Cupid’s Captive.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3872, 11 May 1906, Page 3 (Supplement)

Cupid’s Captive.

By Leslie Moore

My cousin Nell has a decidedly strong ■will. You would nob think it from a mere casual observation, for she is fair and fluffy, and wears lots of laces and " Himes.”

'That word is ray own invention, and I am proud of it; and if any man does not know its signification let him ask his intended. Stic will tell him.

(Now, though 'Nell lias a strong will, my own is still stronger, and, in spite of tho fact that sho has refused my suit three times, I fully intend her to marry m» in the end.

I thought the matter carefully over all Tuesday night, and yesterday I went for an excursion by myself up the river to a delightful old ruined castle. I did not stay very Jong, but I made a few important observations. To-day was fine and warm, and I suggested that I should take Nell for an excursion in the boat.

She raised all the usual objections, which my strong will quickly removed, and finally Sho consented. Though she would not dream of owning it, I am convinced that she missed me yesterday. I went on ahead, carrying tho cushions and lunch-basket, telling Nell to follow when dhe was ready. She said that sho would just put on her hat and would not be a minute. But I w r a.s nob deceived. When Nell says the is going to put on her hat I take a novel, or go to the smoking room for a pipe. Sho is never less than a quarter of an hour, even without a veil. I had arranged tho cushions and had had two cigarettes before Noll put in an appearance. She was, as usual, all ■white muslin and fluff, with a frilly parasol. I told her that it was not a suitable frock for tho river, but sho only said that a man knows nothing at all about dt.

She seated herself in the stern and opened her parasol. I had long ago discarded the rudder. Rowing with Nell at the helm is an art beyond my powers. Our conversation was at first spasmodic, and then ceased, which 'was perhaps as -well, for it was very hot, and •we were berth a little irritable.

I was glad when I saw the ruin in and we landed near a clump of trees.

After we had had our lunch we both felt happier, and our spirits rcse. “I like this,” said Nell. “Yon are •a dad mg to bring me, Jack.” Tho moment seemed propitious. “Nell,” I said, “will you marry me?” Noll grabbed a handful of daisies and flung them at me. “No, silly!” she said. “Very well,” I replied contentedly, “■wo will see.” “We shall,” laughed Nell. “Why iwcp’t you have me?” I asked. Nell tossed up tho daisies and caught them again. “ You’re so lazy!” 3ho £aicl; and, you’ve no object in life.” “I’ve just rowed you down hero on ■an August morning,” I replied calmly, “and my object in life is to make you consent to marry me.” “Well,” replied Nell deliberately, “if ever I do consent I’ll keep my promise.” “I shall not forgot that,” I answered as I rose. “ Let’s go and have a look at that castle.” Nell held out her hands and 1 raised her to her feet. The courtyard of the castle was overgrown with weeds, and the main part of the buildiing was now an utter ruin. 'The turret alone was in fair preservation, and I suggested that we should investigate it. Nell, after some demur, picked up her frock and began to ascend “Ihe winding stair. I followed. At the top was a room with a small hut heavy door, the bolts of which wore on the outside. The windows were more slits through which >a hand could hardly pass. Noll went up to one of them to look out. I dipped hack across tho room and out through the door.. The next moment it was shut and tho bolt pushed to. I heard Noll run across the room. “Jack,” she, called out, “don’t be so silly! Undo the door.” “Nell,” I said quietly, “will you marry me?” “No, I won’t,” she cried, and I could hear that she was angry. “Very well,” I answered, “then tho door stays shut.” Nell did not reply, and there was a pause. Thou sho spoke. “Jack, what are you doing?” “Sitting on the stairs,” I replied. “ Hew long are you going to stay there?” “Till yon agree to marry mo,” I answered. “Then I guess you’ll stay there till yen Vo a fixture,” she retorted; and I heard her move away from the door. I took out my pipe, lit it, and then waited. After a while she came back again. “Jack, do open the door.” “'•Will you promise,” I asked. “It is-likely ” the answered. “ AVliat should I do with a husband with a temper liko yours?” “I (should have an equally obstinate wife, I replied coolly; “ that would balance 'matters.” “Jack, I hate yon !“ she cried. “iNcll, I love yon,” I answered. There was another pause. “Jack, if you will open the door I'll give you an answer.” “You’ve given mo that one four timer,” I replied. “Perhaps it will be a different one this time.” “ There must lie no ‘perhaps’ in the matter,” I returned. “When I get out of hero I’ll never speak to yon again!” she cried. An h'onr passed away, and then I heard Nell near the door onco more. “Jack, it must lie getting late, and mamma doesn’t know whore I am.” “Von arc in quite safe keeping," I ■answered. I heard her stamp her foot. “Jack, if I don’t go homo soon, what will neo'pl'o say?”“Thc usual kind of thing,” I replied calmly!

“I’ll never forgive you !” sho said passionately. “'Will yen marry mo?” I asked again.

“•No! no! NO!” ehc cried, and once more I heard her retreat from the door. •Another dioiir passed, and tho stairs wore hard, hut I stuck manfully to my post.

“Jack,” I hoard Noll’s voice say once more, “doesn’t it strike you that you are a coward?”

“On the contrary,” I replied, “it strikes me that I am a man of determination.”

“ But I am nob a woman of determination,” sho answ'ercd, and her voice broke 'with a little Bob.

I sprang up and opened the door. “Nell!” 1 cried os I caught her in my arms, “I was a brute —an litter brute; but, darling, 1 did want you so very much. ” “ It was tho very silliest way to try and get me, then,” she answered, with her head on my shoulder; “ for if I didn’t Jove you, Jack, I really would never speak to you again.” Why Nell refused me four times is a problem which I have nob.yet solved.