The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-04-08

mUmOnt.
At luncheon he almost anagod ia
sit next her, but she was too quick
and moved away, and he did not like
to follow her.
Afterwards the ladies were to
walk little way to sec some of the
shooting, and discussion arose. -
Mrs. Ashley and one or two of tie
other ladies were afraid of the "a
tigue, and it was proposed they
should return home at once.
Sir Stephen in alarm, walked
across to Aimee "Yoa are coming
with us?"
Thank you. I think would
rather 60 home - 81.
"Plcass come He spoke as per-
suasively as he dared, for they were
surrounded by people, and he was
afraid of exciting remark.
@"Tbank you very much, but indie cd
/ would rather 60 home.'' Poor
child, she did not know it was her
deep love for him that made her long
to fy from him, nor could she guess
how he would misunderstood her.
His tone changed.
pray 60. if you prefer it, he
answered, very gravely; ''let me take
your cloak. " And with stern, Sc
face, he followed her to the carriag &c
in silence.
Aimee felt very miserable, and
could hardly answer the old ladies
well-meaning attempts at conversa-
tion Arrived at Birchlcigh, she
went to her room and spent her time
in tears, and trying to finish her let :
ter to her mother.
Sir Stephen was very surly all the
afternoon, shot atrociously, and felt
savage at being waylaid by Mrs.
Harewood, as he passed her boudoir.
Il want to speak to you.'
There is nothing to speak about"
he answered. shortly, and, it must be
confessed, rudely.
"Do you mean she has refused your"
CAS- good as; she would not let me
speak to her.
Mrs. HARDWOOD laughed. How
foolish you men are! I saw her
avoiding you. If she had wished to
refuse you she would have made an
opport tuuity and got it over. It's
quite true, | believe, that men cam
not understand the shyness Of true
love. If girl is really and proper
ly in love | think she would do any
thing rather than show it,
"She may think it too good to be
true! Now if you viii be rational
and wait here, | will send for her,
and | know it will be all right
Sir Stephen hesitated. You will
not prepare her. -
"No, you tiresome man! I shall
only say | want her to come here. -
"Very well. But if she refuses
me | shall be very angry with you,
for | am quite resigned to my fate" ="
$50 it SEEMS Mrs. Harcwood an
swered, satirically. "Now sit down
and be patient for a few minutes and
| will send for herr
Aimee was distressed at the pros
pect of having to face Mrs. Hare
wood so soon, but she could not re-
fuse, and with beating heart she
knocked at the boudoir door. No one
answered aud she went in. The room
was almost dark after the brilliantly
lighted hall. The one lamp was sha-
ded, and only cast pink radiance
over Mrs. Harewood's writipg-tablc, /
while the freight failed to reach the
face Of man sitting at the other
side Of the room.
She thought it was Mr.. Hardwood. |
and walked to the fire, expecting HIM
to speak to her, but started back as
Sir Stephen Dashwood got up, only
saying Aimee" in rather husky
voice.
Her impulse was to run away, but
she found she could not move. They
stood silently together for moment,
then he beganin low voice
.Your manner to me to-day has
made me very unhappy. Perhaps
you did not understand me last
night?" He paused, but she did not
speak, and he added, very quietly,
''Will you be my wifo::''
Still no answer.
"Aimee, speak to me. If you do
not care for me, in pity say so.
Only silence.
"Aimee what does this mean?'
He came closer as he spoke, and took
her hand in his.
This seemed to give her power to
speak, and her words came in = con-
fused torrent. -.-.-.... ...., !
Il don't know-I'ye been think
ing-I like you very much-but | am
not good enough-ana I don't know
what mamma would say
Somehow this vague answer seem
ed to satisfy Sir Stephen, and All
NEE found herself cut short in such a
way that confused her more than ever.
'Indeed-indeed, | am not good
enough, am SO young and foolish,
she said. as soon as BIZ paused in his
expressions Of happiness.
1--WE will write and ask Mrs. Bar
low opinion, be answered, smiling;
II think she will not be hard-heart-
ed. You really do care, my darling,
for a stupid old man like me:' -
80 yes. Why do you ask: You
know it," Aimee answered, almost
inaudibly. r ta
MAY I come in? it is long passsd
dressing time," said Mrs. Harewood,