Democratic messenger., 1903-04-25


nasty hacc:dent haf:er luncheon to-
day. sir: ne fell down stairs. sir. and
damaged himself rather serious. He's
now confined TO his Led. sir. but he'll
see You. he told me. though he's in
too much pain 20 see no one hclse. And
| do 'oDc as you'll iadoOcc him 10 see
doctor. sir; which I've been wanting
20 send fer one hall this hafte:aoon.
But Ae won't let me. He's very obsti-
nate Al tines. is Mr. Philip. Will you
steD this Wy. sir?''
Libstocll stepped that way. which
was up to G.xoa's bedroom. lie found
his friend in bed. looking very much
shaken.
"Awfuiiy sorry to hear Of yo.r acci-
dent, Old man" lie said 4 hope it's
nothing serious
'No-c-c. say. is the door shut"
demanded Dixon. in q hcarsa whisper
Li5stock replied n the affirmative.
Il must tell you the truth" sail
| Dixon. who Was evidently in d state
of extreme agitation. I'm not hurt 4
bit. My accident was all 4 sham But
that's quite minor matter. Libstock.
IN awful-a terrible thing has hap
pened. Miss Vining has accepted me"
Accepted you?" cried Libstccl;.
turning as pale as death.
Yes. she has accepted me. in spite
of my reduced fortunes II appears
that she has been in love with me
! for long while. wish to heaven |
had known it before was fool enough
10 write TO her. But there's her let
ter. Read it for yourself"
He tossed il over to Libstock. who
took it up in his trembling fingers.
AID read this:
My Dear Mr.. DiXoa-Your letter
has made me very happy. have cared
for you-you can't think how long and
how truly. Please come ard sec me
II once. Your loving MABEL"
Its an awful rosition-isn't it,"
calculated DiXoa. wiping the peyspira-
ton from his forehead. Yea can't
think what my feelings We're when
| that letter came. CT course. il Was
ont of tAe question ohat could go and
see her. So made a show of falling
down stairs ard lGm:ng myself IN or
der that might be confined TO my
bed and thus debarred from all pos
sible chance of AZ interview. while |
am turning over in my mind what is
10 be done to escape from this ter, ible
situation"
Just then came a loud ring at the
front door bell
That's she know it's She Dix
on almost shrieked. so great was his
agitation. Don't let her come up
here. won't see her u
Libstock went to the door There
stood Mrs. Blake. bearing a note upon
n salver.
It's from her" he said. How well
! / know her dear writing. Another
! love letter. Oh. Dixon," with 4 deep
drawn groan) If only You had the
sense 10 know your Cw2 luck"
My Dearest One--i ar, 50 grieyed TO
hear Of your accident. Mamma says
shall she come and nurse you? Your
devoted MABEL"
Luck? Do you call this luck?"
calculated Dixon. almost beside him
self with agitation. Here. give me
paper and pencil. quick. and that copy
OF the Field 10 write upon. Come and
nurse ne. indeed. | must put a stop
per on that a. once. Let me see.
What lie can tell? All. have it,"
And he hastily scribbled these
words:
1t is too sweet Of yoGr dear moth
er. But ! already have two trained
nurses. And the doctor says he won't
answer for my life if am allowed to
see any one. Your affectionate
PHILIP"
This mendacious epistle. after being
duly sealed up in an envelope. was
handed to Mrs. Blake for delivery to
the young pusson." who was waiting
for the hanswer"
Shortly afterwards I.ibstock. in tho
depths Of gloom and despair. took his
departure. leaving the unfortunate
Dixon TO bear his situation as best
he might. lie had got his friend into
the hole. But he did not appear to
feel that there was any obligation on
his part 10 get him cut of ii again.
He was thinking only of himself and
his own departed dream OF happiness.
No such selfish being on the earth az
4 disappointed lover.
Dixon remained in his bedroom for a
week. during which he had notes daily
from Mabel Vining. each Of which rem
dered him more frantic than the last
lie must write and tell her the truth
resembling all former fairy tales He
dared not. lie must. Al last ne ne-ved
himself 10 write the difcalt letter
1t will he fearful blow TO her" he
soiiloqui2ed. She will say-and tru-
ly-that | have behaved awfully bad
ly hope il won't break her heart /
dread receiving her reply more than 1
can say
Break her heart, Not bit of it.
Hiss Winnings reply was of the mos;
cheerfI. description. Here ii is in cx-
,cnso:
My Dear Mr. Dixon-ii's al right.
Don't aDolcciZe MIR. l.ibsfo.k wa