Both Lonely
When Mrs. Tallman issued invitations fnr her picnic, one fact troubled her. If there was one person whom Miss Kitty Melon disliked particularly, that person was Mr. Wllllam Waddilove. In fact, there was only one thing she ' hated worse, and that waa his dog. On his side, Mr. Waddilove disliked his I neighbors as heartily. If there was anything he hated, it was a piano, and frora I morning to night the partition wall shook with incessant practicing. The two cottages commenced secret warfare. Miss Melon shrieked whenever she saw the dog- practiced at midnight because she knew Mr. Waddilove was always aroused by the dulcet strains and passed her neighbor with averted face. Mr. Waddilove smoked when the wind set toward Miss Melon's garden; set his dog into convulsiona of barking whenever the lady was seen with a book in the arbor and laughed audibly when he was contemptuously ignored in thelane outside of the garden. No wonder Mrs. Tallman grew nervous as her picnic guests, among whom were to be the' "two antipathies," began to assemble. Foremost carne Mr. Waddilove, with his dog and a gun. "Mjght see something I'd like to hit, you kuow," he said. Mrs. Tallman smiled faintly. "Only don't let it be one of my guests," she said. Other guests arriving opportunely, I ever, the lady forget her fears in hospitable welcomes, and soon all were asseinbled save Miss Melon. At the last moment some one in white, with a round hat, and cherry ribbons, and a roll of music, appeared on the scène. It was Miss Melon. Mr. Smith offered his arm, and the party set off- Mr. Waddilove in front, Miss Melon the very last of the procession, each unconscious of the other's presence. The spot was reached - a nice damp hollow fiill of trees. Then, and not uutil then,( Beppo discovered Miss Melon. He made for the spot where she sat at once, and being au intelligent dog, who remembered lessons, begau to bark in the most astounding manner, making short leaps and turn bles all the while. Miss Melon began to seream. "Oh! oh! It's that Mr. Waddilove's brute. How did be come here? Oh, mercy! there's the wretch himself. Cali off your dog. sir." "Never bites," said Mr. Waddilove. "Weally," said Mr. Smith- "weally, I must pqjttest. The lady is alarmed, sir." "Beppo, old fellow,"said Mr. Waddilove, "what you want there I don 't kuow - lie down." And Beppo did lie down, panting and triumphant. Miss Melon, following the example of the rest of the party, began to explore the beauties of the woods, leaning on Mr. Smith's arm. "Oh, the river!" cried Miss Melon. "Do let us wander on its banks, Mr. Smith." "Very much pleased to wander anywhere with you," said the gallant Smith, and soon they were upon the margin of the stream, where lay a boat. "Oh, I must have a rw!" cried Miss Melon. "Werry delighted to wow you," said Mr. Smith, "but you see that boat belongs to some fellow, and he might cali it stealing, don't you see?" "Only for a minute," said Miss Melon, and with an infantile giggle she skipped into the boat. Alas! boats are treacherous - the lady lost her balance and feil into theewater. Just there it was deep and somewhat dangerous. Miss Melon disáppeared Lrom view and carue to the surf ace struggling and gasping. lr. Smith shouted for help, and out of the woods bounded something black, followed by a man with a gun. "Petch her, old fellow!" yelled the man, and the dog plunged into the water. His master only waited to fling off his coat and hat before he followed him. Together they brought Miss Melon to the shore more dead than alive, and there the picnickers found the drippiug trio - Miss Melon supported by Mr. Waddilove, the dog in ecstacies of pride at his own performances. "What a fine dog that is," said Miss Melon. "Pure Newfoundland," said Mr. Waddilove. 'Tor all the time we've been neighbors I've had such a false idea of you," said Miss Melon. "And I haven't appreciated you," said Mr. Waddilove. "Ah, well - do better in future. Here we are. " That afternoon, to the astonishment of the housemaid and the consternation of the housekeeper, Miss Melon and Mr. Waddilove were having tea together. After tea they sat and talked. "To think that I might have been at the bottom of the river but for you," said Miss Melon. "I daren't think of it," said Mr. Waddilove. "Let's change the subject- won't you play for me?" "Oh, you don't like music." "I? Who dared to say so?" "Well, if you'll smoke. "In a lady's presence? No." "To please me." "Anything to please you," said Mr. W. And the lady sat down at the piano, and the gentleman sinoked. The housemaid, listening at the door, was sure she heard a kiss, and the friends of the antipathies were astonished, on the next appearauce of The Weekly Wonder, by this announcement: Married, on thé - th of August, Miss I Kitty Melon, daughter of the late Peter Melon, Esq.. to Mr. William Waddilove. Ño
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Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News