Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-28
TWO DISCOVERIES
By c. s F w E LL


 e4 M always wondering" remarked
 l Elva, refiectively as she handed ne my second cup of tea, when you're really going to fall in love, and"
 Don't be too hasty,' interrupted, as assisted myself to sugar; perhaps I'm Ing fever"
 You're so fat" said Elva, disparag Engly.
 "Nonsense!" I protested. Simply we'll covered. Why, my tailor altered my measurements only yesterday!"
 "Oh, of course, if you won't be seri- ous,' she sighed, resegnedly, and pre- pared to nibble judiciously Drowned muffin; "but really, Monty, you're-let me see-40-you're independent, and 'm-'-she regarded me critically with her head on one side-'sp spassably good looking; and yet you let pretty, nice, suitable girls slip through your fingers by dozens, bSeause you're either too lazy or too conceited to take sufficient inter- est in them"
 Don't lecture me-" pleaded -Elvais prone to lectures; you're so dreadful ly impulsive, you know. As a matter of fact looked in this very afternoon on purpose to tell you how-how abom- inably in love am!'
 Something in my tone must have struck her as unusual. The muffin, like Mahomet,s coffin, remained suspended while she surveyed me intently, presum- ably to see if she could detect any latent humor in my countenance.
 I did not move muscle.
 eff were quite certain that you were in earnest, she began, hesitatingly, and thought though of course, had no business to think--that her voice was little unsteady, T should say how very glad I am,
 Please try and believe me," pleaded.
 She studied my face as if undecided what tofdo.
 .'Is 1t recent?" she asked at last
 Tt happened-ye yesterday" con- fessed. You remember, Ialways prom ised that you should be the first to know whenever I really had anything to tell, and I was just going to begin when you fell upon me-
 .Yesterday?" murmured Elva, in evs- dent surprise. Then it must have been at Lady Toilets garden party
 nodded.
 Was it love at first sight, or had you seen her before?"
 s"I had seen her. said, guardedly. "once or twice. [
 "Oh!" said Elva, and think she flushed. Then, of course, it's Mollie Richards cn un.r fo 1Iyir,c %r hnx. for ages in the rosary. She's nice girl, I believe, and I'm really awfully glad, Monty awfully. z Somehow her tone, didn't carry the conviction 1t was doubtless intended to convey; I pre- sumed it was because Miss Richards was never very particular friend of hers.
 T suppose" she went on, you'll pro- pose at once. You're no need to wait like most poor creatures"
 "I intend" I said, firmly, "to offer myself with as little delay as possible"
 And you really don't mind my talk ing the privilege of an old frienda questions, do you?"
 'sNot the least in the world I said, graciously; expected them,'
 What do you mean by that?" she in- quired, with suspicion.
 Nothing, except that you're cate- chised me about my matrimonial pros poets ever since you could toddle. Do you remember, for instance, asking me at a schoolroom tea in your early youth whether it was my intention to marry your fraulein or not?"
 Elva's face frightened promptly "Rather!" she said; "and frauIein turned all sorts of colors, and told mother the next day that she would no longer stay with a child so embar- rassing.' really think she had a ten- dresse for you, Monty"
 Probably I agreed. Many people have"
 Don't be conceited," reprimanded Elva; "but tell me all about Mollie Richards, and exactly what attracted you. Some people call her pretty, r. 1 I rather admire her myself only---''
 "Mollie Richards?" I inquired, with extreme innocence. Who said any thing about Mollie Richards ?'' 1 Why, you did, of course, that is to say -yes-no, suppose you didn't, then why, did, suppose; but anyhow what's the good of cavilling about her: It is Mollie Richards. isn't it?"
 II wouldn't marry Mollie Richards 2 1 I said, decisively, eff they shot me for refusing!"
 Elva poured herself out some more l tea, and--yes, it was not my imagina- 1 tion-her hand did shake, and she looked as if it would have been re- lief to her feelings to have launched the teapot at my head.
 Monty. you. are trying" she ex- claimed; "upon my word you are! You insist that you've come to tell me, as your best friend, that you've really found some ore that you could care for at last, and then you sit and twist your mustache and make me guess all the wrong people, and" i "I never made you guess anyone" said, indignantly, removing my hand from my upper lip with jerk. There