The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-06-15

to William. Belinda has hurried !,
SO, only notified us this morning az
insisted on ITS being announced q 4
night
That's all right-don't mind H..
faltered poor Jack and strolled ova,
to William, who was Relinda's fatha,
Keep up your courage, old bnp,s
whispered Mr.. Howe. Brace up-,,
can't happen but once. you known
Il won't give any one q chance i
let it happen to me again. growlao
Jack hercely. but William Howe M
happily hard of hearing, and at Thu
moment dashed away. for dinner VA
announced.
Mighty kind OF 'em to be So cara.
full OF my feelings" thought Jack AZ
he tried to quell q murderous thrill
at sight Of Harry Brompton's cara
fully parted curly hair.
Belinda came In then-a wonderful.
ly radiant Belinda In pale pink satin
yelled with white lace and with pearls
about her throat. She included JACK
in her swift survey OF the room, and
he saw that a rosy wave of color
stained her cheeks from brow to chln
and left her pale.
His own heart did not leap ii IL.
Spouse to her passing glance as 1t had
been wont to do. It felt quite cold
and still. 1t did not throb even when
he found that he was to take Belinda
in to dinner. His face was like
white mask as he gave her his arm
and led her to her seat.
To his relief Belinda did not talk
much to him. She seemed absorbed
in conversation with Harry Brompton
on her other hand, while Jack was
not obliged to talk, for a lady beside
him chartered foolishly from course
to course until dessert was reached.
An unusual silence came upon the
company as Belinda's father SLOWLY
arose holding his wine glass.
Friends" he smiled upon them,
may I ask you to drink to the health
happiness of one who is very dear ta
me-my daughter, Belinda, and her
future husband, Mr.. Jack Owen.
1T is a joke!" gasped poor JACK
as the company merrily drank 10
their heahh and happiness. There
! must be a limit to
Nobody heard his voice save BE-
linda. whose hand sought his and
pressed it significantly.
"I'll explain afterwards, jack" she
said hurriedly. you must respond %
the toast
TITS true. then?' he asked dazed
ly.
"Of course-stuptd!
Afterwards they commented on the
brilliant speech Of Jack Owen.
Didn't know 1t was in him to be SO
| FUNNY" commented one.
Enough to make any one hilarious
to win "a girl Ike Belinda HoWeF 2,
torted another.
who is this young Brompton
"Oh, / don't know-some TRENT
from the west who inflicted himself
| upon them this morning ana nae y
be invited down"
After dinner Jack Owen found nm
self mysteriously spirited away 70 saes
alcoye in the library. Belinda was pe
side him, very pale, very quiet. SOUNDS
from the company in the distant draw.
ing room came family to them.
"Oh, Jack, do you mind $40 asAsa
Belinda after long silence.
"Mind?" he asked, still dazed % nv
strangeness of the whole thing, ~
suspecting a trick of some sort.
mind being engaged to me!' NY
faltered. I.
| Mind being engaged to your ~
repeated. why, Belinda, darling, ~
what I'VE been trying to accompllsa
ever since I met you'll" His arms 8ef'
around her now, and his lips Ws.s
pressed against her wonderful haA'
II didn't understand. you see.
II knew you wanted to, only "
were so difident-oh, indeed, ST, yoa
are recovering rapidly-and It was w
only way. You know this y ~
year,"