The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-26
IN Old Fool 0nd 0 Young Fool.

why IL TdlHeT marry neT 1nySeI,
said /. Nothing in truth, was further
from my thoughts.
Amanda's mother regarded me Curl
ously. 'Of course" said she, "if that
were the case, it would make a differ
ence."
but i don't really mean it," I cried
hastily. Why, the idea was absurd.
Just when 1 was in the middle of the
book On the Cerebral Convolutions,"
too.
"Then," said her mother, closing her
haTd, hin mouth with a snap; "Aman-
da will marry Mr.. Plutus. There Is no
one but yOu has any right to a voice in
the matter"
There Is Am-1da," I suggested.
She is far too young to de-
eide. ann the judge for her. Amanda
shall do as 1 bid her and marry Mr..
Plutus."
II shall do my best to stop her"
She snail not see you" I knew she
would try to be as good as her word,
and my heart went out in a great pity
for poor little Amanda, who was so like
her father, and had been a. pet of mime
since she was a child.
"R 1 weren't too dbl said, half
to myself.
Nonsense. Why. you're no older
than l." She was AZ.
Too much buried in my books and
in a bachelors recreations"-
Marriage would soon alter that"
Il could never make the child hap
py," l sighed.
Nonsense! She's devoted to you"
Not in that Way-I believe | blush
ed.
You'd soon max her"
Do you really mean it?" I couldn't
let old Toms daughter he married to
that Plutus. Ut would delay matters,
amy how, if she became engaged to me.
Meanwhile l might find some one else
for her.
why not?" she asked coolly.
Very we'll; I will speak to Amanda
about it," l said slowly. but there
must he no drawing back on you part"
I had a sudden inspiration-being a
man Of quick Thought. II should like
10 have your consent in writing. To be
candid, l do not TRUST you.
Very we'll" She sat down to her
escrftOire. "What shall / write?"
Il consent to the marriage Of my
daughter to Mr.. Frank Austen" I die
tated. She wrote it accordingly, and
signed 1T with a flourish.
My name is the same as my ne
pheW's. III have him up to town, and
if he doesn't fall in love with Amanda
he's a fool. That was my idea.
w eli, now L Ill ldIk ~ tAllIdllud, u
said, feeling rather uncomfortable. And
] did.
Amanda is IS, and stands 5 feet 2.
amanda has golden brown hair that
will get loose and tumble about her
cheeks end forehead. Amanda has big
dark eytes and long ~eyelashes andcherry
ripe lips, and the dearest little dimples
in the world. Amanda has soft, white
hands-she generally gives me both
n ND tT,nNr Foot 1xIhnca vi IcHp 7 o01116 V0nnO-
nize lindfold She came i'm quietly
today, and there Were dark mark un-
der her eyes.
"Oh, Cousin Frank" she cried
cousin is my brevet rank-"you won't
let her make me-marry that horrible
man."
Mo- said 1. MANDY, my dear, |
WON'T Then / kissed her. IT only /
were sure that she wouldn't d~isarrange
my study!
You kind old Frank" She took hold
of my arm and squeezed it.
But your mother insists upon your
getting engaged ITO ON one, my dear,
/ said. ruefully; somebody wtho is fair
ay we'll off. Are you in love with any
body. MANDY? Tell me, there's a good
little girl"
She opened her eyes wide, and look
ed at me honestly. oh, no, Cousin
Frank Only-only-I him perhaps ]
should like to 'be-some day.
But there isn't any one yet"
Truly?"
TRULY. No one al all"
"Well, look here Mandy" I said
sheepishly; your mother insists that
you shall be engaged to some one, and
j can only find ONE person"
Mot Mr.. Plutus! 1 won't" she cried
vehemtnently.
NC, no! Not any one who will ammo!
YOU dear, or whom you dislike"
Whoever" She hooked UP at M
quickly and let go my arm.
Just till you find some n you like,
j apologized, turning as red as a popp!
She held on to my arm again an
looked down on the ground. Then sh'
laughed. 'NHow very funny"
Would you mind, Mandy?"
NO." she laughed again. II hin
st woufd be rather fun. You woult
have to take me out a lot, wouldn'
you? To pretend PROPERLY