Norwich bulletin., 1912-06-11
THE BULLETINS SHORT STORY.
BELINDA'S WAY

1
 At his first meeting with Belinda Howe, Jack Owen determined)that the charming girl should become his wife i On and after their tenth meeting he 1 resolved to- ask her the Rll-important fquestion that must precede an en- | gagement, but his courage was net equal to his desire.
 s"f'll ask her tomorrow" was always his desperate promise when his cour- age failed, and many tomorrows had 1 become todays and yesterdays and stili 1 the question was unasked, yet he al- most knew, without being conceited l about the matter, that Belinda cared and that the affirmative answer would be forthcoming when he asked her. l Time and again he had gathered his | courage, and on each occasion his | tongue had clove to the roof of his 1 mouth when Belinda's brown eyes had 1 shyly dropped before the love light in 1 his.
 l Occasionally he ragged at himself for 1 his stupidity. If she only knew what | a consummate ass I am she wouldn't have anything to do with me" he groaned one day:
 1 Perhaps Belinda knew, or guessed, | the state of affairs.
 l | II dSh Ter lOIQOTTON-SuE6. ue said one evening after he had return l ed from 8 dinner party where he had 1 taken Belinda in to dinner, and sat beside her in ecstatic wonder at his 1 great good luck.
 Tomorrow came and with it note l from Belinda saying that they were all going down to Sea Sands that day for l the week end and she hoped Mir. Owen would be sure to accept her mother B l invitation to accompany them. Mrs. Howe's invitation came in the same mail and Jack accepted it de- 1 lightedly Then he made hurried pre- parations for the journey, because he wanted to be sure and catch the same train that Belinda was going on. He went to the station and engaged a seat, l trusting to his customary good for tune to find it placed next to Belin- da's chair.
 It was next to Belinda's seat but on the other side of Belinda sat man a foolishly grinning idiot with his hair l parted in the middle and a dimple in his chin. This was Jacks summary of the masculine charms of Mir Harry Brompton.
 Belinda was interested in MT. Bromp ton, 80 deeply interested that she only spared an occasional smile for Jack who sulked openly and determined to ask her the fatal question that very night-if he got chance.
 When they reached Sea Sands and the Howe's motor vehicles were filled with the expected guests 1t was found that Mir. Brompton was seated be- side Belinda in one car while Jack Owen was squeezed between Mrs Howe and her private secretary, a lit tie pale blacken-eye being who shiv- cred with the excitement of the corning week. end gayeties of which she woult only snatch an occasional glimpse.
 'Tll show himl' sputtered Jack fiercely, as he noted the devoted atti- tude of Mir, Brompten's by no means ill-looking head.
 It was an added irritation to f1nt that MT Brompton was to occupy tht pleasant room which Jack Owen had always occupied on his frequent visits at Sea Sands. The room now appoint ed to Jack was pleasanter than tht other, but jealousy is fed by little things like this and MT. Owen be- came positively unhappy over the mat. ter.
 1 By the time Jack was ready for din. ner the situation looked very bleak. H. was positive that MT. Brompton haC been q dark horse in the race fol Belinda's heart and hand and he wal sure that gentleman had won out, ant that the engagement would be an nounced tonight.
 He hoped it would not be announced at the dinner table-he was positiv, that he would be unable to control hi features. Yet 1t looked ominou enough. As he tallied the guests wht would be there he realized that the. ! consisted of old and intimate friend of the Howe family.
 Harry Brompton was the onl, stranger to him. He wondered vague ly if any of these friends were related to MT. Brompton or was the prospec tive bridegroom an orphan like him 1 self2
 He went down to dinner in a moo Of black despair.
 Dear boy!" 1nurmured Mrs. Howe as he stopped for word with her. "W are so delighted about little Belinda!'