The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1874-01-08
"e'l'meaoing attempts st conversation.
Arrived 1t Birohlsigh she went to her
room snd spsnt her time in tears, and
trying to finish her letter to her moth.

trying to 6uish her letter to her moth.
ev.
Sir Stephen was very surly oil the |
afternoon, shot strociously, sud felt
savage At being wayls,d BY Mrs. Hare
wood, a he passed her boudoir.
II want to speak to you."
''Tbere is nothloe to speak about"
be answered. shortly, and, it must be
confessed, rudely.
"Do you mean she has refused
you?"
"As good As she would not let me
speak to her,"
Mrs. Hars~ood laughed. "aow
foolish you men are! / saw her avoid.
ing you. II che had wished to refuse
you she would have made an oppor.
tunity and got it over. It's quite true,
believe, that men css not understand
the sh5ue Of true love. If . girl is
really and properly In love, I think che
would do anything rather than show
it."
"But 1 spoke to her last night"
"She may think it too good to be
true! Now if you will be rational and
wait here, will send for her, and l
know it will be oil right"
Sir Stephen hesitated. "You will
not prepare her."
mo, you tiresome man! I shall
only say want her to come here"
"Very we'll. But if she refuses me
! shall be very angry With you, tor l
am quite resigned to my fate.''
$50 it SEEMS" Mrs. Harewood an.
sve1ed, satirically. "Nov cit down
and be patient for a few minutes, and
will send for herr
Aimee was distressed at the pros
peot of having to face Mrs. Harevood
50 soon ; but she could not refuse, and
With beating heart che knocked At
the boudoir door. No one answered,
and she went in. The loom was al.
most dark after the brilliantly lighted
hall. The one lamp was shaded, and
only cast q pink rsdience over Mrs.
Rarewevd's wutiug.tsble, while tbe
freight failed to reach the face of =
man sitting at the other side Of the
room.
She thought it WAS Mr.. Rarevood,
and walked to the fire expecting bin
to speak to her, but started back as Sir
Stephen Dashwood got up, only saying,
"Aimee," in rather husky voice.
Her impulse vas to run away, bat
she found she could not move. They
stood silent together ior a noment,
then he began in low voice:
"Your manner to me to-day has
made me very unhappy. Perhaps you
Old oot understand me last night :"
He paused, but she did not speak, and
he added, very quietly, "Will you be
my wife p
| Still no answer.
"Aimee, speak to me. If you Dc
not care for me, in pity say so.''
/ Oo]Y silence.
"A'mee, what does this mean :" IL
came closer as be spoke, and took he,
passive hand in his.
That seemed to give her power to
speak, and her words came in a COD.
fused torrent.
IL don't know-I've been thinkipg
II like you very much-but an not
good euoush-aud l don't know wh.,
mamma would -ay."
Somehow this vague answer seemed
to satisfy Sir Stephen, and Aimee
found herself cut short ia way which
confused her more thsn ever.
"Indeed indeed am not coed
enough l an so young and foolish,
she said, a. soon as he paused 10 bis ex.
pressions Of happiness.
1--WE will write and ask Mrs. Bar.
lows opinion" he answered, smiling
~ think she will not be srd.hearted.
You really do care, my darling, for q
stupid old man like me 2"
"Oh yes. Why do you ask? You
know it," Aimee answered, almost in.
audibly.
"Msy I come in? it is long past
dressing, ,time," said Mrs. Aarewood,
entering the room.
"Please," Sir Stephen answered, in
. much more cheerful tone than. when
he had last spoken to her. II wanted
to see you, to say that If you will sllov
me to stay here, l shall let my Affairs
at home take care OF themselves to.
morrow.
Mr.. and Mrs. Barlow were delighted d