Middletown transcript., 1902-04-12

what dOcS IL tzihttcf ~ PSeksS
as the train pulled off ! threw irali'i
kisses to her. Then, noticing with con
tempt the curious glances Of the yarlo''
loiterers at the railway station, hurried
back TO my Office.
The fact is, had little scheme Q
nv own. / would finish all my wor'
that afternoon and take the 5.ls tran
to Lakewood, and so hare an extra even
ing with Beulah. An engaged man /
magnificent as strategist. As hurried
along missing about the week We wer
to have together the golf, the rides
the multitudinous unimportant yet fss
cinating occupations of engaged and fool
ish persons-I determined that nothing
should hold me back.
When / arrived at the office, fount
my brother Theodore waiting for me
There were some family difficulties
matter only I could attend to; h'
had come all the way from college. anc
it was imperative that l go to Boston
at Ionce. / fumed for while, but it wa'
no use. I saw that / had to go-eveE
anlengaged man has engagements. Still
I figured that could get to Lakewood
by Wednesday evening; and that would
leave half week. But think of Beulal
with only her mother and her aunt.
Ali there was Theodore.
Theodore is a nice boy. He is nine,
teen and is a sophomore at Amherst
We are an Amherst family; every Am
herst man has heard of my father
Tompkins, '69. am '95 man. Theo.
dore is great satisfaction to me. Pve
had great deal to do with his bringing
up. It was l who decided what school
he was to 60 to; it was who insisted
he should not waste his time taking
piano lessons Though the lad has unde-
niable talent), but steered him straight
to the tinkling mandolin, which is 30
good an accompaniment to hammock.
But aside from all this, there is another
reason why he is great source of COM
fort to me; for when ask people whether
I do not look like Teddy, they quite
often admit certain resemblance; and
Teddy is unquestionably deyilish well
set up sort Of lad.
It was, I think, good idea to send
Teddy; for he could entertain Beulah;
and, besides, I wanted my people to
know her. Bnt as I consider the matter
now, must confess-though in the end
no harm was done-that it was perhaps
a mistake in me not to mention the
engagement.
Ted" said l, 'T was intending to run
down to Lakewood for couple of days;
if you'd like to act as my substitute, /
think you'll pass the time pleasantly"
Of course he would do anything to
oblige his brother-Theodore is the soul
of amiability-but who was the particu-
lar girl? For there is always some par
ticular girl, lie said.
There is no particular GIRL" / replied;
but here's note to Miss Hastings, who,
believe, happens to be at Lakewood"
"What! Beulah?" exclaimed Ted.
THAT is her Christian name, l am
informed" said 1.
'sThey say she's peach," said Ted
Il am greatly averse to slang, but he
insists on using it). '1'll do my best as
your substitute, Jack. I've heard lot
about her. In fact, I've great curiosity
to meet her,"
sYou needn't do too well," answered
gruffiy.
'tIt will only be as substitute" said
he conciliatingly.
you'd better remember that, young
ster.''
But" ventured Ted, ''isn't she rather
Nothing of the Sort" I snapped.
Lively" Ted concluded.
"Beulah is one of my best friends,
Teddy" said I; ''and the finest girl in
the world
"Come now, old man, you always say
hat. Do you remember Daisy-Daisy
Martini" And the boy poked me un-
ieelingly in the ribs. Unfortunately, l
lid remember Daisy.
Seriously, Theodore" eaid 1, II want
Tou to 60 down there and behaved take
Ter mother driving; play anagrams with
Ter aunt; Teddy groaned; land look out
or Beulah."
When he had gone / felt some mis-
,iyings. Perhaps l ought to hare told
him. But somehow man leses his nerve
when he wants to tell his family that he
las become engaged to the loveliest girl
n all the world.
So Teddy went to Lakewood and
vent to Boston.
Monday evening l received q letter
rom Beulah.
There was good deal about Teddy,
md all in the same strain.
! replied that l should, in all proba.
,ility, be with her by Thursday noon; |
nd that she bad better not say anything
bout our engagement just yet. | re-
ssured her about Teddy, and told her |
70 always behaved so to a pretty girl, |
o she, of all girls, must expect it; and |
hat it was no harm.
Wednesday morning received another |
from Beulah. 1t was |
considerably shorter It was, in fact |
. telegram. These were its contents: !
Ted proposed. Please come at once. .
NE sat oncen were underlined. II is |
he only time / ever knew telegraph |
flee to do that. But no doubt Beulah |
new telegraph operator at Lakepsod.
seulah has way with. her. Much |
unused (for Ted had certainly not lott
red), sent q telegram TO say I wa,
oming, and, having finished my busi- !;
less at noon, returned to my hotel. An !,
ther telegram awaited me. Twas from |
ed. Proposed to Beulah. Sure she
Fill accept me. Wish me luck, Jack. /
Z0u are right; she il tile finest that