The evening Republican., 1902-06-09
BELLA'S BANK
HOLIDAY.

both. My name is Bella, or to write
in full it is. Isabel Atwood, my
age being just 90, and serve On
the drapery side ATS; while
JiIn--or James Hopcroft, as his full
name Sis in the upholstery of the
same blishment. We'd then
been engaged for about year, and
we love each other more than words
can tell
We'd arrange to go to Hastings,
and it was left as Jim should meet
me at Charing Cross Station on the
morning of that eventful Bank Hol
iday, at o'clock which he did, and
we went down by the early excur-
sion. As we travel. his manner to-
wards me was very tender and fond.
ling, as it always was. But some
how he seem rather down in the
mouth. and not quite like his usual
light-hearted self.
AT last, | couldnl help remark
ing M it.
What's up, Jim dear?" says.
"Nothlng," he answer rather
quick.like. as il he wish TO avoid
the subjecx.
"Oh! But it must be somethink,
says. 1--WE got a pair Of eyes,"
| saws, "Tcll me, bUy-is it the
ache. or a touch Of the FLU.
or WHAT"
"Really it Amt uothink." he
answer, not looking at me, how.
ever. but staring down hard aud
fixed at the new brown boots as
encased his Trilbys.
1t was just on IL as we run into
HASTINGS Terminus. Following
usual programme on such occasions
we so straight down TO the sea
front and .oIf it Tor a bit on the
Esplauadc.
BY the time as we'd done th, Es-
plauadc, it was getting Oh for one
o'clock And neither OF us having had
nolhink since our early breakfast,
except a RAnbury cake and an orange
in the tra'n--them not being things
as stands Cy you much-we was both
t0l-iol pcckisll. So Jim suggest max
ing tracts for an eatng-house, which
we did, and indulge in IL blowout Of
roast beef, with spring brOccoli and
new pcrLalers, followed Nv goose
berry pudding, rather sour and heavy
"a best English Chcd1ar, as they
/ call IL; though il it wasn't Canadian,
never put my teeth into none. And
for drink we spit large Guinness
Then Jim lit one of Tn. cigars I'd
! bought for him--liltccn pence The
half dvzcn and u cardboard case
thrown in me not generally paying
such cXlrnyagant prices; but WHIT
Monday is Whit Monday--and leanin
back in his chair, he remark, very
thoughtful and serious like:
at won It be loug NV before ware
tie up, Bella"
No, jim Imurmur, coloriny at
the mention of it, as Il well-brouyht
up girl should, mot long now,
dear
Il hope as you'll always love me-
Bella, rs much as you do now" he
proceeded, quite nervous and anX-
ions, AS it were.
"uf course | shall, JIM | cry,
feeling downright hurt at his even
linting at the possibility of any
thing different. You surely don't
doubt Il girl, do YOU"
NO, no." he says, quickly, mot
that. But from what I've heard,
marriage is bit Of an eve Opener,
Bella"
what do you mean, jim" cry.
You amt IL keeping nothink back
from me-no secret in your past life
what ] ought to be told, are you"
No, indeed. Nothlnk Of that sort,
he answer, growing rather red. But
they say as Il CURL never really know
Il chap iii she 'smarrcd TO him, and
we'll p'prls l'ma fool but you
! sets such a value on me that Pm
half afraid CT not coming up to sam
pie, HelIe.
| Then see how it was 1t was all
his modesty. And lanswer smiling
| Don't be afraid. dear old bry,
Your re the rights crt Of goods, you
are tain on both sides. No cotton
back about you Jim. And hopes
as youIl lind me equal sound stun.
| by and by we stroll out again.
And as we come opposite the Queen S
llotel, they was ust lcadin' up the
AOcrtinc for Il trip, And Jim, he
says 10 me. What price sail