Alaska sentinel., 1905-05-18
TNO. DISCOVERIES.
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c~o~ONON~NS~|~NN~
 H M always wondering" remarked
 Elva, refectiyely, as she handed
 me my second cup of tea, when you're really going to fall in love, and-"
 Don't be too hasty," I interrupted, as l assisted myself to sugar; per haps I'm even now consumed with the disquieting fever"
 You're so fat" said Elxa, dispar- aglngly.
 ~onsense" I protested. Simply well 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 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-''pas assably good-looking; and yet you let pretty, nice, suitable girls slip through your fingers by dozens because you're eith- CT too lazy or too conceited to take sufficient interest in them"
 Don't lecture me" I pleaded-Elva Is prone to lectures; you're so dread fully impulsiye, you know. As mat ter of fact. looked in this very after noon on purpose to tell you how-how abomlnably In love am
 Something in my tone must have struck her as unusual. The muffin, like Mahomet's coffin, remained sus- pended while she surveyed me intent ly, presumably to see If she could de- tect any latent humor in my counte- nance.
 l did not move muscle.
 If I were quite certain that you were In earnest" she began, hesitat- ingly. and I thought-though, of course, 1 had no business to think that her voice was little unsteady, T should say how very glad I am"
 Please try and believe me-" plead ed.
 She studied my face as If undecided what to do.
 "Is 1t recent?" she asked at last
 Tt happened-yesterday," I con- fessed You remember, I always promised that you should be the first to know whenever I really had any thing to tell, and I was just going to begin when you fell upon me-"
 Yesterday" murmured Elva, in ev- ident surprise. Then 1t must have been at Lady Toilets garden party"
 1 nodded.
 Was 1t love at first sight, or had you seen her before:'
 'I had seen her." I said, guardedly "once or twice.
 Oh" said Elya, and think she flushed Then. of course, it's Mollie Richards. I saw you talking to her for ages in the rosary. She's 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 pre- sumed 1t was because Miss Richards was never very particular friend of hers.
 q suppose" she went on, you'll propose at once. You've no need to wait like most poor creatures"
 II intend" I said firmly, Ito offer myself with as little delay as possi- ble."
 And you really don't mind my talk ing the privilege of an old friend-a very old friend-to ask you all these questions, do you?"
 Not the least In the world" said, graciously; I expected them."
 What do you mean by that?" she inquired, with suspicion.
 "Nothing. except that you've chas- Used me about my matrimonial pros- poets ever since you could toddle. Do you remember, for instance. asking me at a schoolroom tea in your early youth whether 1t was my intention to marry your Fraulein or not?"
 Elya's face frightened promptly. Rather" she said; and Fraulein turned all sorts of colors, and told mother the next day that she would no longer stay with a child so en- barrasslng.' I really think she had tendresse for you, Monty"
 Probably" I agreed. Many peo- pie have"
 Don't be conceited" reprimanded Elva; but tell me all about Mollie and exactly what attracted you. Some people call her pretty, l. admire her myself. only"
 "Mollie Richards" I inquired, with extreme innocence. Who said any thing about Mollie Richards?"
 Why, you did, of course. that is to say-yes-no, suppose you didn't, then-why, I did, suppose; but any how what's the good of cavilling about her? It is Mollie Richards, isn't it?"