The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-11-19

reiterated Mr.. SllVefman. because
in the former case we should esteem it
q favor to supply the silver and table
ware"
I muttered some not particularly =,
complimentary answer, and went out l
of the shop, closing the door behind
me with some emphasis.
"Going to be married, eh, old chap?"
said Bill West, stockbroker, familiar
" thrusting his elbow into my side,
| as [ strolled into Gatti's for my lunch
that day.
"No!' said I, taking up the bill of
fare
ooh, come, don't deny the soft i'm
peachmeut, said West, with wink.
what has put such an idea as that
into your head?" demanded l, some
what Indignantly.
"And her names Helen" said West,
with an idiotic giggle.
At this stage pretended to see
some one whom l knew at an opposite
table, and bolted across the room.
Old Mr.. Jessup was trottlng across
HYDE Park when I Unexpectedly came
face to face with him.
"Hello!" said Mr.. Jessup, turning
upon me the moony glare Of two spec
l tacled eyes. whats this I hear
9 about you, nv dear young friend? Ac-
: cept my congratulations. Matrimony
: is always q blessed condition, and"
ooh. yes; I don't doubt it," hur-
s riedly interrupted, "but-a-there's
some mistake about it -;
e "Ariss what did you sayt" said old
9 Mr.. Jessup, beamingly. Call round
y this evening and tell US all about it;
L there's q good fellow. | haven't time
70 to listen just now"
7 could have torn my hair with
d rage. Mr.. Jessup was Pauline
10 Brooke's uncle and guardian, and |
Y. knew that my changes in that dlrec.
ton would be all off if once the fatal
rs story of the wedding ring got to Paul
L. ines ears.
I crossed the park and hurried up
9d Regent street, mentally gnashing my
er teeth, and in my impetuous haste mac
~ nearly stumbled over Pauline herself
lust coming out of florists with {
ell tinv boutonniere Of violets IN nel
~ hand.
DIS "Pauline!" cried I, rapturously.
But Pauline drew back the least lit
Ct Tia distance in the world, thereby put
NJ ting an invisible barrier between u
that froze me like an icicle.
L "Dear me, Mr.. Bolton, is it you?
}" said Pauline. II congratulate you,
ler am sure"
~ "Upon what?" I demanded gro"
ny ing desperate.
not to be sure" said Pauline, with
ne, smile like auroral lights hoyerln
no over a snowbank. =,
me "But I'm not going to be married.
rec ,,rotostod
"Oh, excuse me, pray. Gentleme
do not usually buy wedding ring
nla- without purpose" interposed Pau
So to inc. only I should thing yt
And And might have paid such old friends
,ler, we are the compliment of some sllS
Oh, on intimation of your impending ma
ne riage." ,. 1,-u
are "Pauline," said I-"Miss Brooks
lnot hear me. There is only one WON
the the in the world I would care to mari
with 9TH and she stands before me now.
&c.," Pauline's lips quivered-the tel
,iaE sparkled in her eyes: o ~
at attn "Mr Belton,"' said she, you m
" regard all this as very fine JOKE;
wing surely it is not necessary 10 a'o
tier more insult to it ;,
WV " a "Do you mean that you don't
Ion't lieve me?" o,o.o.
than chow can l. o0ii0''
Inks Inks Sn Driven to sort of frenzy, drag|
state p Percy Cresmer's letter from
ny not "Pauline," said I, "read that,
ri YOU will have a solution Of the n
9TH {erv of the wedding ring"
Her face cleared up as she CLAN
nv over the contents Of. poor Cresm
0 Sill. ecstactic missive. ,,r
\" "Poor fellow" said she. Il
- 7 verv much in love, isn't he? :.
cold GNot half as much as I am, sal
,s ak And then in the smilax- borde
= 1t. shadow of the fotist's shop L pres
ache, my suit. ono
.ewed "Dear Pauline' ie' nn0 u ''''
,ther. wedding ring"
.aae" "For whom?" demanded my
e OBJ love. ,a uon E
LONG time; but l never had the
,;oned ACE to avow my lovo before
urally Pauline. ., ..,o ~,
CnI the stand talking here"
, % II won't stir step until yo'
swer me. ;to4oa
1896" "What shall l S"'' N'''
lon1 mos