mistaking her consternation for coy
ness.
us it possible that you have not
heard that you did not receive my
note announcing
Announcing Wharf.-The demanded IN
amazement.
'sMy engagement to Morris Book
leigh" she replied with happy
smile.
he sailed for Havre the next Sat-
urday.
Departed Grazing