Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-03-01
ALGERNON AND BELINDA.

|
They had each found their affinity.
They felt sure of this, but they found
it extremely difficult to make the old
man in the case understand the inter
esting fact. She was the only daugh-
| ter of the old man who acted the
stony-hearted parent, and the youth
on whom she .davished her whole af-
lection, alas! was only an underpaid
clerk in the old mans Wall Street Of
| flee.
Algernon-his name was not "a bit
like AlgernQn, but let it go at that
-Algernon was "a bright, promising
young fellow, and he. had been well
come guest at the old millionaire's
house until one day he had almost
made the old man throw fit by de-
claring his love for Belinda. Belinda
was not exactly the maiden's name,
but never mind.
Belinda's infatuation was fully as
great as that of Algernon, and she
| had also pleaded that she never could,
would or should love another. All in
vain. She had talked about two
souls with but single Thought" and
her relentless father had replied,
| III SeoluS.
die had either views for his only
daughter, and Algernon was sternly
forbidden to see or even communicate
with the gentle Belinda again, on pain
of instant dismissal from the Office,
! while the love sick maiden was shut
| up in the family residence, closely
| guarded, and adj the mail at both Of
| flee and residence was personally SUI
pervised and examined by the mil.
lionaire himself.
In spite of all these precautions,
the lovers found some mysterious
means to communicate with one an
other. The old man was sure of this,
but when he stormed and demanded
am eXplanati Jon of how Algernon knew
the most minute detail of Belinda's
home life, when he bullied Belinda to
tell. him how ON earth she learned
every little happening to Algernon at
the office, even to the particulars of
his private conversation, the pair
would only smile happily, and say,
"She, or he, is my affinity, my alter
ego and no power ON earth can make
us live apart"
"Bosh!" replied the stony-hea rted
one, but still he was purplexed, for,
in spite of keeping a sterner espion-
age over the pair, their revela tions of
the absolute knowledge of each 9th
| er's movements and affairs became
holder and more marvellous every day.
Not contented with this, they dared
the old man to put their mutual hyp-
motto control to the test.
Tonight, sir, when you arrive at
home said Algernon, Belinda, will
| meet you in the hall and with a kind
| ly smile of welcome, she will take
| your hat and cane and escort you to
! the library. When the dinner is over
she will take "a red rose from a vase
ON the table and pin it in your but
tonhole, after which she will go to
the piano and sing one verse of ooh!
Promise Me- Should you ask her for
a second verse, she will sadly reply:
I cannot sing that song, for I am
not permitted to keep my promises
Those will be her exact words. Then
she will retire to her. room.
~'You will be so mad that in the
morning you will threaten her with
banishmemt to Europe, but she will
tell you that space cannot separate
affinities and offer to prove the glor-
ious fact to you"
''Bosh!" again calculated the mil
lionaire; but when everything happen
ed precisely as his underpaid clerk
had predicted, he felt uneasy and
passed most unplea SAINT night.
In the morning he did not threaten
his dainty daughter with Punishment
to Europe, and he chuckled as he
thought that Algernon was wrong for
once, but as the obedient Belinda
I handed him his hat and cane he iok-
ingly asked her how it was she never
more asked for news of Algernon.
ut is not necessary, papa" said the
maiden with downcast eyes. I'VE are
| affinities, you know. and ever present,
each with the other"
Old man. He was Coming TO a point
when he knew of nothing ase to say.
SO strange were the circumstances
surrounding him. 81 suppose you
know what he would do if | should
fire him from the office and ruin all
his prospects in life?' continued the
furious old man.
Il know you would not be so cruel"
said the little maiden. Indeed, 1
know that today you will consent to
1 my seeing him again. for / wild prove
to you that we are together in soul al
ready. Listen! See if am right!
Soon after you have entered your
private office today" continued Belin-
da, in tragic tones and with fara-
way look. like one peering into the flu.
ture, che will knock three times at
your door and offer you a present.
You will angrily refuse. He will soft
ly whistle bar or two OF IF Yo'
Aain't Got No Money Yo' Needn't
Come Round and resume his seat.
Exactly one hour afterward he will
knock twice and extend another peace
offering. Again you will reply an
grily. One hour later he will knock
only once, and enter without speak
ing. When you ask him what he
wants, he will reply: The hand of
your daughter. If you again refuse,
you viii return to find your Belinda
is no more"
Again, the old fellow falt inclined to
sag 'Eosa!" hut the. wQE1 stuck ip