Mexico Missouri message., 1905-11-23

Can You bear 10 be poor--with mar
demanded Hon. Charles in impassioned
tones.
ooh, Charlie, with you think could
bear to be-almost anything" softly re-
piled Miss Gladys Trelwyn, darting o
swift, shy glance at the fanneled young
man beside her.
The little fooll" exclaimed the
countess.
''Hushl" said the duke. LET us not
interrupt this Arcadian love scene.
Phyllis. Strephon-and the goatsl It is
delightful"
Hon. Charles heaved q deep sigh of
relief. His arm was already around
Miss Trelwyn's slender waist. With a
swift gesture he drew her still closer to
him, and, bending his face to hers,
adroitly imprinted a kiss on the young
lady's lips.
Gladys, you are little darling!" he
calculated.
Obi" said the countess. did you
hear that?"
"Ahl" said the duke, enviously. did
you see it2"
Then you will promise to be my wife,
dearP" went on Hon. Charles, ardently.
yes, Charlie, promise"
I'm spite Of all opposition?" he asked,
touch of anxiety in his voice.
I'm spite of opposition" she cooed,
with her head upon his shoulder.
The duke stepped back on to the gravel
and began to whistle tune. Then he ad-
vanced along the path with an agrees
sively noisy step, the countess following
him, till, as it were quite by accident,
they deviated into the entrance to the
grotto.
GLADYS, my love, l will escort you
to the hotel" said the duke, blandly. IL
too, have something l wish to consult
you about" and he beamed upon Hon.
Charles as he spoke.
The countess followed obediently by
Charlie, preceded them from the grotto.
The duke, with Miss Trelwyn, fingered
some PAGES behind.
81 an afraid, began the countess with
freezing satire, that we disturbed you
at rather an inopportune time, my dear
Charles"
"You did" said Charlie, unabashed.
Charlie" demanded the countess,
fixing an eye Of uncomprising sternness
upon the young man, may l ask what
you were doing in that place with Miss
Trelwyn"
you may" said Charlie, pulling out
his cigarette case, Il was proposing to
her"
Proposing to her!" repeated the
countess, in Mortified accents.
Charlie nodded.
"And she has accepted me-" he added
placidly.
The countess stared at him a moment
in silence. Then she said, slowly:
Charlie, you are fool"
'Yes!" drawled Charlie, lighting his
cigarette.
do you not know that in your posi-
ton it is imperative-absolutely i'm
perative--that you should marry a girl
with plenty of money!"
1.-THE reflection has occurred to me" he
observed.
"And for that reason you must break
off this absurd engagement before II
goes any further"
con the contrary" said Charlie, ut Il
-partly-for that reason that l pro
posed to Miss Trelwyn."
Again the countess stared at him, this
time in bewilderment.
What do you mean?" she exclaimed
Charlie drew a telegram deliberately
from his pocket.
81 mean an hour ago received THU
telegram from-er--my confidential ad
wiser in town." he remarked.
"a telegram" the countess eiacu
lated.
(which informs me, went on Charlie
calmly, that the sudden death of ;
cousin, a comparatively young man
puts Miss Trelwyn in possession of hal
a million of money"
The countess gasped.
you see," said Charlie, 81 have beef
careful to keep myself well informed
my dear aunt"
Half q million of money!" said tn
countess,
Exactly"
This puts an entirely different com
plexion on the matter" sighed tn
countess.
so l thought" agreed Charlie, tran
GULLY.
Does the duke know OF this circum
stance?" inquired the countess.
"Of course" said Charlie. "He knev
this morning, but he doesn't know tina
know, you know" he chuckled.
The countess drew deep breath.
my dear Charles" she observed, ad
miringly, you are not such fool, afte
ALL"
High Jumping Hog.
A jumping hog afforded much amuse