The evening Republican., 1902-06-30
BEATING THE
TELEGRAPH.

but the June day had an enervatin 9
breath, and. besides, the note might
be for Clifford.
| Clifford owned Woodcrest. and
Linyard bad only run down for the
week end. Presently the boys slow
feet crunched upon the gravel walk
Clifford stepped out through the
library window.
"Bet the cigars it's for you, Writ,
he suggested. "or, better still, from
Jane Burton"
Linyard flushed. though he tried
to speak carelesslv as he said. "lll
take you for there's no such luck"
| The boy was at the step now
and 10th men reached Tout thier
hands.
| For Mr. Walter Liny ard: the
youngster said as he reached out u
square envelope addressed IN a
hand that caused Linyards heart
10 beat fast.
Clifford chuckled. 81 Win. he
declared. And Linyard deep IN
perusal Of his letter conld only nod
assent. The eager face tnrnei TO
Clank aston ishment however as he
read. When he reached the faml.
lar signature he began and read it
all over again and burst out;
This is quite beyond me.
Amy way l can help old man
Llnyard thrust the letter in his
! hand and this iswhat Clifford read:
Baltimore, June IT,
Town June 5.
"My Dear Mr.. Liny ard-Forg,ve
me tor my refusal to answer you
when you did ne the honor a week
ago Of asking me to marry you,
| will have to explain the pecu.
lair position in which am placed
When | made my debut in society
'ast fall my aunt who as you has
been both tatherand mother to me
uadc me promise that would ac-
sept no proposal until the end Of my
first season and now that the sea-
8 ended find myself in a dilemma
There are seveu men among hon
really canrot decide. You are one
Of the seven.
! have therefore decided 10 leave
The decision III the hands OF fate
aud the enterprise of those who
seek my hand. amleaving on the
American liner today. and Twill ac-
cept the the first proposal TO reach
me iron one of the seven.
Letters similar to this will be
delivered half an hour after the
steamer sails TO the other six so
that you may all have an even
chance. 1t rests twith yon. Faith
lnliy yonrs,
JEANNETTE BURTON.
Clifford han led back the letter
with a low whistle. Can't say l
blame her much. though. he re.
marked. She was by tar the pref
tlest debutante OF the season. and
the chaps Of our set are 80 much
alike it's hard to-choose between
them. Going in to win?
Linyard nodded, then squared his /
reassurirgly as he said |
In golnr to cable Queenstown to
catch the steamer in the channel.
That will be nice returned Cliff.
ord comfortlngly, BY that time
.he will have had time to write let.
crs to four out Of the other five tell
ngtaem the lucky man got his
,'r"''ss telegram aboard at Nan
tucket.
lanyard grittcd his teeth. Then
nc turned to his friend desperately.
See here; I've simply got to get my
in first. How can l do it?'
But Clifford sat there in brown
,tudy. Suddenly his friends face
frightened. "Let US go Lluelishing
N the Aricl,' he said qli cklv. And |
"iford, with the light Of sudden un.
|crstanding on his face, nodded as
ISSent.
Late this afternoon there was a
'ommotion on the bridge Of the New
York. Not far ahead a schooner yacht
'ctcd as though beat on self-destruc-
ion by persistently getting in the
,ieamcr's way. The first officer reach
or the whistle cord.
AS the hoarse notes doomed out
cross the water the yacht displayed
lie signal flags Tor 81 want to speak
oyoi, and q minute later, with en-
yincs stopped, the huge steam cr lay
O.
"New York ahoy !" hailed the
'achtsman through the megaphone.
is Miss Burton on board?"
Th,rc was a wild scramble among
he passengers lining the rail. Present
y a slender girlish figure mounted
he bridge.
This Is Miss Burton" shouted
he first officer, indicating her with
'cr trumpet.
Clear and sharp camc back the
eply: "This is Mr.. Linyard. want
0 know if she will marry me-"
A cheer went up from the crowded
c:k. Then the answer rang back as
learly. "She says she will"
"Tell her ! leave on Saturdays
teamer. Thanks and go6dby."
A very much disgusted officer reach
d for the indicator and pulled it
iciously to "full speed ahead"
On deck the Ariel, Linyard turned
oyfulIy to his friend. "Jim, " he said
ervently, ''there are times when a
chooner yacht beats even wireless
Biography. Let's 20 below and Offer
p libation to my engagement"
The base ball club of Oriental
'ouncil defeated the Club of Dia-