The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-09-15
A STOLEN KISS.

"My dear Leslie,' said Sir Henry
Seymour to his ward, 81 do wish you
would try to be little less fast. Every
one is talking about you. and it is very
painful to me-
"My dear guardy." said the young
lady he addressed, very pretty girl
about Is, what have l done? Just
mention some of my sins and will try
to REFORM
"Well, said Sir Henry, "to begin
slang expressions; 1 am sure you do not
mean any harm, dear, but it does not
sound well. l wish you would adopt
more ladylike manner, like those nice,
quiet girls, Colonel Bonds daughters
l assure you, Leslie, men do not care
for fast girls. however much they may
flirt with them, and l confess l should
like to see you we'll married.
"Now, my dear Sir Henry" said Les
lie coaxingly, "tell me, did you ever
hear me say anything the least weeny
bit improper"
Certainly not, my dear child"
"Then let me tell you those nice,
quiet, ladylike girls you admire so
much say things that would make your
hair stand on end If you could only
hear how they go on when we are by
ourselvesl 1 should be quite ashamed"
she added, with energy, ''even to think
of the things they discuss freely-in-
deed cut them whenever I can. AS for
marrying-really, all the young men I
know are such muffs or prigs l detest
the whole lot. What is my next crime?"
"You smoke cigarettes Leslie" said
her guardian sternly. 81 was told you
were actually seen with one between
| your lips out of doors the other night.
Leslie hung down her head little,
and then said, with slight blush:
81 cannot deny 1 tried one once, and
indeed it was SO nasty and made me
feel so i'll that assure you l am not
likely to do it again.
81 am glad to hear it. So you think
all young men muffs or prigs? l hope
to introduce you to one who answers
neither description. You have of course
heard of Captain Murray?'
"Do you mean the Captain Murray
| who gained the Victoria cross for de-
| Tending that fort so gallantly in the
last campaign? OF course l remember
all about him. Why!'
| "He is coming home, and being the
son of an old friend he has promised to
pay me a visit, and I expect him
shortly"
"How delightful I shall like to
| r =
some.''
douglas Murray was a very good
looking lad, but you will not suit him,
young lady. He abhors fast girls and
is very fastidious.
"Well, shall survive his disappro-
baton, dare say. Amy will suit him
to T, she is such a demure little
mouse - And Miss Lindsay took her
self off.
In due time Captain Murray arrived.
Leslie Lindsay was disappointed. She
could hardly believe that quiet, unas.
suming young man could be the hero
who had startled the whole civilized
world into admiration. To her guard
ian's great annoyance she seemed to
make point Of showing herself in he,
worst oolors, and when Sir Henry asked
her whether she thought Captain Muir
ray prig or muff she declared be
was BOTH
One very hot day in July Leslie and
Sir Henry's daughter, Amy Seymour,
were returning from making a call
The drawing room windows opened OF
the veranda, which was covered with
luxuriant creepers. 1t looked very COO
and pleasant inside on such a sultry
day. The two girls were about to entel
the room when Leslie, who was in ad
vance, suddenly drew back and pointed
inside. Amy peeped in. There was Cap
tain Murray fast asleep in an armchair
near the window.
"What chance, Amy, for me tt
win a pair of glovesr'
"For shame, Lesliel You surely
would not think of such a thing
"Whos afraid?'' said Leslie "Be
sides, he is really fast asleep and will
never know. and the temptation is TOT
much for me. Consider, the hero thu
whole world raves about" and with {
mischievous look at Amy she stepped
lightly in and dropped kiss as ligh
as puff of thistledown upon the sleep
er's forehead.
AS the sound of the girls retreatins
footsteps died away, Douglas Murray
opened his eyes and, smiling to himself
said:
~ suppose that is considered fas
girl l must confess like her, and be
. lieve she is really true and womanly
That fast manner is all humbug. mus
, not forget to pay my debt, however, ,
and he laughed. "She thinks me {
muff, l know Never mind, that kis
was very nice-I forgive her. :"
A day or two afterward as they wer,
, all at breakfast, Sir Henry said:
~ forgot, Leslie, here is somethin.
for you" handing her a small packet
: marked "Parcel Post.
r "What can it be, 1 wonder?' sh,
said, as she cut the string, "the hand
! writing is quite strange to me-" ant
J she was about to open it quite uncon
cernedly, when Amy remarked:
> sit is just the shape of glove box.
Leslie started and looked guiltiI,
| across the table at Captain Murray