The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-08-29
FRANCESCA'S
ANSWER
By CARROLL WATSON RANKIN.

Let me see,' said Francesca, count |
Ing on the prettiest Of fingers, docs
that make rs, or 29?"
"Twenty-nine what7" asked bewll-
0oyed Bob.
"Twenty-nine proposals" said Fran
cesca, showing . dimple. Francesca's
dimples were a sight worth seeing.
Have 30 men proposed to your"
demanded Bob, with indignation writ
ten upon every feature.
'YOu fatter me, Bobbie, but no such
lack. I've been singularly unfortunate
in the matter of declarations, when
one takes all my charms into consider
GtiOn. You'll admit have charms,
went you. Bob?"
Eyes. I'll admit that. More than.
yenr share into the bargain. Bat
about those proposals."
Inst this: One man, Mr.. Robert
Wharton. BY name. has offered me his
hand and heart % or 20 times--I really
cant remember which"
oh" said Wharton, greatly re-
Nayed, is that all?"
"Alli" mimicked the girl. Isn't
that enough? Twenty-Five times in
three weeks! AT first, you know, !
used to write them all down In my
Diary. Then I made ditto marks. FL
aally left 1t out altogether, 1t got SO
naonotOnous. II you would just change
the form"
Perhaps / would better stop alto
Wether. You don't appear to appreci-
ate your blessings"
WELL" said Francesca, smiling de-
muFely, 1T would be more exciting,
confess, to have some one else do 1t
Ter Q change. DR.. Marsh, for instance,
O. Mr.. gkagg. Skagg'is such lovely
nAA0 should love to be Mrs. Hora-
tiO p. Skagg. Think how we'll 1t would
look on my cards"
WELL" said Wharton, stifEiy, you
nay be Mrs. Skagg. for all care"
what" queried his tormenter,
siAsping her pretty hands, has It
come to this? Wouldn't you truly
caroT
mo, l wouldn't. I'm just as tired OF
Dgoposing to you as you are Of having
me DO It. I'll never trouble you again.
"Oh. what rash threat! You know
Ssu'M DO It tomorrow; but shall GER
tainly smile upon Mr.. Skagg."
Then I'll devote myself to Miss
Marshall. may even propose to her"
"Just from force Of habit, suppose
Hou should certainly be able to do II
10 perfection by this tine. You've GER
tainIy had great deal Of practice"
May have this waltz?"
Wharton and Francesca, In the dark
corner Of the veranda, started violent
~.
"oh, certainly, Mr.. Skagg." said
Francesca, with much emphasis and
rising hastily y Nothing would give
me greater pleasure"
"Confound 1t! She needn't have tolt
MIN So" grumbled Wharton. "He'l
eonceited enough as it is"
Ten minutes later, Bob was danciui
With Miss Marshall, to whom, he de
voted himself, without intermission
through 1--WE dances. while Francescs
was deep in irritation OF equal length
with delighted Mr.. Skagg Wharton
could see glimmer of white, which h
knew to be Francesca's gown, at thu
and Of the long veranda; Francesca
could see Of the other end an0the
Mlsam OF white, which, she surmised
Yves Miss Marshall.
Mr.. Ekagg was In the seventh
heaven OF delight. Miss Marshall wa
almost as happy. Francesca was yawn
iAs behind her fan, and Bob wa
struggling with a mad desire to rusl
10 the opposite end Of the veranda 4
Rtranale Mr.. Skagg. whom the guest
: we're summoned to the dining room.
Al the merry thrOng trooped int
che spaciOus. Oak-paneled room, Fran
oescA. In passing the candle-lighte
cable. happened In some way to brusl
CArslsssiy against one Of the unshade
Mnhts.
:. In an instant her light organd
sleeve was ablaze. In another secon
she was envsloped In writing flames
The horrorstricken guests were spell
beuha. and for long moment no on
moved.
with q smothered exclamation
Wharton tore on his coat, and sprini
Ing over all intervening object
wrapped the garment about Francesc,
whose eyes were wide with terror. II
selEed her by the shoulders and, will
cut ceremony, pushed her to the foe
end rolled her back and forth upon til
dusty rug, crushing out the creepin
James with his naked hands. Then
spite Of his smarting, blistered palm
and Francesca's half-indignant pr
tests. he carried her to the librar
couch, where she lay sobbing wit
fright and pain.
Bob, regardless Of his own burn
made fruitless efforts to soothe Fra
ceaca, who was angry as well as frigh
encd. Bob. che thought, needn't hay
handled Der with such unnecessal
VisoT.
One guest telephoned for doctG
and Franeesca's carriage, another de
Eos baking soda; Mr.. Skagg. who four
himself behind the door of the butler
paatry without in the least KNOWN
low he got there, stood wringing
hands in helpless fright.
1t was not until Francesca was ga
In her own home and sleeping quiet
under the influence of an opiate tn
wharton discovered the extent Of
own burns and had them dressed.