The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-03-21

down.
An informal meeting of the society
for First Aid to the Injured took
place at the scene If Mr.. Dunn's eff
fective entree. Miss Browne flew to
the rescue, and with the aid of her
guests extinguished the blazing oil,
raised the ~cornice, u~nwrapped the
portieres, and revealed the form of
Mr.. Dunn in a striking imitation Of
the Dying Gladiator.
There was no doubt that Mr..
Dunn's first appearance had made a
sensation. But, after all, the little
accident only served to exhibit the
Igracious tact and delicacy of Miss
Browne; for after the first natural
surprise at the unusual debut of her
guest, the gentle hostess recovered
her composure, and soon restored
the conventional and charming tone
of her reception.
The acquaintance, after Mr.. Dunn
and Miss Browne had thus been
thrown together, proceeded with all
desired rapidity to ripen into a close
friendship. In fact, the stage of
mere friendship did not last long so
far as Mr.. Dunn was concerned.
Finding Miss Browne to be quite as
charming as report had made her,
and also sincere and womanly, Mr..
Dunn once more yielded to an at
traction as irresistible as gravitation
had been, and fell deeply in love with
the beautiful Miss Browne.
1t was long before Miss Browne
could forget that instantaneous snap
shot of Mr.. Dunn's meteoric entrance,
but she was too well bred to betray
by any outward sign that the farci-
cal incident had made more than a
momentary impression.
No need to chronicle the progress
of Mr.. Dunn's courtship. 1t led to
the inevitable proposal.
Late one afternoon Mr.. Dunn called,
and in a little room back of that
which had been the scene of his first
appearance, he at last mustered cour-
age to put the question that was to
, bring JOY or despair.
Miss Browne was troubled, Mr..
Dunn's heart sank when he saw her
distress, but he was a manly fellow,
and believed hat he could bear a re-
fusal.
HaltfngIy, kindly, but with decision,
Miss Browne at last gave her an
swer. Then, having made her refusal
, as c~onsiderate as tact could make it,
, she looked pleadingly at her lover,
She was amazed to see the change in
! his expression. Unfortunately, she
had said something about certain
scenes she could never forget" and
: this, in his nervous state of mind
had angered him.
miss Browne" he began, in a voice
that was very different from his soft
~pleadings, certainly neither of us
! can ever forget that by an unfor'
tunate accident 1 entered upon 'OuI
! acquaintance as a Tom-fo0l clown en-
= ters a circus ring. But / had thought
you too sensible, too noble a woman
= to be influenced by a trife that
: might weigh'with a ChUckle-headet
= boarding-school miss. If you have
= been unable to, forget that bit o.
~ lie, I count myself fortunate il
hg refused by you. No!-dO no
a word! If my entrance was
.r lie, my exit shall have d~ignity-tht
ity of a mans sorrow. You viii
r see me again. FAREWELL"
s had spoken so rapidly that sht
ain tried to interrupt. And now
Ing up his hat and cane, he re
ed his last word: Farewell
,er!" Then, turning with a trul,
C air of despair, he opened
and slammed it hastily behinC
fortunately Mr.. Dunn had beef
eeply interested in his own feel
that he had not exactly takel
bearings. Just behind him werD
doors that were much alike il
ard seeming; but while one LEI
the outer corridor, and would
Be have ushered him into a bleal
~iesolate world, for which he wa
prepared, the other was tn
to a sort of strong room, wher
Brownies family kept their plat
sther valuables. This door, whic
lust aiar, fastened with a sprin
and the key was in the custod
/. Browne.
Dunn was unlucky enough t
e for his dramatic departur
Dor of the silver closet, an
he slammed the door to emph'
is exit he only emphasized HI
.onment; for, with a metall
lie, the spring bolt shot int
and he was as safely locked L
family silver.
Henry, what have you donei
ned Miss Browne, hystericall,
n laughter and tears.
ned if 1 know!'' came throug
son door. MADE a fool of m!
usual, I suppose"
we must get you out!" sh
"I'm afraid youn smother.
MT care if I dol" was the de-
response. IF you won't MARI
just as soon die here as an
you needn't be so d~ownhearted.
up. won't have you feel so blue" sal
ito Miss Browne. 'Tll-yes, I'll MARI
on YOU, if you Hke-you foolish fellow
sh- Now, will you be p~atient?"
- 49, - ~ r - --S-L 7 vwu