Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-27
By Bayard Taylor

,.......s......-.. ..'-...--...t.....s-.,..,. began to laugh. There's a beautiful big smut on your nose, Dick" she said.
 This would have been disconcerting to any lover, but to the verse-maker, with his two hundred year and hope Iessness, it was almost brutal At the same time poor human vanity com pelled him to use his handkerchief.
 Now you've smudged it!" said Dol ly. as joyously as if he had just com pleted a masterpiece in landscapes.
 He looked at her so miserably that she was touched
 '1'm a pig" she said, sweetly and penitently. "I'm afraid I'm not of . sympathetic nature, Dick"
 "Ahi you don't know, Dolly" he sighed dismally You don't know what it means for a fellow to give tip his hearts desire"
 Have you done that?" she asked, easily.
 "I'm going to do it."
 "It can't be your real hearts desire, if you're going to give 1t up. believe when you give 1t up, you'll find it was nothing, after all. |: "DOlly!" Have I been rude? Heigh-hoi How I always do succeed in putting my foot in it! I think you'd better fly before get any worse. Goodness! Dick, have you forgotten about your ofice?
 Never mind about the office. Let me come to the next corner with you.
 They walked on in silence, and were almost at the corner when he spoke again.
 "I-I-say, Dolly"
 "Well?"
 What did you mean just now aboN about a fellow and-and his hearts desire?" -
 "Oh. I've forgotten. I don't suppose meant anything. But, apologize"
 But I don't want you to apologize. I want you toto say 1t again."
 Say what again?" "Oh, you know" I'm sure I don't" Tt was about a man giving up"
 Dick" she interrupted, with charming smile. you really must go away, at once. They'll think you are | lost"
 Just let me come to the next corner, Dolly"
 No" she said, firmly.
 So they walked on together past three corners.
 Dolly" said Dick, at last, and his ] voice was husky, probably with the fog; If you-er-liked fellow. what's the least you would m-m-marry him on?"
 Three days notics--if liked him. T
 'T mean, what income?"
 Lady Lightheart felt very happy ! now.
 Four hundred a year." she said, promptly. with quick laugh.
 "oh!" The pain in his voice startled her. He cared for her even more than she had dared to believe. She felt like ] catching his hand and pulling it into her cosy muff. Poor old Dickl
 And just then he halted. 'T suppose I'd better be going back now" he said slowy. Can you find your way in the fog?''
 She smiled merrily. Can you" she asked.
 Dolly" said the verse-maker, stop. ping suddenly, you know love you.
 Yes"
 what! Oh, Dolly, you are needlessly cruel."
 Why"
 Why? Well. you know I've onIy two hundred a year, and you know what you said about marrying on foui hundred, and-oh. idiot that was. did fancy that you cared a little"
 "A Iittle7 What a queer fancy. Dick"
 "Yes." be said. rather savagely. "s queer fancy. indeedI All the same Lady Lightheart-it's q good name fol you-just to let you remember after ward what an utter fool a man can be I ask you to marry me"
 Wont you ask me nicely. Diek7' Her laughter had failed her at last.
 Dolly"
 Don't look al me-don't. don't-oh Dick. I am laughing. really I am And she was-three minutes later.  ~Oh. hearts desire" exclaimed tn verse-maksr. as they took the longes road home through the blessed fog H. had felegraphed to the ofioe that h had met with an accioent. but hopet to be better by the morning Dolly, I've loved you for ages wh. didn't I ask you sooner.- I've often wondered. Dick. sn murmursd. trying to reprsss her de light -oh. csnT-I can't understand yo' st all You insisted on four hundred and I've only tvo hundred a year Ditto whispered Lady Llshthesr , ever 70 shyiY s-ss-rssuu ss zs< vsrs ls esuszr,sd svsry ye<