The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-04-17

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"And prepare the way"
Decidedly" said. But be careful,
Fan; she is so proud, you know"
Il will be very careful" she said,
thoughtfully. 81 will see her to-mor-
row, and you will write to her to-mor-
row night"
Three evenings afterwards 1 called
on my cousin again.
'Well?" she cried. elias she-has
She
''She has" 1 said.
"What?" she gasped Cant you
speak plainly, you idiot? Has she done
it?'
'She has" I said, calmly.
Cousin Fanny sat down and laughed
"a little Historically, feared. She
looked charming.
! Don't take on so, Fan" | said; 81
can bear it. 1 am sure you did your
BEST
She smiled curiously. Women think
smiling curiously makes them look as
knowing as a fellow.
What did Marion say?' she asked.
"She- But it's of no consequence"
said.
Cousin Jack" said Fanny, "let me
| light you a cigarette. l don't mind the
smoke, you know. What did Marion
say?"
well, she said that fellow who
could write such a letter to girl must
be Oh, hang it!'
! EETSn't II n roOd ono ." ;p,,,;roJ Tor
There are some good cigars in the cab
met. Let me get you one. Must be
what?'
Either a perfect cad or a perfect
fool!"
"Such a coarse way of putting
things!" murmured Fan.
And" l resumed, "she led me to
understand that she didn't intend to
enter into smatrimony with one or
the other, even though he were as
rich as a Rothschild."
"She is so very particular" purred
Fan. what else, Jack?"
1T was about the ring" I said,
glumly. you see, l forgot to take it
Wien | left you the other night"
"Oh!" she gasped. 81 quite forgot.
Here it isl"
put it in my pocket.
What did she say about that?"
Fan asked.
Il will not tell you, Fan, what she
said about that" l said, decidedly.
Il saw it lying on the mantel-
piece" she said, looking at me from
the corner of her eye, land slipped
it on just to see the diamonds SPAR
lIle. Then some one rang the bell;
it was Marion; and in the hurry /"
Just So" l interrupted, you for
got"
and did she dare
''She did," l said.
poor boy!" murmured Fan. And
you stammered, and were confused?"
Il did-was," l said.
CAS- if you had really given me the
ring! The ideal"
Fan came and sat beside me. She
was beautifully dressed; it must have
cost a heap of money.
'You won't take toto drink, Jack,
or anything DREADFUL"
l assured her it was not my inten-
ton.
You see" she said tenderly, 81
shouldn't like to think anybody was
unhappy just now"
"Why?" | asked.
Because l think, Jack, I shall soon
be h-happy myself, you know"
| think | went very white.
Fan" l said, authoritatively,
''where are you going to-night?"
Up she said. oh, I'm going to the
opera!"
with that artist puppy" 1 said,
sternly.
with Mr.. Griffin-yes," she said,
coldly-"at least, 1 promised"
L noticed that she had gone very
pale.
'And that little beggar will sit by
you all night, and jaw about his
wretched daubs! He-he'1 put your
cloak on afterwards, and-well, he's
cad enough even to propose!"
l moved closer up to her.
''What of it?" she said. "You
wouldn't care!"
Il should care very much" l said,
putting my arm around her.
Not about me-" she said, in a pc
culiar tone.
at wouldn't be right at all, Fan,
to carry on like that"
81 knew you didn't" she said.
Didn't what?" asked.
"Care-for mel"
She tried to draw away, but 1 tight
ened my arm. also whispered some
thing in her ear.
"You-you really do, Jack?"
Her ear was not far distant, so I
whispered again. Then l drew her to
me, and looked full in her eyes. They
fairly glittered.
1t was late when L took my leave.
When a little way down the street
l remembered l had not given my
cousin the ring, so turned back.
She was still sitting by the fire. To
my establishment, she was crying
softly. Her tears fell upon some
ching which lay in her lap; it was an
opera ticket.
Good gracious!" she cried; you