Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1898-12-15

said Bill West. ii stockbroker, famil-
iarly thrusting his elbow into my side,
as l strolled into Gatti's for my lunch
that day.
MOI" said I, taking UP the bill OF
fare.
ooh, come, don't deny the soft i'm
parchment" 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. Waiter a
half-bot of Mumm! Let's drink her
health, Bolton, when
At this stage pretended to see some
one whom knew at an opposite table
and bolted across the room.
Old Mr.. Jessup was trotting across
Hyde Park when I Unexpectedly came
face to face with him.
"Helloi" said Mr.. Jessup, turning
upon me the moony glare of two spec
tacled eyes. whats all this l hear
about you, my dear young friend? Ac-
cept my congratulations. Matrimony Is
always a blessed condition, and
ooh, yes; l don't doubt il" 1 hur-
riedly interrupted, "but-a-there
some mistake about it.
Miss, what did you say?" said old
Mr. Jessup, beamingly. Call round
this evening and tell us all about it;
there's a good fellow. l haven't time
to listen just now"
l could have torn my hair with rage
Mr.. Jessup was Pauline Brooks uncle
and guardian, and l knew that my
chances in that direction would be all
off if once the fatal story of the we'd
ding ring got to Pauline's ears
I crossed the park and hurried up
Regent street, mentally crashing my
teeth, and in my impetuous haste had
nearly stumbled over Pauline herself
just coming out of a florists with
tiny boutonniere of violets in her mana.
"Paulinel" cried l, rapturously.
But Pauline drew back the least lit
tie distance in the world, thereby put
ting an invisible barrier between us
that froze me like an icicle.
Dear me- Mr. Bolton, is 1t you?
said Pauline. 81 congratulate you, l
am sure"
Upon what?" I demanded, grow
ing desperate.
Upon your approaching marriage,
to be sure" said Pauline, with a smile
like auroral lights lowering over
snowbank.
But am not going to be married,
protested 1.
"Oh, excuse me, pray. Gentlemen
do not usually buy wedding rings with
out a purpose" interposed Pauline
only I should think you might have
paid such old friends as we are the
compliment of some slight intimatlon
of your impending marriage"
Pauline" said Miss Brooks-hear
me. There is only one X f2TT and @tRhe re
world I would care row"
stands 3efs lips quivered-the tears
sparkled in her eyes.
Mr.. Belton," said she, you may
regard this all as very fine joke, but
surely it is not necessary to add any
more insult to it"
DO you mean that you don't believe
me?"
How can 1 believe your" retorted
she.
Driven to a sort Of frenzy, dragged
Percy Cresmer's letter from my pocket
Pauline" said I, read that and yol
will have a solution of the myster!
of the wedding ring
Her face cleared up as she glance
over the contents of poor Creemer'
ecstatic missive.
Poor fellow!" said she. He's yer.
much in love, isn't he?"
Not half as much as I am" said
And then in the smilax- bordere,
shadow of the florists shop 1 presse
my suit.
Dear Pauline, let me order anothe
wedding ring"
For whom?' demanded my lad,
love.
For you. l have loved you fcr
long time; but never had tn,
courage to avow my love before, deat
Pauline"
"IIush!" said Pauline, 1--WE musn
stand talking here"
Il won't stir step until you answer
me-"
What shall 1 say?" hesitated Paul
inc.
Say yes"
I ordered the duplicate wedding ring
that very night. Pauline said it was
too soon; but l quoted the ancient
proverb, Delays are dangerous" Ant
we are to be married in a month. Ant
if it hadn't been for the providentia
commission of Cresmer's wedding rine
l might still have been shivering or
the brink of an unspoken proposal
Blessed be wedding rings" say l.
Spare Moments.