Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-04
CHAPTER Vu-Continued.

timation, or in that of others?"
In cold cash.
At this the little major sat up very
straight indeed"
Look here, Mr.. Higgs," she asked
severely "how can that interest meT
why" 'stammered Higgs, little
taken aback, when a man proposes
that is the first thing a woman thinks
about"
Good graciousI" exclaimed Doro-
thy. rising in affected astonishment.
have you been proposing all this
time?"
Certainly"
You want to marry me?"
IF you please"
We'll, let me think," knitting her
brows reflectively. You're not so bad
looking"
"Oh, thank you, Miss Dorothy"
But the manager feared your play
would be condemned"
"The brute had no dramatic in
stinct".
Your expansion and muscular de-
velopment are great" looking him over
critically.
"Oh, thanks, thanks!"
But I'm afraid you're a little
tough"
You know how to make me tender"
bending upon her a killing look.
"I must confess" said Dorothy
slowly, that your wealth Is great
inducement."
Higgs smiled broadly. He had been
confident that that would fetch her.
Then, to his intense surprise, the
whole expression of the young lady's
face changed. She cast aside the half
testing manner she had assumed hith-
erto, and became suddenly very digni-
fed.
But, personally, I'm afraid you
would be an incumbrance which
couldn't possibly endure"
And, with a slight inclination Of her
head. as II in dismissal, she swept
past him.
For a moment the mortified Higgs
stood as If rooted to the ground, and
then he started after her with a pi-
teous:
"Oh, I say now, Miss Dorothy"
But before he could reach her side,
some one else stepped between.
1t was Charlie Sherwood, who, un-
perceived by either. had entered the
room a few moments before, and now
thought 1t was quite time to interfere.
Here, now" he said, roughly, glar-
ing with angry eyes at the man who
had tried to appropriate what the
young lieutenant had come to consider
his own property, haven't you said
about enough? Or, If you haven't
you'd better fire off the rest outside"
Higgs drew back in alarm. In spite
of his recent boast Of his extraordi-
nary muscles, the easterner had too
much consideration for his precious
skin to risk a personal encounter.
He hemmed and hawed, and then to
his surprise as we'll as that Of his RI
val, a champion came to his rescue.
Charlie Sherwood, how dare you?"
1t was Dorothy who uttered this
ejaculation, and she was genuinely
angry. She felt herself quite compe-
tent to manage her own affairs, and
was not disposed to brook any inter-
ference.
T thought you above spying" she
went on, scornfully.
SPYING" cried Charlie, indignantly.
"Oh, II I've intruded-"
He paused. and as Dorothy simply
shrugged her shoulders. as much as to
say that he certainly had, he strode
away toward the door.
Higgs, with grin of satisfaction,
followed, but with excessive care to
keep at q safe distance.
you'd better retire. When a gentle
man Is proposing to a lady, a third
party is quite out of place"
Charlie turned so suddenly and vi
ciously that Higgs jumped back.
This gentleman has not received his
answer yet, Lieutenant Sherwood"
said Dorothy, with dignity, "and as
that answer cannot possibly concern
you, why"
I'D better 60"
Exactly"
Miss Dunbar" said Charlie, with
suppressed rage, "please consider ev-
thything at an end between us. AS
for your pet there" glaring at Higgs,
I'll wait for him outside"
And he flung himself out Of the
room, slamming the door behind him.
The angry light died away from Dor
othy's eyes. and her rosy lips pouted
like those Of a hurt child.
But Higgs was in ecstasies. He fan
cied that he now had a complete walk
over as he expressed 1t to himself.
Approaching Dorothy, he said. In
an insinuating and would-be tender
manner:
Look up. sweet one; we are alone!"
Dorothy flung up her head.
Get OUT" she cried, sharply.
The words were undoubtedly excess
sively unladylike, but they expressed
exactly what she meant.
"Eh?" muttered Higgs. starting
back in surprise.
Get OUT" she repeated, still more
testify. Il hate you!"
Poor Higgs drew himself up with an
attempt at offended dignity.
Miss Dunbar. you have been tri-
fling with my feelings"
just see what you've done to mine.
with a half sob. Charlie says it's all
over between u.s."
$50, then. you are engaged to the
lieutenant"
"We-we-were just going to be,
she replied with a sob which this time
was quite apparent. But now he'll
never ask me-"
"Ah. l see how 1t isl" exclaimed
Higgs. his face scarlet with mortifica-
tion. you've been using me as
stuffed club to larrup him into line"
Dorothy, at the end Of her sentence.