The midland journal., 1904-06-17
/ MYNHEER JOE.
SSssSssSsSsSSssS
BY ST. GEORGE RATHBoRNE.
SSssssssSSSSSSSS
CorYR1e

/
.To perdition with such gossipsr"
, roars Joe.
Exactly my feelings; but that does
not mend matters a particle. The Other
thing is what has Influenced Molly
most" continues Mr.. Grimes.
"Well, what is the tenor of that?'
"You will forgive me If am per-
sonal?"
'Of course"
"Then bark to the words Of a man
whose business it has been for years
to read human nature, until from ex
perience 1t has become very much like
an open book to him. The hour that
Molly learned the truth and knew the
man who saved her from the cruel
! waters of the Mediterranean at Malta
was no other than he whom she
sought, the heir to vast estates-then
she suddenly awoke to the conscious.
ness of the fact that she loved him."
"God grant itw almost whispers Joe.
"Her maidenly modesty put her oil
guard lest she betray her secret. That
IS all. Be the man in love you have
been in battle, Mynheer Joe; walk
, right up to the cannon's mouth. and
the prize Is yours"
81 WILL" responds Joe, with sudden
determination. "And yet. hang it ALL
Grimes, you don't know what queer
feeling comes over me whenever
start to tell of my love and look up
into MolIy's bright eyes. Somehow
of themselves. But see here, what did
you mean about the baron getting
ahead of ne: Was that letter from
him?" with a fierce frown.
SIT was, offering his hand and heart,
not to speak of his estates. ut the feet
of the queen of beauty whom we know
as Molly Tanner
Mynheer Joe looks serious.
"That was eonfounded neat trick
of his--proposng right under my nose.
But l don't imagine he has any show.
DO you, Grimes?"
"None at all, assure you," with n
grin at the anxiety apparent in Joe's
voice.
'She knows him too well. Thank
Heaven, there are some sensible
American girls who will not sell them
selves for titler'
"Why, old Tanner tells me she has
had proposals from Sir Hugh Tre-
lawny and Lord Arthur Stanhope. She
hna 9 10
them! Think of it, man"
"God bless her! She's worth the
winning! And you think Pm safe, old
fellow?"
you've got the inside track, unless
you let it go too long. In matters Of
this kind delays are. always danger
ous."
"Well, so long"
"Hold on, my friend; where away?"
"To find Molly; to tell her what a
blockhead I am, and ask her to take
me in hand" responds the man of ac-
tion. at which his companion bursts
into roar.
"Time enough for that. Joe. Don't
do it in an abrupt way. Watch your
opportunity, man. The women-bless
Unlike to he wooed and won in the
proper way. Many a girl has been
frightened into saying no when she
meaEt yes by the awful abruptness
of her lovers proposal. Besides, am
just getting to business. Sit down and
behave yourself"
81 suppose 1 must. but it's too bad
1 can't put my fate up to the test, now
that 1 am all worked up. Ten to one
when the chance comes again I'll prove
to be a miserable coward" mutters
Mynheer Joe. who is developing some
new and singular traits of late.
Mr.. Grimes taps the foretinger OF
his right hand upon the palm of his
left, as IL to give an expression and
force to his words.
although this proposal of the bar
on's was apparently couched in ele-
CANT language, there was threat be-
hind 1t. He says"
"Whatv cries Joe. "He dares threat
en- Molly, the miserable hound"
Even so. I don't know but that
it is the custom In his country when
man Of the nobility deigns to propose
to one beneath him in their social
rank. The Russians have peculiar
ways as well as the Turks and Arabs
At any rate. this man has avowed to
make Molly Tanner his wife, and
means to raise Cain IL she will not
consent to become a baroness. He
seems to consider it an honor to have
asked her, and takes it for granted
she will accept in spite of her father
or any one else"
81 always did say he was a conceited
ass. His ears give him away" grins
Joe. whose hands are working nerv'
ously, as though in sympathy with his
feelings. He would give all he ever
expects to handle of his nncle's es
tates for the privilege of laying hold
of that same Baron Popoff at this mo
mpnt