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

copyright, 1912, by Associated Literary
Press.)
At his first meeting with Belinda
Howe. Jack Owen determined that the
charming girl should become his wife.
On and after their tenth meeting ne
resolved to ask her the all-important
question that must precede an en-
gagement, but his courage was not
equal to his desire.
"I'll ask her tomorrow" was al
ways his desperate promise when his
courage failed, and many tomorroWs
had become todays and yesterdays,
and gtill the question was unasked,
yet he almost knew, without being
conceited about the matter, that Be
linda cared and that her affirmative
answer would be forthcoming when
he asked her.
Time and again he had gathered
his courage and on each occasion MS
tongue had Glove to the roof OF MS
mouth when Belinda's brown eyes had
shyly dropped before the love light
in his.
Occasionally he ragged at himself for
his stupidity. IF she only knew what
a consummate ass | am she Wouldnt
have anything to do with me-. ne
groaned one day.
Perhaps Belinda knew-or guessed
the state Of affairs!
"I'll ask her tomorroW-sure!" ne
said one evening after he had re-
turned from a dinner party where ne
had taken Belinda in to dinner, and
sat beside her in ecstatlc wonder at
his great good luck.
Tomorrow came and with 1t note
from Belinda saying that they were
all going down to Sea Sands that day
for the weekend and she hoped Mr.
Owen would be sure to accept ner
mothers invitation to accompany
khem.
II Mrs. Howe,s invitation pane in the
same mail and Jack accepted it de-
lightedly. Then he made hurried prep
aratfons for the journey because ne
wanted to be sure and catch the same
train that Belinda was going on he
went to the station and engesed a
seat, trusting to his customary good
fortune to find 1t placed next to Be
unda's chair.
It was next to Belinda's seat, but
on the other side OF Belinda sat new
mana foolishly grinning idiot with
his hair parted In the middle and q
dimple in his chin. This was Jacks
summary Of the masculine chat as OF
Mr.. Harry Brompton.
Belinda was interested In Mr.
Brompton, SO deeply interested that
she only spared an occasional smile
afor Jack, who sulked openly and de
Estermined to ask her the Il tai question
pthat very night-if he gotta chance.
When they reached Sea Sands and
the Howe's motor vehicles were filled
with the expected guests 1t was found
that Mr.. Brompton was seated beside
Belinda in one car while Jack Owen
was squeezed between Mrs. Howe and
her private secretary, little pale
black-eyed being who shivered with
the excitement Of the coming week.
end gaities, of which she would only
snatch an occasional glimpse.
I'm show him!" sputtered JACK
dercely as he noted the devoted atti
tude of Mr. Brompton's by no means
Unlocking head.
It was an added irritation to find
that Mr.. Brompton was to occupy the
pleasant room which Jack Owen had
always occupied on his frequent visits
| pointed to Jack was pleasanter than
the other, but jealousy is fed by lit
tie things like this and Mr.. Owen be
came positively unhappy over the
matter.
By the time Jack was ready for din
ner the situation looked very bleak
He was positive that Mr.. Bromptor
had been dark horse in the race fol
Belindas heart and hand and he was
sure that gentleman had won out, anc
that the engagement would be an
nounced tonight.
He hoped it would not be announced
at the dinner table-he was positive
that he would be unable to contro
his features. Yet it looked ominous
enough. AS he tailed the guests who
would be there he realized that they
consisted of old and intimate friends
Of the Howe family.
Harry Brompton was the only
stranger to him. He wondered vague
" If any of these friends were related
to Mr.. Brompton or was the prospec
tive bridegroom an orphan like him
self?
He went down to dinner in moot
Of black despair.
Dear boy!" murmured Mrs. Howe
as he stopped for a word with her
1--WE are SO delighted about little Be
linda!"
"Then it is declded?" he asked in
hollow voice.
She looked at him In puzzled way
you mean about announcing 1t to
night"
/ He nodded gr1mly. He could no