r guard, and probably knew more than she intended to convey. Convinced
of this, I felt certain that I had made a good beginning, and that the
first thing for me to do was to pour love into her ear, and win her over
to my side if possible. So I returned to my former subject without
delay, and after repeating the statement that she was the image of my
deceased love, I told her that she was the first and only person I had
ever met since that sad day, who interested me.

She smiled serenely, and did not seem displeased.

I next asked her if she was married.

She was not, and declared there was no favorable prospect.

I replied that perhaps her prospects were better than she supposed.

She smiled again, and seemed even less displeased than before, and moved
her chair nearer mine.

I then began talking at a rapid rate, giving her no chance whatever to
express herself, and directing my remarks in a way that would cause her
to think I matrimonially inclined. By this time she had finished chewing
off one corner of her apron and had tackled the other. Her eyes were
fairly dancing with delight.

Her cheeks had flushed considerably, and she seemed at a loss to know
what to do with her brawny hands and ponderous feet.

I quickly observed that my scheme was working to a charm and continued
my love-making, asserting myself boldly; then to test her feeling in the
matter, I asked her to express herself freely, without hesitation, as I
didn't care to have my affections trifled with.

Then drawing her chair nearer mine, she remarked, in her most
fascinating manner, that the only feller she ever did like had red hair
and a large red moustache; then, having finished up the apron, she
blurted out:

"How many times you ben married? Mebbe you got one or two wives neow."

"For gracious' sake! do you think I look as though I'd ever been
married? I guess I'll leave."

"Well, I don't know's you do; but you look like you'd make an awful nice
man."

She moved her chair still closer to mine.

I now thought it the proper time to spring a little tragedy on her.
Suddenly changing the subject by referring to the late jewelry firm's
failure, I confidentially informed her of my great loss. Then I jumped
to my feet, and a moment later began prancing around the room, raving
like a maniac. After that I related to her how I had placed confidence
in those scoundrels, and as my loss was so severe unless I should be
fortunate enough to get my goo