The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-04-30
BY J. A. FLYNN.

!
a fidgety old bachelor"
''You're not really old and you're never
fidgety with me, and | owe you so much. o."
I'd merely paid for her schooling and
/ Tom-poor old Tom-that I'd take care Of
his girl
"That's nothing to do with it, Mandy"
l said slowly. "You see, I've a lot Of il
terests which you could never share" She
shook her head doubtfully. "And like
to rush off when I'm not working to mems
recreaton-to play cricket, to watch foot
ball Or
Il like watching foot ball, ;" she observed
eagerly.
'I'm used to having meals when please
and going out when like and coming in
when like. OF course l couldn't do that
il | had wife. 1t wouldn't be fair
at would be little lonely for her,
said Amanda wistfully
So | continued resolutely, resisting
an absurd impulse to kiss her again,
though think you the incest little wo-
man in the world, dear, - she smiled Just
like the sun coming Quit would be
better for you to find some one younger
and less crotchety." She tapped the ground
rapidly with one little foot "Meanwhile
we're engaged, you know, and we must
live up to it. Where sh IL take you to-
morrow"
''Oh, no! You must do lot of your
| book tomorrow and give me some copying
to do-about brains ard spines and
things"
, Nonsense, child Don't always take
| you out when come to town? Shall we
60 to the academy?' She laughed her old
childish laugh.
"And lunch at restaurant? ~ she in
quired delightedly. "And go to the Crys
tai palace afterward, and have tea in the
gardens, and see the variety show, and
dine on the terrace like we did last year -
She squeezed my arm in her old way
won't it be iolly?'
1t was jolly. The next day l took her
to the ZOO and smiled to see her laugh at
tho monkeys. The day after took her to
the exhibition and up the big wheel and
put my arm round her because she was
frightened, or pretended to be. Isqueezed
twice for good night. Then | began to see
that it would be bad for the Cerebral
Convolutions" if this sort of thing went
on. So sent for Nephew Frank to come
up to town at once. That light hearted
young gentleman held his sides with
laughter when explained the situation.
$50 I'm to court your tiancee- she used
to be pretty little girl-and take her of
your hands for an allowance Of $500 a
year p he said, wiping his eyes; 1880
and $500 make $500 = G40O apiece"
"Exactly!' l said approvnply. "You
always were smart at figures, Frank"
'But, my dear uncle, suppose she won't
have me? Besides, Pm not sure but |
think Pm just a little gone on Nellie Mar
chant. Suppose | don't care for your
Amanda ?"
'She's awfully nice, Frank. You
couldn't help it," l was surprised at my
doleful tone.
Then, said he, "why don't you marry
her yourself?"
81 lit cigar and drummed on the
fender with my slipper. 'I'm too old-too
settled in my bachelor ways, Frank"
said regretfully. 81 don't know-Tm not
sure-if it would do"
81 believe it would be the best thing in
the world for you, old man." Frank
leaned over the table earnestly. He's an
honest, unselGsh lad. That's why I'm so
fond of him. And l know he'd be good to
her. "Well, I said slowly, lll be honest
with you, Frank. I'm fond of the child
very fond indeed. If l thought that she
could like me-in that way-pm hanged
II wouldn't chance it. Bus she only
looks upon me as an elder brother. Some
day she'-l paused to blow my handker-
chief-"she would fad out. 1t wouldn't
! do; Pm sure it wouldn't do"
So it was arranged that should be busy
finishing my book and see less of Amanda,
and Frank was to see her every day to find
out il she would like him better than me, or
if he could like her better than Nellie
Marchant
This arrangement lasted for fortnight,
but not one of us seemed quite ourselves.
Mandy grew staid and silent. l oouldn't
do anything right with the book, and some
thing seemed wrong with my liver. Even
cheerful Frank grew bit bad TEN pered.
At the end of the fortnight he burst in
upon me in the evening when | was busy
! with the Cerebral Convolutions.
Look here, uncle" said he coolly, fling
ing himself into an armchair and taking
one OF my cigars, you're an ass!"
That, l observed mildly, sis very strong
language, Frank"
WELL" said he, 81 like Nellie ever no
much better than your Amanda that's
fat
Then" said !, bringing my hand down
on the table with tbumn uvou,ra a