Catoctin clarion., 1898-11-03

Indignantly.
"And her names Helen,' said West
with an idiotic giggle.
At this stage l pretended tc see some
one l 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 moonv glare of two spec
lacled eyes. whats this l hear about
you my dear young friend? Accept my
congratulations. Mat,lmony is always
blessed condition and-
"Oh, yes, don t doubt it. l hurried
ly interrupted, "but-a-there's some
mistake about it.
"Miss what did you say9-call around
this evening and tell us all about it;
there's good fellow. haven't time to
listen just now."
Il could have torn my hair with rage.
Mr.. Jessup was Pauline Brooks un-
Gle and guardian and knew my chances
in that direction would be all off if once
that fatal story of the wedding ring got
to Paulines ears.
crossed the park and hurried up
Regent street, mentally gnashing my
teeth and in my impetuous haste, nearly
stumbled over Pauline herself, coming
out of florists with tiny boutonniere
of violets in her hand.
"Paulinep' l cried rapturously.
But Pauline drew back the least little
distance in the world, thereby putting
an invisible barrier between us that
froze me like an icicle.
"Dear me, Mr.. Bolton, is il ou2' she
said. II congratulate you, / am sure"
upon what?' 1 demanded, growing
desperate
Upon your approaching marriage,
to be sure" she said, with a smile like
auroral lights lowering over a snow
bank.
"But I'm not going to be married.
l protested.
"Oh, excuse me, pray. Gentlemen
do not usually buy wedding rings with.
out a purpose" interposed Pauline.
"Only l should think you might have
paid such old friends as we are the
compliment of some slight intimation of
your impending marriage"
"Pauline, Said Miss Brooks-hear
me. There is only one woman in the
world l would care to marry, and she
stands before me now"
Pauline'S lips quiyerod-the tears
sparkled in her eyes.
MIR. Belton," she said, "you may
regard all this as a very fine joke, but
surely it is unnecessary to add any more
insult to it"
"Do you mean that you don't belieye
me?"
"How can believe you, she retorted.
Driven to a sort of frenzy, | dragged
Percy Cresmer's letter from my pocket.
"Pauline," said l, Nread that and you
will have solution Of the mystery of
the wedding ring"
Her face cleared up as she glanced
over the contents of poor Cresmer's mis-.
sivt.
"Poor fellow" said she. "lIe's very
much in love, isn't he?"
"Not half as much as | am" said |.
And then IN the smilax- bordered
shadow OF the florists shop | pressed
my suit.
"Dear Pauline, let me order another
wedding ring,
"For whomW demanded my lady love
"For you. l have loved you for
long time; but never had the courage
to avow my love before"
"Hush," said Pauline, WE must not
stand talking here"
WI won't stir a step uutil you answer
me-"
what shall l say" she hesitated.
"Say yes"
| ordered duplicate wedding ring
that very night. Pauline said it was
too soon, but quoted the ancient pro-
verb, Delays are dangerous and we
are to be married in month. And if
it hadn't been for the providentiaI COM
mission of Cresmer's wedding ring l
might still have been shiyering on the
brink Of an unspoken proposal. "Blessed
be wedding rings" say I.-Spare Mo-
mlsnts.
For ivy poisoning, wood ash lye,
washed off with warm water and vase
line applied.
Biting the lips is not only a bad habit,
but it will in time impair the shape of