The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-11-11
BY rlRS. ALBERT w. Ceilings.

I And then mamma came in and lii spite
Of my previous warnings finished things by
treating Mr. Jones as il he were Albert
Edward or Mark Hanna or at least a royal
duke Mamma never could resist a mil
honaire.
Our visitor took bis leave in less than
half an hour, and | knew that unless |
adopted desperate measures Percval Jones
was lost to me forever.
But Pm not one to give up easily. and
after thinking hard things all night
finally hit on plan and went to sleep at
daybreak and slept till noon as sweetly al d
as innocently as child.
Early in the afternoon l telephoned to
Maud and asked her to 90 with me out t.
the golf links at A O'Clock. Then | tel,
phoned TO Fred to meet us there and pre-
ceeded 10 make fetching toilet with a
| light heart. When we reached the links,
there was Mr.. Jones he had mentioned
that he was going the day before).
He was looking bored, as usual, but
cheered up when treated him with
naughty GOODNESS.
eludei his attempts at conversation,
however, and threw Maud in his way
whenever l could.
I was rewarded by seeing him seat him
self by Maud's side and commence a dis
QUESTION on Ibsen as Fred came around the
hill on his bicycle.
couple than he commenced to glare like a
mailman, and in spite of my innocent
efforts to keep him away, he wound up by
being so outrageously rude to Mr.. Jones
that that gentleman was oonfounded, and
Maud went home in tears
As for me, went to bed happy. My
plan was working to a charm.
A day or twG later | got mamma to ask
Mr.. Jones to dinner and managed TO have
him take Maud out. That settled it. Fred
treated P2rcevnl in such an insulting man
ner that even he could hardly overlook it,
and he left early, to mammals distress and
my secret joy
After that began to meet Perceval every
time went out Of the house. No utter
whether walked or drove or rode wheel
| was sure to encounter him before long,
and he would escort me on my way, leav-
ing me always on our return at the end OF
the street leading To Our hOuse
''Since your brother, who is your guard
ian, dislikes me So cannot 20 to your
home" he wonld say regretfully, ard |
would blush and ssammel an apology.
But | must see you in spite of him, :"
Perceval would add with melting glance
and would 20 home in the seventh heaven
At last after three weeks of this surIep-
titous courtship Perceval could stand it no
longer.
''Be my wife, Rosamond - he cried one
day. "Never mind what they say at home.
I must have you. never knew what love
was before.'
Poor boy, he had never known the bliss
VI lying luI WHdt ue Wdutth. DeluIe luis
it had always dropped into his lap.
But | couldn't trust him even then.
sob, no." l said timidly. 81 dare not.
Fred would kill you if he thought of such
q thing"
''Let him try" said Perceval valiantly,
'I'll have you in spite Of him, See, here
is the minister ON his porch, Rosamond.
Come, darling, he will give me the right t,
claim you from your brother.'
And before knew what l was about,
found myself in the minister's parlor being
married in bicycle skirt and pink cotton
shirt waist.
Ten minutes later walked into Fred's
Office leaving Perceval waiting outside,
looking little pale about the gills, but
with a combati7e CLEAN in bis eye.
Erred" | remarked ooolly as | looked
my brother square in the face, 81 want to
thank you Tor what you've done for me.
Pm Mrs. Perceval Jones, at your leave"
Then smile Of incredulous relief spread
over his face.
Gosh - calculated Fred. ITO think
that the fellow actually wanted You -