Middletown transcript., 1902-02-22

ALO4U. Will you HaasAJ nv -
LEI awhile?" Jessica burst into the
room upon her caller, eyes
y agIow, cheeks flaming, and
flung the above question
at him.
ANYTHING to oblige,u drawled Mr.. Les
lev; s'but what about Jim?"
tJim and l have parted for good and
allp' announced Jessica, positively. Il
am tired of the sound of'his name. Aunt
Eleanor duns it into my ears all day. OF
course, know be is her only son, and a
model Of all that man should be; but
there are other men worth looking at
"Ahp' said Lloyd.
Don't say .Ahl' again in that superior
tone. Just be sensible and tell me when
and how we shall be married"
Here, and now, in any way you like,
,ittle girl. We can have clergyman, or
might persuade my uncle, the bishop,
to do the thing. IF you want a civil cere-
mony, we can go down to the City Hall.
or we might have our nuptials solemnized
in both ways"
The tears stood in Jessica's eyes.
4 you are laughing at mep' she
cri and am quite in earnest"
The young man started and gazed at
her fixedly.
"You mean that you really want to
marry me?', he demanded.
ssFor a time-yes. It will be easy
enough to get divorce later"
ssBut if you are so anxious to get mar
ried, why did you not take Jim?'
"He would have been harder to get rid
of than you will ber' laughed Jessica,
through her tears. "You always were
the easiest man to snub."
"But-"
"Oh, you need not marry me, if you
do not want to. / can probably get
some one else. Married must and will
be, though, before the first of the
month"
"And that only gives you five days
to look around commented Lloyd.
sI thought you were my FRIEND" said
Jessica; and yet the very first favor
ask Of You seems to be too much for you
to grant. I am sure IT is not very pleas
ant for me to have to ask man to marry
me. The only reason am able to do
il at all is because it will be for so short
time.''
but why-why-"
ST cannot tell you why. / have my
reasons, assure you, and they seem to
me, very good ones, but do not feel
like advertising them to the world at
large. If you are willing to be good
fellow and help me out, well and good!
II can't hurt you much, you know; as it
will be only pretence anyway, and then
in a month or SO We will seperate and
get ourselves divorced, and you can go
on lounging about pretty girls boudoirs
just as you do now"
"Fie! For shame, to call yourself
pretty girl. You know very well
lounge, as you say, here more than any,
where else."
"0h, do you? Well, Monica Lorrillard
would be furious if she knew it; for she
says you spend all your spare time with
her."
''She is pretty girl, if you like" said
Lloyd, meditatively.
Jessiea tapped her foot impatiently
"Will you marry me, or will you not?"
'T never could say no when ought
tol'' said Lloyd.
"Then you will?"
eff you really mean it, of course I
will"
ssYou are dearl If you were not SO
dreadfully correct and well-groomed,
] would kiss you for that; but I might
rumple you, and that would break your
heart, know"
"0h, yes, don't kiss me, am already
fustered by your unexpected proposal"
Another thing, you must not say q
word to any one about this matter until
after we are married"
'T am secrecy personifed, and dressed
in frock coat" :
We will be married tomorrow. Let's
70 ont into the country somewhere, and
then lunch afterward at quaint little |
inn / know Of, where we can be very
cosy and domestic"
'.Just as you like, my dear. suppose
you will arrange everything, since you
have gone 80 far. 2
You won't try to go downtown to-
morrow, will you7p coaxingly.
No, man should have one holiday,
at least, when he gets married" returned
Lloyd.
'sHow queer it seemsl You must go
now, as I have lots of things to think
over. Thank you very much, dear mar
II is just like you to humor me in every
thing, and / promise you it will not be
for long"
Lloyd Lesley strolled up the avenue,
lifting his hat now and then to some
passing acquaintance.
sHow do you do?'' called sweet,
shrill voice, and a slip of red-haired
girl darted across the sidewalk. Come
home with me, and will make you a
dish Of tea"
''DelightedP' murmured Lloyd. Mon
lea Lorrillard and he had been flirting
on and off for years, and she was the
only person in the world who knew how
it was with him.
He turnedgladly and went with her.
The tea was good, and Monica in the
best of spirits. The little room where
she took him felt warm and cosy.
ssWhat are you going to do to-mor-
rowq' Monica asked, suddenly.
he started, it seemed such strange |
question, considering what he was going
to do.
'sThere are some pictures to be seen
nntown. and have heard they are quite |