, 1878-03-01

"Nc,."
II want to say to you, my dear, that on
Mr. SGcriinglou's account, | don't think
YOU had better she whispered, but |
interrupted her by my exit from the
apartment.
The next train brought Mr.. Clyde
Sherrington.
"Hrw delightful that the spring is at
hand, snid he; "the sunshine growing
warm, and the grass springing; | passed
a bit of wood coming up from the station
that is full of arbutus. We will have
some delightful walks, Gerty. | am tired
of city life
Yes, Clyde, dear; but you see have
been obliged to make little plan that
will interfere somewhat with that ar.
rangement," | replied, quickly, ain fact,
for the family good, you know, want to
lend you to Patricia
LEND me 10 Patricia?'
"Yes; while lure away most ineig-
ible suitor she has. Mamma and con-
cudc that IL is the only way" added.
"Patricia has a fortune of one hundred
thousand dollars, you know
"Yes."
swell, we think this Mr.. Gage Red
mond is after her money. He is only a
brief1ess lawyer. We can't afford to let
Patty make such match rs that, and
so, as don't think I'm II totally uninter-
esting pe son-do you, ,Clydea-I am going
to try and tlirt little with Mr.. Redmond.
Now, you won't he bear and say no,
will you, dear! And you'll try to hel lp Us
by devoiing yourself bit to Patricia,
won't you2"
AT first my companion did not believe
that was in earnest, but when convinced
of my sincerity his astunishment was in
exprcSsibIe. remember that he STAN
mered out some faint objections, but |
would not listen, and before retiring that
night whispered to mamma that had
made it all right with Mr.. Sherrington,
and she had only to observe how nicely
would manage the whole matter.
| sent Patricia off in the morning to
find arbutus with Mr.. Sherrington,
while I waited to receive Mr.. Redmond.
When he came was in the garden, and
had ordered lunch an hour earlier than
usual. My pale blue silk looked beauti-
ful on the lawn grass.
"Pray come and see my tulips, Mr.,
Redmond" l called, as he walked up the
avenue.
He came, pleased enough, and as he
was especially fond Of flowers, had no
difficulty in OBTAINING him for more than
half an hour. Then, seeing him look at
his watch, observed:
"We won't wait uuch for Patricia, for
Mr.. Sherrington is with her. They have
gone roaming off after spring flowers, and
may not be back this three hours. Come
in and have bit of salad, with cup Of
chocolate, Mr.. Redmond. | made the
chocolate myself, and can recommend it,
So kept him for another half hour,
ard he lett, pleased with his visit.
Patricia and Mr.. Sherrington came
back only fifteen minutes after the usual
lunch hour, the former so delighted with
a profusion of pink arbutus as hardly to
heed when q servant informed her that
"Mr. Redmond had called to see her, and
stayed with Miss Gertrude for lunch"
1'Ie has been here. Very nice of you to
keep her cut of the way so long," whis-
pered to Clyde.
He looked at me queerly but said moth
ing. did not want him to expostulate
with me, as | believed he wished to do,
aud 80 kept apart from him during the
evening, leaving him to play and sing
with Patricia.
"Clyde has an elder Raymond
Just the one for Patricia" mused. III
wonder ii it cannot he brought about" :"
But soon had my hands full, for at
all hours Of the day and night MIR. Red
niond came to the Hermitage. And it
was not long before my success as de-
coy was patent to the most careless OBJ
server. He asked only for "Miss Ger
trude." He came solely to see me.
Ia three weeks the crisis bursted upon
me. lie proposed.
81 used to think Mr.. Sherrington was
your lover" he said, standing before me,
the light on his frank, handsome face,
"but late observation has shown me that
his visits here are for your sister. Since
you are free, then, will you not marry
mel can support you well, Gertrude,
or ! would not ask you to bind your fu-
lure to mine. The death of my grand
father two years ago left me $4,000, be-
side some real estate. have u pleasant
home on the Hudson-retired, but not
elegant-where would like to take you.
What do you think, Gertrudea Could
you be contented to leave your friends
and live at Rose Cottage with mel'
My amazement allowed me to stammer
nothing intelligible. In some distinct
way temporlzed the matter and
begged Mr. Redmond to give me time for
reflection.
He went away, making an appoint
ment for the next evening.
So thunderstruck was by the revela-
ton OF Mr.. Redmond's wealth that |
| ..,.,. ,,lD.,. ,l,o =, l.,nl