Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-24

Luous' Auo AAoiesSoI PlCAcO ~ uP dSolI
for her. r. .s.,r. -
1 am much older than yourself. Mis-.
May he went on, and a very awk.
ward man in action and speech, as you
see. Not such one as,a young lady
would ever be likely to fancy. Only
only felt it my duty to ask YOU
Then at last May found her tongue
One would not like to marry any body
who asked her merely from sense o
Duty sne said, gravely, bending still
lower over her work.
The same flush tinged the professor:
face that had been there the night before
when said duty, Miss May he an.
swered her, Il only expressed the mo.
tive that had led me to speak to you thi:
morning. l said nothing of my OWL
feelings. Surely you must know that g
man like myself, who has neither youth
nor attractions of any kind. would, un.
der ordinary circumstances. ieel debar.
red from the right TO ask what younger
and happier man might ask. Such 8
one as myself can only stand aside, glad
to be your humble friend, and to wish
you all happiness to the end OF your life
7, There was something 80 pathetic il
the sight of the gentle, learned PROBES
sor addressing such words to the
thoughtless girl whom others treated as
companion in mischief, but whom hIs
love elevated to u pedestal above com
mon womanhood. that May might wei
have been restrained by it. HIS gray
hairs and simple kindness of life NIGH
have turned aside the Jokes his creduIity
kn
IDLY for moment;. then the old mis-
chievous sparkle came back to the eye!
that were so demurely dropped. =,
Yet you have altered your resolution
this morning?' she said, inquiringly.
AS 1 told you. Miss May, because
believed that it was rig ht for me to do so.
we L. said May. alter a long pause
In which she was scarcely able to keel
down the roguish quivering OF her lips
1T it is your duty t, marry me, it mus
be mine to marry you. l-'ii '--'' - 8.
Then you consent p -- s,atia e
Yes -.5. -,..,.-t ..-ss.
The tall. .ungainly man stopped, witt
no grace except that which love CAV,
him, and lifted her hand to his lips. H,
seemed no more astonished at her an
swer than he had been at the spiritua
visitation of the night before. ...---
When the boys came home that nigh
they found the professor radiant Mr.
and Mrs. Kingsley beamine approval
upon their daughter. and May hersel
submitting to 1t all with the most curl
Qua expression ever seen upon any
dimpled face-a compound OF laugh and
doubt, OF fun and fear. s.~
Whether she was prlcked by her con.
science. or only frightened by the bold
ness of the game she was Carrying on,
they could not tell. As soon as was pua.
sible they got her alone by herself and
fell upon her. metaphorically speaking
with an avalanche OF questions.
May. did he really ask you to marry
him? p
'Yes.' f la
You act as If you had said yes.'
We'll. SO l did
BY Jove.' calculated Tom, perfectly
confounded.
You know l told you. boys, that If
helped you in your fun you must let mt
have mine.'
But May. do you know he has already
asked fathers consent? How will yol
get out of it? What storm there will
bep -
She MEANS interrupted Jem, who
had been studying her face attentively
''to let it go on till it comes to the finale
and then say no instead OF yes when the
minister puts the question:
Toms face was picture of mingled
CONSERVATION and admiration. He hat
held Il very low opinion OF the courage
of girls up to this point, but here was
one who was willing to 90 beyond him
Did you think of this last night when
you wouldn't tell US what you were go
ing to do?' be asked humbly.
OF course l did,
Only think, Tom, he believed every
word OF it, after ALL put In Jem.
They congratulated each other upon
having perpetrated successful joke, but
still their countenances wore a very un.
easy expression.
After ali. May, it's little too bad, ,
said Tom. hesitatingly. The professor
Is good sort OF man, though he is such
a muff. We won't spoil your fun. o
course, but just look at 1t before you 90
ahead. Have you thought what an aw.
iul row there'll be when it comes out p
Its too late to stop now.' said his SIS
ter. family, as il she were little alarm
ed herself at the prospect.
We'll. anyway, May can marry me,
and SO get out of the scrape,' said Jem,
taking her hand consolingly.
She better marry you right after
the other ceremony. then.' answered
Tom, ominously. You'd better take
her out of iather's reach as fast as posi-
sib!e. He thinks everything of the old
professor
Well. why shouldn't we,' asked Jem,
with confidence. ~
IT'S just as we'll now as any time,
May won't mind.
And indeed May did look so relieved
at this proposal, alter the fashion of a
child who had Unexpectedly grasped a
that Tom began to think it
would be the best way out OF the scrape
alter all.
TO b. sure. the pair would have moth
ing to live on alter they were married,
except his sisters little gacy, which
would not go lar. and, beside, which
could not be claimed tor Il year, ill the
young lady was OF age. But Tom had a
cheerful confidence in Jem's abilities.
and as great confidence in his sister.
They finally settled it among them
selves that this was to be the denoue.
ment, and aiterward tried to look as if
sv erything was all right
One OF them at least failed lgnomin-
ously. Tom was attacked with fits of
seli-reproach every time he chanced to
meet the. professors eye. and whenever
The good. unconscious man showed him
any trit1ing kindness. would rush out OF
he house as if he were convicted
criminal. This went on tor a few
months. Tom growing more and more
c!onsclence-stricken, May more and more
silent and timid, till at last the powers
that be were moved to set the wedding
davV .'.f Vtn : =
They all felt kind of relief at this.
The joke which had seemed SO ludicrous