The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-28

| to get UP fearful passion for another
Maiden right under the naughty ones
nose. If | may so express myself
Il commenced this deep-laid scheme the
first thing in the morning. OF course
altered my entire style 10 suit the sty.e
OF my present object | paid my atiel-
tions to Miss Fannie. Miss Fannie was
WITTY, satirical. fond of a joke. full of
animal spirits. ! joked with her. laughed
with her. sleighed her. leased her. with
signal siccess.
We'll. somehow. / began to think less
ssvagely of my revenge on the naughty
Clara. Fannie was a remarkably sem
sible girl. with all her leyity. She and
| agreed in many things that ! never found
a woman TO agree with before. and Clara
did not show the slightest tendency
toward relenting or Turing me back from
the rival goddess i had set up In her dc
spite: Harry. too. no longer bored me with
his Olympian frown. / stayed a fortnight
at the homestead. instead of a week. ard
when ] had returned TO my den in the
city. 1 really caught myself feeling stupid.
and wishing l knew just what they were
all doing up at the homestead.
Then singular fancy took pos ses-
sion OF me for Caltrups society al
Ways liked him. but never sought him
very assiduously; now / haunted his
enthusiastically haunted it, | assure
you. Charlie. i couldn't have analysed my
feelings then. 10 save my life. / saw the
opera with Caltrup, / saw few evening
parties at the houses OF friends OF Caltrup,
saw very elegant ring. diamond and
rubies, and bought it. and locked it up,
With no earthly object that | distinctly
recognized at the time.
'One day Caltrup said 10 me: They'll be
in town tomorrow; I've just got letter
from Fan
Who are coming | asked calmly.
p" oh, mother. and Clara. and Fan. and
Harry. They're on a grand shopping tour.
preparatory TO the great event in the
spring. you know.
Yes. knew. In the spring the haugh-
ty Clara was TO wed the gushing Harry.
So they came and l passed a fortnight
again at the mercy of Miss Fannie. 1t
was n humiliating two weeks to me- for
Miss Fannie compelled me to see every
thing she chose to assert good and ], to
my shame. abjured in the most pusillan-
nous manner my most cherished blind
nesses. and came out with telescope pow
er to look admiringly on all objects ha-
loed by her approving smile.
When they went back. leaving me an
informal invitation TO the wedding. I spent
a whole day and night till l fell asleep
searching my inner self, and then 1t was
that, after rigid examination. first dis
covered. lodged in q fructifying nook OF
my bosom, specimen Of that luxuriant
plant yclept love. already bursting into
bloom II absolutely frightened me.
"Caltrup and | went up TO the wedding
There were not a great many
people there. The bride looked charming,
of course.
Fannie, first bridesmaid, was disas-
trously-l thought then-bewitching. The
last feeble defence of my cynicism, as well
as nearly the last spark OF my hope-or,
rather courage-sank before her fascina-
ton. How often that morning ] tortured
myself with the question. Did she love
me? Could she love me? And did not dare
to answer il, save by a very lugubrious
sigh. had little experience in the wiles
Of Cupid. you know. and a woman's heart
was a Rosetta stone to me.
"As we were looking at the gifts. Miss
Fannie said. oh what a delightful thing
1 must be to 20 to Europe, Just think,
lara and Harry arc to be gone a whole
year; and are going all over Italy, and
France, and Germany. and through all
hose grand old galleries, and cathedrals.
,nd-and everything, How / wish | could
20 with them
1 can't see the delight to any extent. |
Hiss Fannie 1 replied, rather spitefully.
To be rushed from one place TO another,
md dragged through dreary picture-gal- |
cries and damp. gloomy churches day after |
lay. until it's all muddle. as somebody |
avs. seems to me fearful bore
You are an obstinate. crotchety old |
achelor. 1 declare. cried Miss Fannie But |
don't think a wedding is wedding with
mt a bridal tour TO Europe; and it was |
who Influenced sister to go, and per-
uaded mother TO let her, and ordered
larry 10 make all the arrangements; and
ever l. She stopped suddenly, and then
ripped from the rom like fairy, but not
efore I saw a rosy blush flushing up from
er cheeks TO her brow. like translucent
loud tinted by the rising sun.
Il pondered over this declaration of Miss
'annie's. and her suddenly interrupted IL
yer l.
The next day. however made sud-
en-, startling. and quasi-inyoluntary re-
olive. and acted upon it instantaneously:
Ow did il or even why. I cannot explain:
was an impulse-a most happy one, /
eel now. Fannie and were on the piazza
don't think VIC were saying anything very
pecial, when the boy drove up with let
Frs from the adjacent village.
" Miss Fannie said 7. suddenly, 1T may
e true, as you have said, that am obsti
ate and crotchety; but, believe me. it is
~ misfortune. not my fault. never had
he gentle influences of mother or sister,
r even lady cousin TO mold my harsh
r nature. | begin TO see that-that
hould and could see many things which
u short. ! really want to see-to-to'
Ould not proceed for the life of me as /
ad wished. but, drawing a hurr ed breath.
almost stammered: Will iii you per-
lit me toto write 10 you?"
The blush rose against slightly as she
epiied; 4 shall always be happy to re-
Five a letter from the most intimate friend
my brother
Fannie spoke with a demure smile that
stantly reused fierce desire on my part
kiss her there and then. Which, how
'er / did not do.
When we were about to leave, search
in vain for Fannie. She was nowhere to
found. and babe the rest Of the family
rather gloomy farewell. :
My first epistle was sent. In a fort
ght cruel delay. received charmingly !.
quante reply. The very next day l mail .
epistle No. 2. a week only this time .
apsed between expectation and the an d.
yer. From this lime we correspond regu- :
rly until"
Until" said n sweet voice with n touch .
malice in it, unexpectedly interrupting I.
Gorge, until the obstinate. crotchety old .
chelors eyes were opened-so he avowed :
and he saw distinctly many things not =.
ven him to see previously .
We both started and turned around i.
here stood Mrs. George Telford. once :.
iss Fannie Caltrup, with the bright, pro-
king smile on her radiant face. and her =.
,Eder finger appraised threateningly to i.
= surprised husband. :.
sNv-sh Fannie how-%han did WIN :.
me in? Oh! allow me TO Introduce my Z
end Charles Searor."
rhe courtesies of the introduction over. !;
a.