Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1901-01-10
{ A Weeks Engagements
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i lS EXTRAORDINARY uON N1oHS lucas
get about. Some people actually call
me a flirt. There is not the slightest
foundation for such an assertion eX-
cept that happened to get engaged
to five or six fellows one week. On
dignantly.) l do think people should
he more careful what they say! (Con-
fdcntially.) I'll just tell you how it
happened, and you'll see that L was
not to blame at all.
The first engagement was Sophie
McLeod's fault 1t wasn't an engage
meut at all. really We were talking
one Monday afternoon, when l was
staying at Aunt Anne's, and she kept
telling me how handsome and good
and clever Fred Thomas was. got
so tired of hearing her that L simply
had to do something. (Scornfully.) You
know what a little silly she is.
"My dear girl" 1 said at last, "why
do you think it necessary to tell me
his projections? She became ex-
cited directly.
II thought you scarcely knew him. y
she said. I believe 1 had spoken to
him twice, as matter of fact.
Not know him!" l cried. do you
mean to say that you haven't heard
that he and L" l paused and looked
mysterious.
WHAT" she glared at me. Gle
you'll"
Its secret" I said.
"You are engaged?"
st did not say so" 1 looked very shy.
Like this. Uooks shy.) l am not very
shy, really.
You wouldn't believe it; but the stu
pid girl turned quite disagreeable with
me. She told her mother that Fred
Thomas and / were engaged; and her
mother told everybody. Fred Thomas
was away on a visit, so he could not
contradict the report. I thought it was
great fun. So did my cousins - the
ridiculous boys.
Rev. Adolphus Surplice did not think
it fun at all. He is Aunt Anne's tame
curate. (Meaningly.) He had grown
tanner while was staying there. He
called at half-past nine on Tuesday
morning to inquire if it was true. OF
course | said "No." He became so senti'
emntal that I wished had said yes
He did not trouble to contradict the
rumor. (Rehectively.) l fancy he
thought it would keep other people off
Wasn't it mean?
He called again in the afternoon, also
in the evening. Of course, report got
about that he and I were engaged.
didn't mind the report; but l minded
him. So [ told Cousin Tom that he
must do something to protect me. He
said that he would. He is very in
genious. (Sadly.) l am afraid he is moi
always strictly truthful. He had &
little conversation with the curate
Then Rev. Adolphus picked up his ha'
and rushed out of the drawingroon
with a loud groan. was afraid Ton
had been disagreeable, so l asked hin
what he had said.
"Oh!" he replied, carelessly. II JUS
told him that you were engaged al
ready"
"Why, you stupid" I said. 81 tole
him this morning that I barely knew
Mr.. Thomas" Tom grinned.
II didn't say Fred Thomas"
"What! Who?" l gasped.
''Me,'' said Tom, unabashed. l coule
have boxed his ears with pleasure.
"You don't want to be engaged t
me, do you?" I said, with horror.
mo fear" said he.
you nasty, rude-boy!'
ooh. all right he said, cheerfully
II will if you like
Of course I knew he wouldn'
Uaughs.) There happens to be some
body else whom he prefers. So, on tn
whole, 1 thought it was good joke
if mother didn't hear. Mother is-well
very prim and proper. you know. (Witl
much gravity.) am considered yer.
like her.
On Wednesday afternoon. Jack
Toms brother-came to me with lon!
face.
81 say, May" he began, give Away
said you were good sort" He looke'
as though he desired reinsurance.
81 don't mind your saying it," in
formed him, graciously.
Thanks. Er-then you-er-would
MT mind my saying I was-er-en
gagged to you'll" 1 jumped up ant