The Winslow mail., 1898-01-08

rather isn't worth much, ana don
think I'll throw myself away on her.
There's Miss Graham; she's smart and
handsome, and her fathers worth
great deal; but she's got too much tenn
per for me. Pm afraid l don't want
any of these high-fyers! Miss Grants
the most desirable person after all. Old
Grants bank account is one very salts
factory feature about the transaction.
When she gets back Tll speak to her
about it and have the thing off my
mind"
Miss Grant came back the next week
and Oscar wended his way to her home
shortly after her return to inform her
of the decision he had arrived at dur
ing her absence.
Miss Grant was rather cool.
"She's miffed to think l haven't
spoken on the important subject be-
FORE" thought Oscar.
A good chance presenting itself, Os-
car proceeded to offer his hclrt ana
hand to Miss Grant after the most
genteel manner possible.
He expected her to burst into a flood
of thankful tears or perform some other
equally original feat 10 demonstrate
the gladness of her emotions, but she
did not do anything Of the kind.
You do me a great deal of honor, l
suppose" said she, in a tone which
seemed to imply that she hardly con-
sidered that she was speaking truth
fully, "but don't feel like accepting it.
/ would refer you to Miss Graham"
Oscar was thunderstruck.
He had never dreamed of anything
like this. 1t fiustered his wits up ter
ribly for minute or two. Then he
rallied them and tried to explain mat
ters but Miss Grant was obstinate as
woman ever was, and would not
listen to word from him.
'Go to Miss Graham" was all she
said, and Oscar at last withdrew from
the field, discounted.
"It's plain as the nose on my face that
she's heard something about my fiirt-
ing with Miss Graham, and she's mad
about it. COnfOund Miss Grahamw
But after sober second thought on the
matter he concluded to accept Miss
Grants advice and go to Miss Graham.
Accordingly he set off to inform Miss
Graham that he had concluded to
marry her.
Miss Graham was all smiles and pret-
ty words, and Oscar felt that he had
but to say the word and the thing was
settled.
And by and by he proceeded to in
form her of the honor he had decided
to confer upon her.
Marry your exclaimed Miss Gra-
ham, "why, couldn't think of such a
thing!' and she laughed as if it was the
best joke Of the season.
Oscar began to feel scared
"Why not?" he demanded.
Because Pm engaged to one man al
ready and the law objects to our mar
rying two, you know" And thereupon
Miss Graham laughed again as if It
were immensely funny.
For the life of him Oscar could not
see the point.
''How long have you been engagcdW
stammered Oscar, feeling cold and hot,
and, to use handy old phrase which
is very expressive if not strictly elc-
CANT, decidedly streaked."
''For as much as-let me see"--cooi
ly-'as much as a year, fancy. Yes
1t was in October that it happened
Just about a year ago"
"And you never told mev groancd
Oscar.
"You never asked me-" said Miss
Graham.
Poor oscar! He gathered up his lac
Grated heart and withdrew FROM his
second battlefield completely routed
81 won't give it up!' he decided
''There's Lucy Brown. She'll have me
and jump at the chance, and she's
worth forty Miss Grants and train
load of Miss Grahams! I'll write to her
and ask her this very afternoon"
And write to her he did.
He had not answered her last letter.
received three months before, but he
put in page Of excuses for his negli-
eence and smoothed the matter over to
his satisfaction, if not to Lucy's.
The letter was sent, and he awaited
a reply with considerably anxiety.
At last it came.
'Its favorable. Of course! he said,
as he tore open the letter. "Lucy's al
ways thought her eyes of me-"
But his opinion as to its being favor
able changed somewhat as he read it.
Mr.. Oscar Edison: l am very thank
full for the honor, ETC., but 1 don't take
ND with secondhand articles when l
car get them at first-hand. John Smith
saws: Tell him l have something TO
saw about it now, and I'm not going to
forego my claim on Lucy Brown for al
the oscar Edsons in the world, and it
i,n't quite the thing down in Dayton
to nronose to other mems wives
Love to Miss Grant; also Miss Gra-
ham. Yours,
LUCY BROWN SMITH"
"Good gracious! Lucy marred!'
Oscars eyes were like saucers when
he read that name.
Then he suddenly dropped into the
nearest chair.
..Weu, I've gone and done It this
timer he groaned. oscar Edison,
you're a foolg'