Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22

attentions to Mary and listening to
her prattle about him. thought
her supremely silly, and told her
so. She was astonished at my pct
ulanee, but l don't think she sus-
pected the truth. Only father did
that, and he looked so, "SerTed you
right. miss" that 1 longed for him
to be a woman for an hour or 90,
that could talk back to him.
One day after GeOnry had been
month with US, and we were begin
ming to think of going home again,
a riding party was proposed to the
top of the mountain. Father and /,
GeOffry and Mary-that would be
the order, of course, and l was pre-
pared for that; but there is last
straw in every burden, and my last
straw was this incident. They were
mounted and waiting for me when
Mary dropped her gauntlet. From
my window / saw GeOffry pick it
up, put it on the little hand laid on
his, and then kiss il. After that l
was not going to ride for ''KiHg nor
Kaiser" l sent q positive refusal
to all entreaties, and only lOnged for
them to get out Of my sight, so that
might indulge in good refresh
ing cry.
As soon as l was sure they were
fairly gone, l threw of my habit
and hat, unpinned my chignon and
then threw myself face downward
on the bed. L cried myself to sleep,
and woke at dusk considerably
calmed and with a newborn pur-
pose in my heart, which cOmfOrted
.ua.Anv.Er.Hnv- ..E
which was, F'She stoops to cOnquer.o
Yet did not dress again. knew
they were to stop TO tea at Mr.. La
celle's and so / threw my dressing
gown around me and taking "Red
as a Rose is She" in my hand, or
dered 4 good cup of strong tea and
went into the sitting-room. AS l
walked in at one door, GcOf1ry
walked in at the other.
81 came to take you up to Mr..
Lacelle's, Olive, he said.
GLOW do you propose doing it,
sir? For unless you tie me hand
and foot and get couple of darkies
to tote me there. your chances of
success are small"
81 could carry you myself"
"Could you? 1 don't think you
would enjoy the journey
"Will you dare me do it?9
"Not tonight; l should like to in
sure my life first"
"Olive you have been crying"
81 have not, sir" Indignantly;
''and if have, what is that. TO you?"
reproachfully.
"a great deal. Oh, Olive! you
teazing, beWitching, provoking lit
tie mortal. Can't you see how mad
ly 1 love you? Do marry me, my
darling"
cit is not six months since the
last time, Geofrry."
'I don't care; it looks like six
years; and Olive can't and won't
bear this any longer. You know
you love me-"
81 do not"
"You have loved me eve since you
were eight years old"
Il have not"
''Now you must take me forever,
or leave me forever, tonight. l
have asked you three times BEFORE"
"Four times, SIR"
"Wen, four times, then. Odd
numbers are lucky, here is the fifth.
1OA hhOh " A4eN1 Al W eAAbg Ot4NC-
your promise 10 be mine. Is it to
be, Now or Never?"
l suppose every one has a good
angel; mine must have been at its
post just then, for strange feeling
of humility and gentleness came
over me. l glanced up at the hand
some face, all agloW with Loves di-
vine light; at the eyes full of gra-
ciOUs entreaty; at the arms half
stretched out to enfold me. Yet
Pride struggled hard with Love-
l stood up silent and trembling,
quite unable to acknowledge my
self Vanquished, until 1 saw him
turn away grieved and sorrowful;
thSn L said, "Geoffry, love! Come
back; it is now"
That is the way said "Yes;" and
L have never been sorry for it. My
temper gives me good deal of trou-
BILE yet, and if IL live to be the age
Methuselah l shall never be a meek
woman; but still suit Geoffry, and
L take more kindly to his authority
than ever l did to the paternal rule.
Father laughs with shy triumph at
Geoffry's victory; and he sent me as
a wedding present splendid copy
of the "Taming of the Shrew."