The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-02
TWO DISCOVERIES.

Pm always wondering remarked
my second cup of tea, when you're
really going to fall in love, and
Don't be too hasty.' I interrupted,
as I assisted myself to sugar; perhaps
I'm even now consumed with the dis
quieting fever"
You're so fat said Elva. disparag-
ingly.
"Nonsenser l protested. Simply
well covered. Why, my tailor altered
my measurements only yesterday
'Oh, of course if you won't be seri-
GUS" she sighed, resignedly, and pre-
pared to nibble a judiciously Drowned
muffin; but really, Monty, you're-let
me see-4o-you're independent, and
'um"-she regarded me critically
with her head on one side-'passabl bly,
good looking; and yet you let pretty,
nice, suitable girls slip through your
fingers by dozens. because you're eth
er too lazy or too conceited to take suf-
fcient interest in Them
Don't lecture me-" I pleaded-Elva
is prone to lectures; you're so dread
fully impulsive, you know AS a mat
noon on purpose to tell you how-how
abominably in love I amir
Something in my tone must have
struck her as unusual The muffin
pended while she surveyed me intently
presumably to see if she could detect
any latent humor in my countenanco
1 did not move a muscle.
IF was quite certain that you were
in earnest" she began, hesitatingly
and L thought-though, of course, had
no business to think-that her voice
was little unsteady, Il should say
how very glad / am"
please try and believe mel pleaded.
She studied my face as if undecided
what to do.
rs it recent?'' she asked, at last.
how r7axr oil
9 You remember, 1 always promised that
you should be the first to know when
ever really had anything to tell, and
1 was just going to begin when you fell
upon me-"
Yesterday murmured Elva, in evil
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?''
Il had seen her." I said, guardedly,
"once or twice.
"Oh!' said Elva, and I think she
flushed. Then, of course, it's Mollie
Richards. 1 saw you talking to her for
ages in the rosary. She's a nice girl,
believe, and I'm really awfully glad,
Monty-awfully. Somehow her tone
didn't carry the conviction it was
doubtless intended to convey;I presum-
ed it was because Miss Richards was
never very particular friend of hers.
II suppose she went on, you'll pro-
like most poor creatures"
Il intend I said, firmly, ito offer
myself with s little delay possible
And you really don't mind my TAX
ing the privilege of an old friend-a
very old friend-to ask you all these
questions, do your"
mot the least in the world" said
graciously; II expected them"
What do you mean by that?" she in
CURED, with suspicion.
Nothing. eXc0nt that VOII'Ea cate-
chised me about my matrimonial pros
poets ever since you could toddle. Do
you remember, for instance, asking me
at 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; land FrauIein
turned all sorts of colors, and told
mother the next day that she really
would no longer stay with a child so
embarrassing. I really think she had
a tenderness for you, Monty
Probably, L agreed. Many peo-
pie have"
Don't be conceited!" reprimanded
E1va; but tell me all about Mollie
Richards, and exactly what attracted
you. Some people call her pretty, II
rather admire her myself, only"
'Mollie Richards?'' 1 inquired, with
extreme innocence. "Who said any
thing about Mollie Richards
why, you did, of course-that is to
l.
then=why, 1 did, I suppose; but any
how what's the good of cavilling about
her? 1t is MolIie Richards, isn't it %
'I wouldn't marry Mollie Richards. u
said, decisively, IF they shot me for
refusingi"
Elva poured herself out some more
tea, and-yes, it was not my magma
tion-her hand did shake. and sh e
looked as if it would have been a 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 ito tell me as
your oldest friend that you've really
found some one that you could care for
at last, and then you sit and twist your
and make me guess all the
wrong people, and"
81 never made you guess any one 1
said, Indignantly, removing my hand
from my upper lip with jerk. II
merely informed you that l fell in love
yesterday. I suppose there's no objec-
ton to that? And when you suggested
that it happened at Lady Toilets, Il
agreed
feWell,'' said Elva, in a judicial tone,
syou didn't stay more than three
quarters of an hour. Directly you ar
rived you took me to see the aviary,
and the rest of the time you spent in
the rosary with Mollie Richards"
eff I'd known you were watching
my movements so carefully" l be-