. ti ` » I 1 · .
 
  Tris cannr. as ‘
  l As I strolled along, I went over in my mind as I had
  done hundreds of times before, exactly how I would I
  address Dulcie. I would make a few knowing remarks
  about the occurrences of the day, and then, in anfadroit
  way, I would turn the conversation into the channel I _
  desired it. I would not get excited and I would not go
  down on my knees, such things merely serve to make a
  man ridiculous; I would move my chair near hers, or
C better, I would set beside her on the sofa, and gently,
,;_ very gently, so as not to frighten her, I would take A
  her hand in mine (she has a soft, pretty hand, I
  reflected complacently), and then in a calm and dig- l
  niiied manner, I would tell her of my love. I did11’t
`Y know what she would say; if it was "no," well
Y? —I’d take myself off somewhere and blow 1ny miserable
  brains out, for life would not be worth living without
j .-»· her. But if she blushed and looked down and said y
  "yes," than I would——. A glow of intense satisfaction
  pervaded me at the idea of what I would do if that
  happy time should come.
  I awakened from this blissful reverie with quite a
  start to iind myself at the gate of my Dulcenea’s home.
  I walked slowly up to the front door with rather an odd
  sensation somewhere in my anatomy as I rang the bell.
{ A neat maid informed me that if I would walk in the
`; parlor Miss Dulcie would soon be down. I went into
  the parlor and waited, still with that peculiar feeling of
I sinking. It seemed to me that I waited for hours, but l
I I the afternoon sun still shown brightly outside, so I sup-
pose it was not that long.
_` Finally, Dulcie appeared in the doorway and I started
.3i up to meet her, with a most wretched effort for ease and
. dignity. She greeted nie in her usual kindly manner,
V and after we sat down I waited for the easy flow of wise