Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-06-01

| was several years MS senior, anu Nlltii
we We're at Oxford together had looked
upon him as n younger brother. He was
| In every respect fine fellow, COED nat
ured, manly and handsome. l had GENE
down on visit to his mother, Lady Holt,
at her country house in Surrey, the only
other guests at the time being Dorothy
| Brand and her friend, Minnie Garter.
When Clarence and l were alone in the
library, he suddenly became very mysteri-
Gus, and for moment or two was unusu
ally quiet. Presently he said:
We've always been great chums,
| haven't we. Reggie?"
Now, what is 1t you want me to do for
| you?" l said. Come to the point, old
boy"
He smiled. "As matter of fact" he
said, Il do want you to help mo about
something. But, first of all, l must tell
you one or two things in confidence. You
know Dorothy Brandt"
Did know Dorothy Brand? Had I not
been enjoying the pleasure of her company
+ for the last ten days at Grancourt2
"She's nice sort of girl, of course, he
continued.
II should rather think she was" I
broke in warmly.
My mother thinks so, too, said Clar-
ence, land you will probably be surprised
to hear that she asked her down here in
hope that should fall in love with her. ="
1.-The deuce she did," cried and own
that was considerably startled.
MY mother said that she had no wish
to force my inclinations, but she proceeded
to enumerate all the advantages that
would accrue to me II l made Dorothy my
wife Sho is hardly an heiress, but then
bp hei ION 10 of th, fay
lilies, and she is certainly an attractive
girl Now, what want you to do is to go
to my mother
81 think can guess interrupted
81 am to break 1t to her that you are
very sorry
"Oh, l am not at all sorry" he broke
IN. II want you to announce my engage
ment''-
What" almost screamed.
"To Minnie Carter, he concluded.
I sank down into chair. l certainly
felt relieved. though I hardly knew why
at the moment. My dear old boy l want
to congratulate you, I cried enthusiastic
ally. I'm sure you will be awfully happy
together"
Thanks, old chap" be said, "and will
you break 1t to my mother? She will be
dreadfully disappointed, especially as l
have put her off the scent by paying good
deal of attention to Dorothy"
In the afternoon had nothing particu-
lar to do, so l proposed to Dorothy Brand
l wasn't good enough for her told her
SO myself, but she said might hope, and,
with her sweet words still ringing in my
ears, felt ready to face and break any
thing to Lady Holt.
suppose there must be something in
w cl.a
proceeded to lead up to the very subject
wished to breach.
"You are such an old friend of the fam
lily, " she began, that I always feel l can
talk to you about matters which concern
the happiness Of my SON"
You are Very kind, Lady Holt, re-
piled and waited for her to go on.
"Now has it struck you, Reggie--hes 1t
struck you during the last week that a GER
tain person has been showing any signs of
favor to Clarence?"
l felt justified in saying that it had
struck me.
Pm glad to hear you say it, wasn't
quito sure myself. Dorothy is O sweet
girl"
"She is indeed" cried
ut is really very nice of YOU
"Not at all, Lady Holt, l assure you
we were getting ON very well.
Clarence is nearly 26, as you know. 1t
Is time he settled down"
lone of these days shall be settling
down myself" observed.
And shall be the first to congratulate
you" said Lady Holt.
rather doubted it, but held my peace
But about Clarence" she continued.
81 tell you, Reggie, shall be happy wo-
man when hear that he is actually en-
gagged"
"Then think I can promise you that
you won't have long to wait" replied
genially.
do you really mean it?''
II mean that Clarence actually Is en-
gagged. He gave me the information Just
before lunch.'
Twas about to explain everything, when
Dorothy Brand came along, taking us both
by surprise. Lady Holt literally rushed at
her.
I'm SO gladr' she exclaimed, and
kissed her ON both cheeks.
THANK you, Lady Holt, said Dorothy
"Mr. Lambert has lost no time in telling
you the news, see. -
HE has been telling me all about 1t. I
am surprised, though" added Lady Holt,
THAT was not told about it before, Reg
gie"
"But"- began Dorothy, amazed
II am afraid. Lady Holt that did not
make myself quite plain, put in by way
Of explanation. ~ did not tell you that
Dorothy has promised to be my wife"
your wife' she cried. ~ don't quite
understand. You positively assured me
that it was Clarence who was engaged"
$50 it is was trying to break it to
you gently. He is engaged to Miss Car
ter"
WHAT" she shrieked. If had been
near enough to catch her, she would have
tainted.
We reasoned and pleaded for half al
hour, at the end of which time Lady Holt
began to show signs Of relenting.
at might have been worse" she &C.
knowledged, and she went off in search of
the delinquent pair, leaving Dorothy and
me alone