ONE MORE LEAP YEAR EPISODE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1269, 25 November 1884, Page 3

ONE MORE LEAP YEAR EPISODE.

They were seated io the parlour, and the clock haii struck the hour of ten (this clock never struck any more than ten on those evenings when the court was in session). They were an economical young couple, never utilising but one chair for both to sit upon, ami she always clasped her hands about his fourteen ami a-half collar neck, to prevent her from falling off. To say that the young lady was handsome wouid not half express it, and she was exceedingly clever, as the sequel will lucidly show, while her male companion was as stupid as a goose the day befors Christmas.

She war> rather tall and slender, had bright eyes rosy cheeks, blonde hair, and invariably wore a mauv-ecolored silk dress.

Tbey had discussed the weather probabilities, her papa's rheumatic paralysis, her dear mama's neuralgia, and all the other stereotyped topics, interspersed now and thee with a long drav/n sigh, or a kiss, as she nestled closer to his manly bosom, and the conversation began to drag wearily oh. At last a bright idea entered her little head, whereby she could infuse interest into the evening's entertainment, and besides bring a very important point before the court. She said : " Did you ever study palmistry ?" " Well, Nellie, I've studied mostly all of the classics, " he replied, " but I can't say I devoted any time to that branch. Of what does it treat f "Shall I show you?" "1 haven't the slightest objection."

She took his hand gently in hers, and after making a careful diagnosis of the creases in it said :

"You came of a long lived family ; your grandfather lived to be eighty-two years age and your grandmother seventyfive ; your father and mother are still living "

" Why, Nellie," interrupted George, " I told yon of all that the other night." " Well, that does nqt make the slightest bit of difference, I could inform you of it nil by this art, supposing you had never told me anything about it. But pardon the digression. Yon will probably live to be seve'ity-one or thereabouts ; you are desperate'y in love with a young girl, lint too bashful to pop the question ; there are two or three suitors for lier hand, but she is yours and yours only (sighing) ; she loves you, dear George, with that maddening flame which can only be the luscious fruit of a trusting young heart ; site won,ld make you a good wife (pressing his hand softly) ; in sickness si e would be ever found at your bed-side caring for you, and yon could not do better than marry her ; she is tall and slender, lias bright, blue eyes, rosy cheeks, blonde hair, dresses in mauve-colored silk—" " Stop !" shrieked George, " I can stand it no longer. Will you be mine V And she be-minded.