Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-03-27

he BUrsT INTO ROAR OF LAUGHTER.
erclslng his authority over her that lie
felt that what she needed was "A good
old fashioned scolding.
81 beg your pardon" said Strong with
great assumption OF dignity, but
object to having you refer TO Miss RAN
dali in such terms"
"By what right?" asked Kennedy In
an exaspcrating tone.
"The right Of an afiianced husband"
said Strong rashly.
Since whenE: asked Kennedy in
tones still more exasperating.
"Since this morning"
"Thcn YOU have seen her this morn
ingf"
mo, but | had proposed to her, and
this morning got this note" And lie
handed il over to Harry with an exult-
Ing chuckle.
The quick witted Harry read the few
lines that his rival showed him because
the natural meanness OF his disposition
made him want to gioat over him
whom he had defeated As he read his
eye rested for moment on the date
line and then a great inspiration came
TO him. He burst into a roar OF laugh
ter that attracted the attention OF the
other diners in the restaurant and
made Strong pale with anger.
"Why-why," stammered the self
CONSCIOUS hypocrite. what do you find
so funny in that letterf
How many hats with bricks In them
did you Kick on your way down town."
/ Harry asked, while his eyes sparkled
/ with laughter.
what do you meanT
"Have you picked up any purses with
/ strings tied to themf"
What are you driving atf'
Have you overlooked the fact that
! this is April fools day and that this
note was written so that you would get
| II today?"
/ Strong's face turned positively green,
and his attempt TO poohpooh Harry's
| insinuation was a fiat failure. He sud
/ denly recalled all the practical jokes
that May had ever played on him. but
]
spired by Harry.
well, you are easy" said Harry.
| Now, | suppose you intend going up
there tonight TO let her say April fool
| TO you. | have no doubt 1t would in
terest' you, as she says"
But you surely don't think" said
| Strong nervously, that Miss Randall
would jest with so sacred a subject"
"My dear fellow, that only goes to
show how little you know OF Miss Ran.
| dali"
"But-but'-
Harry saw that he had his rival dis
tressed and resumed the attack on 9th
| er lines
IF you have the nerve to 90 up and
call on Miss Randall tonight in the
face Of that, I'll buy you the best din
ner in town tomorrow"
WHO said was going to call on her
tonight" exclaimed Strong hotly as
be flung himself out Of the restaurant.
well, that puts him out of the way
for awhile" said Harry to himself.
wild horses wouldn't drag him up
there tonight"
Early that evening Miss Randall was
| shocked to be informed that Harry
Kennedy was In the parlor waiting for
| her to come down.
| what impudencew she exclaimed.
But that will give me an excuse to
give him such dismissal as he de-
serves"
When May entered the parlor with
all the dignity she could assume, Har-
ry greeted her with a teasing laugh
and cried:
"April fool-'
"sir" she exclaimed frigidly. Harry
laughed more loudly than before.
"Oh, you needn't think" he said,
"that you could steal march on me
like that. didn't overlook the fact
that this is April fools day, and your
little joke about giving me the mitten
is no good"
But meant every word of it,! she
cried angrily.
well, l haven't accepted it, and
that's where April fool you"
May Hounced across the room, too
angry to make any reply.
You see, if you hadn't tried to April
fool Strong, too, wouldn't have tried
to get back at you"
Il April fool Will Strongw she cried.
What do you mean"
you sent him an April fool accept
ance of his proposal, didn't your"
Il did no such thing. sent him an
honest acceptance, and if you were a
gentleman you would not stay where
you are not wanted. He may be here
any minute"
Begging your pardon, madam, Will
Strong will not be here this evening.
Do you suppose he wants to give you a
chance to laugh at him? l assure you
he Is too sensitive for that"
"How do you know SO much about
what he thinksT'
I'VE had lunch together today, and
he showed me your note.'
And he believes l wrote 1t as an
April fool joker