A FATAL DISCOVERY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XVIII, 29 October 1898, Page 555

A FATAL DISCOVERY.

‘Break our engagement!’ he echoes in amazement. ‘1 don’t understand :»S'“ She regards him with a look' that would freeze ice cream. . :. » ‘J regret,’ she return's haughtily, ‘my inability to render my meaning more apparent. Permit me to suggest that you attend a bargain' sale of dictionaries.’ ; ‘Pardon me. Of course I understand, but I do not comprehend. You cannot be serious.’ ‘I certainly am.’ ‘But what have I done?’ he asks in a voice puffy with anguish. ‘Have 1 not been as devoted a lover as ever woman had?’ ‘I suppose so,’ she admitted. ‘Then, why do you wish to puncture my life? Clarinda, I love you as I do my bicycle. You are the chain on

my sprocket, the air in my tyres. Deprived of the oil of your affection, the lamp of my- existence would go out for ever, and 1 should be pinebed by the copper of death.’ The girl’s face softened, but did not lose its air of determination. ‘Horatio,’ she murmured tenderly, ‘do not look at me like that. Your eyes stir me like a pudding. Von have indeed been the most ardent of lovers, but after such a discovery I cannot change my resolution. Our engagement must lie fractured.’ ‘Discovery! What discovery?’ ‘Alas!’ she. cries, ‘that 1 shoidd have to tell it. Last night when you tightened my saddle. I saw that your wrench —heavens, how I blush at the recollection!—was of an 1896 model. Do you think I can marry you now?’ With a wail of utter despair the young man rushes from the house and jumps on a ear.