The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-16

gan to weave 10 little romance about
Phyllis and myself, foolish thing for
an old bachelor to do, of course. Then
I decided to wait, at certain point.
and let the situation develop itself.
$ It. developed rapidly the next day;
in the morning received daintily-s
written note from Mrs. Sterling, ex-
pressing thanks for the roses, and in
viting me to tea for that evening. I
accepted the invitation, it is needless to
relate, and it may be of interest to add
that did myself credit. They liscov-
cred that Il was quite equal to such
social function, and trembled not,
neither did I grow purple in the face
and stammer."
Things went merrily for several
weeks. / saw my neighbors frequent
ly, and Phyllis and I oftenstalked across
the dividing wall from our respective
gardens.
Then, when had rescued my reputa-
ton from. the clutches of Mrs. Pea
body by my own courage and perseyer-
| ance, that courage failed me at the
| critical moment.
How was going to inform Phyllis
that I didn't want to be asbachelor
any longer? was sure it was q matter
of no consequence to her; I dreaded
| to appear in the role of an ancient
| adorer. I'm not so old, after all.
could see 5Genevieve's mirth ready to
break out at any unguarded moment.
Mrs. Sterling was evidently sympa-
thetic, but Phyllis-she was indiffer-
ent. AS my only consolation I finished
up that novel with a happy ending,
placed it in one of my little blue covers,
and buried it away, with many signs,
in a drawer of my desk, with several
others similarly bound, and straight
way forgot all about its existence.
One day Phyllis begged me to allow
her to read the original manuscript OF
"Roses and Their Cultivation" before
it was sent off to the publisher. De-
lighted TO fulfill her wish, I went to
my study and seized the desired vol
ume, which gave to her. Then hur.
ried to catch the afternoon train to
the city, as had some urgent business
to transact there.
The next day, perceiving Phyllis in
the summer house, went over to see
her. Before K had been there six min
utes knew something was amiss. She
seemed embarrassed, and although she
kept her face turned away, could see
that even her little ears were a deep
pink. Her voice, usually so frank and
clear, responded to my commonplace
remarks in low, hesitating tones.
swell, Miss Phyllis, did you enjoy
the manuscript?'
every m1ch," came in scarcely audi
BILE tones. 4..+-
IF you care for it you may have
that copy. as I have another can send
to the publisher" I continued, cheer
fully. T.
i A pair of startled eyes met mine ant
dazed voice repeated:
''The publisher? Surely, o, surely
Mr.. Gay, you never intend to publish
this!''
She held out my supposed treatise
on "Roses," and, shades of my ances
tors, on close inspection recognized
that novel! In my haste had give1
her the wrong manuscript!
Phyllis was evidently angry. If eve1
a bashful man was in tight fx,I was
I first Gained her anger by explain
ing the mistake; told her I had only
written the novel for my own amuse
ment, for which imprudence I nov
humbly apologized; then, blind as
was, 1 did not notice how sad her fac
became as I continued:
II never intended you to see it; o
course it is all fiction, pure and sim
pie, especially simple. Every word o
: it felton,
30! only fiction, Mr.. Gay?" sh
said, a trifie stfay.
Then my good angel turned ray o
; light into my darkened mind, for an
swered promptly, with the courage o
my convictions:
1T is in your power to make it truth
: Phyllis. Will you, dear?"
And she murmured Yes.'-Credite'
} in Chicago Tribune to Exchange.