The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-09-08


be taking liberty, might l inquire
whether you intend to keep house or
take apartments?"
''What?" calculated |.
ITO keep house or take apartments?"
reiterated Mr.. Silyerman. Because in
the former case we should esteem il a
favor to supply the silver and table
ware"
| muttered some not particularly
complimentary answer, and went out
of the shop, closing the door behind
me with some emphasis.
Going to be married, eh, old chap"
said Bill West, stockbroker, famil-
iarly thrusting his elbow into my side
as l strolled into Gatti's for my lunch
that day.
mo-" said I, taking up the bill Of
fare.
"Oh, come, don't deny the soft i'm
parchment" said West, with a wink.
What has put such an idea as that
into your head?" demanded /, some
what Indignantly.
And her names Helen" said West,
with an idiotic giggle. Waiter,
half-bottle 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 / Unexpectedly came
face to face with him.
Hello" said Mr.. Jessup, turning
upon me the moony glare of two spec
tacled eyes. What's all this | hear
about you, my dear young friend? Ac-
cept my congratulations Matrimony is
always blessed condition, and"
"Oh, yes; | don't doubt it, | hur-
riedly interrupted. "but-a-there'
some mistake about tt"
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. / haven't time
to listen just now!"
could have torn my hair with rage.
Mr.. Jessup was Pauline Brooks uncle
and guardian, and / knew that my
chances in that direction would be all
off If once the fatal story OF the wed
ding ring got to Pauline's ears.
crossed the park and hurried up
Regent street, mentally gnashing my
teeth, and in my impetuous haste had
nearly stumbled over Pauline herself
just coming out Of florists with a
tiny boutonniere of violets in her hand.
"Pauline!" 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 it YOU
said Pauline. Il congratulate you, |
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 n
snowbank.
But l am not going to be married, >
protested /.
"Oh, excuse me, pray. Gentlemen
do not usually buy wedding rings with
out a purpose" interposed Pauline.
only / should think you might have
paid such old friends as we are the
compliment of some slight intlmaCon
of your impending marriage"
Pauline" said Miss Brooks-hear
me. There is only one woman in the
world | would care to marry, and she
stands before me now
Pauline's lips quivered-the tears
sparkled in her eyes.
Mr.. Bolton" 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 I believe you?" retorted
she.
Driven to sort Of frenzy, | dragged
Percy Cresmer's letter from my pocket.
Pauline" said |. read that and you
will have a solution Of the mystery
of the wedding ring
Her face cleared up as she glanced
over the contents Of poor Cresmer's
ecstatic missive.
Poor fellow!" said she. Hes very
much in love, isn't he?'
Not half as much as / am said l.
And then in the smilax-bordered
shadow of the florists shop | pressed
my suit.
Dear Pauline, let me order another
wedding ring"
For whom" demanded my lady
love.
For you. ! have loved you for a
long time; but never had the