Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-10-28
TWO
DISCOVERIES
By C. > E w 4 LII

M always wondering" remarked
Elva, reflectively, as she handed
me 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
even now consumed with the disquiet-
ing fever"
You're so fat" said Elva, disparag-
ingly.
NONSENSE" 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, resignedly, and pre-
pared to nibble judiciously Drowned
muffin; but really, Monty, youreElet
me see-40-you're independent, and
'm-"-she regarded me critically with
her head on one side-"passably good
looking; and yet you let pretty, nice,
suitable girls slip through your fingers
by dozens, because you're either too lazy
or too conceited to take sufficient inter-
est in them"
Don't lecture me-" pleaded-Elvai Is
prone to lectures; you're so dreadful
ly impulsive you know. AS matter Of
fact looked in this very afternoon on
purpose to tell you how-how abom-
inably in love I ami"
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 II she could detect any latent
humor in my countenance.
did not move muscle.
"If I were quite certain that you were
in earnest" she began, hesitatingly, and
I thought-though, Of course, l had no
business to think-that her voice was q
little unsteady, II should say how very
glad am"
please try and believe me-" pleaded
She studied my face as If undecided
what to do.
as it recent?" she asked at last
ut happened-yesterday," l con-
fessed. you remember, always prom.
Used that you should be the first tc
know whenever I really had anything
to tell, and was just going to begin
when you fell upon me-"
Yesterday" murmured Elva in evil
dent surprise. Then 1t must have beer
at Lady Follet's garden party"
nodded.
WAS 1t love at first sight, or had yot
seen her before?"
81 had seen her." I said, guardedly
"once or twice."
"Oh!" said Elva, and think sh,
flushed. Then, Of course. it's Molli,
Richards. I saw you talking to he
for ages in the rosary. She's a mic,
girl, believe, and I'm really awful.
glad. Monty-awfully" Somehow he
tone didn't carry the conviction it wa
doubtless intended to convey; l pre-
sumed it was because Miss Richards wa
never a very particular friend Of hers.
II suppose" she went on, you'll pro
pose at once. You're no need to wal
like most poor creatures"
II intend" I said. firmly, "to offe
myself with as little delay as possible
And you really don't mind my TAX
ing the privilege Of an old friend
very old friend-to ask you all thes
questions, do your"
mot the least in the world" said
graciously; I 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. d
you remember, for instance, asking m
at a schoolroom tea in your early yout
whether it was my intention to MARI
your fraulein or not?"
Elvas face frightened prompt.
. Rather" she said; land fraulei
Z turned all sorts Of colors, and toll
mother the next day that she woul
+ no longer stay with child so embal
. RAISING really think she had ter
t dresse for you, Monty"
8 Probably" agreed. MANY peopl
K have"
9 Don't be conceited." reprimande
I Elva; but tell me all about Moll
y Richards, and exactly what attracte
It you. Some people call her pretty. l.
| rather admire her myself only"
"Mollie Richards?" I inquired, wit
extreme innocence. who said an!
thing about Mollie Richards?"
"Why, you did, Of course, that is
5. say-yes-no. suppose you didn't, the
. why. did, suppose; but anyho
what's the good of cavilling about hel
1t is Mollie Richards, isn't it?"
81 wouldn't marry Mollie Richards
l said, decisively, "if they shot me fl
refusing!"
i Elva poured herself out some mo
, tea and-yes, 1t was not my imagin
} tion-her hand did shake, and 81
looked as If it would have been T
lief to her feelings to have launched Il
teapot at my head.
Monty, you are trying" she e
claimed upon my word you are! "
insist that you've come to tell me,
your best friend, that you've really foul
some one that you could care for