Year: 1873

riding, boating, fishing and hunting, the
time passed rapidly enough. 1 said there
were three or four young ladies, but, SO
far as 1 was concerned, there was only
one, Miss Tootie Tusby-excuse me,
Pills, but cannot speak that name, even
now, without emotion"-and Bangs
drew forth his handkerchief and wiped
his eyes vigorously.


t ST cannot describe all of her charms;
| but Pills, if ever there was an angel in
this world she was one. Idevotedmysef
to her from thefrst. When Miss Tootie
rode I rode, if she walked walked;
when she went fishing Bangs went fish
ing. IF. she sailed on the lake, Bangs
was there also. Pills, I loved that girl
and when think of what separated us,
you'll excuse me, but"-there the hand
kerchief again came into requistion, and
| Bangs voice failed him completely.


'Did you propose?" asked.


fNo, Pills, no. All! if only had; if
only hadr"


"What prevented"


| "Wen, nothing but my own folly. I
was faint-hearted when it came to that.
had it in my mouth dozen times, but
my tongue failed me. There was another
| fellow there, too, that made me terrible
! Jealous. She didn't show him any par
3
mirer of her, any one could see, and
really wasn't certain in my mind which
she preferred. She might, in time, per-
haps, have shown some preference and
my doubts been dispelled had it not
been for the affair that happened which
am about to relate, and which blighted
all my future Life"


''Bad as that?" said.


'Pills, you never was in love; you
never lost the one heaven assigned for
you-you don't know anything at all
about it.


''That Is SO; go on"


'aThere was party at the San Marino
House one evening, a soiree dansante, or
something like that, they called it. They
sent up to the city for music, and went
in for gay time. I was counted out
somewhat, for you know I don't dance.
The other fellow did. More than that,
he danced with Tootie nearly all the
time. Pills, you don't know anything at
all about it; you never had the girl you
love dancing with your rival all the even
ing right before your eyes, while you sit
in corner like knot on 1og-see him
in the quadrilles, when all the rest of
the couples simply take each others
hands and promenade, see that fellow
just put his arm around that girl and
then go waltzing or polkaing all about
the room, every time right in front of
you, and that cussed fellow treading on
your corns every chance he can get-you
don't know anything about it. +"


I admitted my ignorance.


"Well, couldn't stand it; it was too
much. I rushed out and started off
toward the sea. I don't know as I had
any intentions of suicide, but I was in a
desperate mood. The path to the beach
led along by the side of the lagoon, and
by the time I had gone hundred yards
1 changed my mind, and thought I
would go down to the beach, but would
take swim in the lake. That is about
all the accomplishment I possess, and
one can't show that off before the ladies,
you know-not in the same way you can
dancing.


fI disrobed under the branches of a
huge alder, or sycamore, or some such
tree, and struck out for the other side of
the lake. The moon was shining bright
ly, and the water was warm and delight
full. I grew cool, and soon was enjoying
to the utmost the luxury of the situation.
I almost forgot for the time the Miss
Tusby and her admirer. Having crossed
to the opposite side, SWAN along in the
dark shadow of the alders until I came
to the sea beach. Then I noticed that
the moon was getting low. must re-
turn soon, before / was missed at the
party. After short rest I plunged in
again, and struck out for the place
where left my clothes. I could find it
easily by the large tree growing there.
In fifteen minutes I was there, and,
Pills, I tell you, the situation of things
about that time was precarious."


elbows that ?''


CT couldn't find my clothesl Gone,
sirl every article except my plug hat.
rushed round amongst the brush and
after a quail. Jerusalem! whew! I
tell you got dose that lasted me for a
month. Not rag of clothing could I
find. At length happened to look up
at the path to the hotel What do you
suppose I saw? A cursed greyhound
that belonged to my rival, with my white
vest, tossing it upon his nose, and drag
ging it about amongst the dirt and tar
weed as though it had been an old dish
cloth. The situation flashed upon me
in an instant. The dog had stolen my
clothes In sport, and there was, out
there in the night air, with no possible
discovery. Pleasant, wasn't it ?"


Decidedlyl'


You don't know anything at all about
it, sir. That was nothing to what fol-
lowed. just as was wondering how in
the dickens I was to get out of the
scrape, L looked up toward the hotel
again, and I saw something that fairly
made my blood freeze in my veins. L
saw three persons coming down the path,
and I at once recognized them as my
rival, Wilkins, Miss Tootie and another
young lady. They met the dog when
about half way between the lake and the
hotel. 1 saw by their actions that the
discovery of the vest had alarmed them.
They all came hurriedly down the path
toward the very spot where I stood.
Pills, that was situation I hope never
to be placed in again!'


Undoubtedly Did you take to the
water ?''


"I dare not do it, but it would have
been better if I had. You see I had
been in the water too long already. L
was in an awful goose-fesh all
over me- There wasn't time to delib-
crate long. My first thought was to
spring up into the tree, and I did so.
They came rushing down to the waters
edge, under the tree, just beneath me.