The Phoenix herald., 1879-07-12
Why do YOU ask ?"

'' Is your brother tall and slight with heavy, dark mustache and darl eyes? :? And was he on 8 cbestnu horse ?"
 ' Yes. Why, Sunshine I dol dc really believe 1t was you he saw Blue eyes and golden hair-it certainly wa. yOu-tell me, dear; was it?
 Well, I met two gentlemen this morning, certainly and as they asked me some questions I answered them.
 " Oh, am so glad Won't he be surprised to see you here ?"
 't Promise me, Minnie, not to men tion this affair before your brother, fol perhaps he will not remember me-"
 " You certainly made an impression Sunshine, without knowing it. Now know he will love you, for he can't helr it and I shall be so happy P'
 " Nonsense He will do no such thing So put that foolish thought out of your head as quickly as possible"
 Very well, we'll see. But come down to the parlor and sing to me-"
 So saying, the girls descended to the parlor, and going to the piano, Ethel sang Bonnie Sweet Bessie" As he1 sweet words of the song, Ned Watson
 
 stood entranced behind the singer.
 Rising from the piano, she perceived Ned's quick look of recognition, as, ac- knowledging the introduction, he said
 '' think I had the pleasure of meet ing Miss Thorn this morning, did l not ?"
 $ believe so.'
 F' owe you an apology for address ing you, but the temptation to hear you speak was too great to be resisted. Will you pardon me, and consider me your friend? Although I have but just met you, l have heard Minnie speak of you so often, that 1t seems as though 1 had long known you."
 $ Certainly; will willingly be your friend.'' D
 Many were the hours Ned and Ethel spent in each others society after that evening, and the long summer days seemed very short to them as they rode, sailed, or watched the moons light from the veranda, and, as the end of Ethel's visit was fast approaching, she thought of how lonely she would be, and how she would miss Ned's friend ship; for she was learning to love him, and the discovery of that fact had made her shorten her visit.
 ' Sitting on the Teranda the last day of her stay, and with these thoughts in her mind, she was aroused by footsteps, and looking up saw Ned standing by her side.
 This is the last evening we will have you with us, and I am going to ask a great favor of yon; will you walk with me down to the river ?''
 Yes"
 Throwing a wrap around her, she took his arm and went with him. Neither spoke until, standing by the water side, Ned said
 '' have brought you here tonight, Ethel, to tell you what has long been on my mind, and what I wish you to know before you leave us. Will you sit down here on the bank, and listen ?''
 Silently consenting, she seated her self, and folding her small white hands in her lap, waited for him to speak.
 < have been waiting several days for chance to tell you, Ethel, how much love you. I have loved you ever since that morning l met you by the water. and brought you here to night by that same river, to ask you to be my wife. Tell me, darling, that you love ne, and will be my darling wife, and bring sunshine to my heart"
 Raising her eyes to his she whispered her consent, and was folded in his arms.
 And thus we. leave them, with the moons full light falling on them and the surrounding valley. making 1t an enchanting picture.- WaUerlsy lfaga-