At this juncture voices were heard calling for ARCHIBALD.
BELINDA grasped him firmly by the collar. "Heaven knows," said she impressively, "that I have wooed you thus far in a spirit of the most delicate consideration. Now, I mean business, I want a husband, and by the Sixteenth Amendment, you don't stir from this spot, until you promise to marry me!"
"But--but--I don't want to get married," said ARCHIBALD; "I--I--ain't old enough."
"Am I to understand then," she shrieked, "that you dare refuse me?" And she laughed hysterically.
"Oh, no, no. I wouldn't. Of course I wouldn't," groaned the ghastly youth. "I'll promise _anything_, if you'll only let me go."
Thus it was, mid the hushed repose of that lovely June twilight, while all Nature seemed to pronounce a sweet benediction, that these loving hearts commingled. The soft hum of the June-bug seemed to have a sweeter sound, and the little fly walked unmolested across their foreheads, for they were betrothed.
Notwithstanding the thrilling events enacted near by, that modest production of Nature, the woodbine, still continued to twine in all its pristine virginity. And meanwhile, JEFFRY MAULBOY is at the appointed rendezvous, waiting for ANN BRUMMET.
But why that glazed expression, and that convulsive twitching of the lips?
"Hilloa, JEFF," said she. "Mean thing. Been here a whole day, and not a single word about my new overskirt. How does it hang behind?"
What reply does this cruel, this heartless man make?
"Oh, bother your overskirt. Is that the 'something very particular' you wanted to see me for?"
"Oh no," she replied; "I forgot." She looked cautiously round, and added:
"Say, JEFF, folks are talking about us awfully."
"Oh, yes," she replied. "Of course _you_ don't care. The more a man is talked about the better he likes it, and the more he's thought of. But it's death to a woman."
"Well, I don't care any way," said JEFFRY.
"Yes you do care too," she replied. S'posen it should get to the ears of that rich widow you're engaged to. 'Twould be all up with you _there_, sure, JEFF. She ain't burdened with principle, the Lord knows, but she's got jealousy enough to break the match short off, and kill you besides, if she hears of it.
"And she'll hear of it anyhow, if they keep up their infernal clack," said he fiercely. "I'd like to choke the whole confounded pack."