Democratic messenger., 1903-04-25
PHILIP DIXON'S GAME LEG.


a
sunbeam: and-a thing which is per-
haps rather unusual in pretty girls
her disposition correspCnded to her
appearance.
OF iae three men who were reported
to be in the running for her affections
Philip Dixon had $500 per annum;
Walter I.ibstock, Gl000: Alfred Her.
bert, goo. Girs. ViEing regarded them
in that order valuing them by the pc
cuniary standard. Mabers standard
was the amatory standard. One of
the three she loved. For the other
two, except as friends. she cared not
a rap But she hal not YET declared
her preference ior the favored one.
She wished first OF all 10 bring her
mother roaId 10 her own way of think
ing
"Dixca. nay boy" cried the love-
crazed L!bstcck. "i!fe is Impossible fer
me without that divine angel. II
tanrot win her for my wife. shall
certainly so mad. or die. o. both"
Dixon was iind-hearted man. who
was readily touched by the sight OF
distress and woe. So that. instead of
saying 10 the distracted lover. Don't
be fool" or Die. then, and have
done with ii he answered. sympathet-
lcally: I'm &wfully sorry for you. old
man. Have you proposed. may | ask.
and been refused. Or
Proposed? No. indeed" retorted
LibstCck, half fercely. What's the
use OF ny proposing as long as you
arc hanging about after herr"
Il? What the deuce 10 you mean?
have never thought OF Miss Vlning in
that way, nor. am sure. has she OF
me-" exclaimed Dixon in great aston
ishmenf.
Herbert came TO see NE this morn
ing and told ne something very par
ticular Herbert was good enough TO
say continued Libztcck. that as he
could not wiz Miss Vining and Eappi
ness himself. and that rs she had as
sured him in the most candid manner
that there was TO possible chance Of
his ever doing So. he would rather
see me marry her than anybody else
and that was why he had come ard
recommended me TO press my suit;
which. considering that he himself
had been rejected. was most handsome
and generous OF him. Don't you think
so?
u DO. indeed. Libstock There's not
one rejected su!tor in thousand who
would be man enough 10 do such a
III.
ically.
But Herbert said-and quite agree
with hiiI." went on LibstocS. fixing
his solemn. gloomy eyes upon the
Others face. that you are the obsla-
Gle. and that until yoI are ont of the
way. Mrs. Vining will not let Mabel
accept re"
'Psha. my dear fellow Miss N.-.ng
has never thought of regarding me il
the light of a lover, as I have already
told YOU
Bat. as /. also. have already told
you. Mrs. Vining has. There's the
crux. And so. IT, Herbert's advice.
I've cor!e 10 you as To true friend
and thorough good fellow. 10 seek
your kindly cooperation. Dixon" (his
voice suddenly took a tone Of p:teous
appeal, ''ycu don't love her She's
nothing 10 yol. It-it-won't be any
grief TO you TO have your proposal re-
fused"
My proposal?" calculated the
amazed Dixon.
''Oh. DIXON. my true friend. my dear
friend. my best of pals. couldn't you.
for my sake. in order to ensure my
life-lcng happiness-to say nothing OF
hers-couldn't' you. oh. couldn't you.
write and ask her to marry you. add
ing that you had lately experienced
heavy losses. tnat your income was
now reduced TO only c 500 a year. but
that you-you-loveG her very dearly.
and hoped that she would overlook
your poverty. and become your wife:
or course. she'd refuse you: and under
the circumstances described in your
letter. her mother would back her up
in her refusal. So the ground would
be cleared for me. And all would
come right" cried Libsiock. his face
flushed and his eyes burning with
eager excitement
Dixon tried to resist But the 9TH
er's eager insisteace carried him of
his feet.
And at length he was induced or
rather | should say. impelled against
his will by the lovers resolute deter
! minotion. TO write the letter 1t ran
as follows:
My Dear Miss Vining-I write ta
ell you that | am very deeply at
ached TO yoI, and to ask you tc
AIRY me- | ought to say that | have
tely had heavy losses and my income
now reduced 10 about $500 = year
{ If you return my affection. as
ne5tiy hope you do. believe that
can be happy even upon e5O0 q
:. | await your reply in great sus-
2. Yours most sincerely.
PHILIP DIXON"
st afternoon. ar about o'clo K
)ck locked in on Philip Dixon I,
lether Miss Winnings refusal wa.
hand. Dixoa's housekeeper