Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-11-28
to get even a blunderlng odd follow like your,

She smiled and nodded and looked alto
gether 80 mischevious that Mr. Cressington
became quite excited over her little mys-
terry.
"Do explain, Cornelia"
And when she explained he leaned back
in his chair, with an expression of positive
awe and admiration ON his face
what woman you are, Cornelis de-
clare il beats anything ever heard in the
whole course of my life p
~
After dusk glorious winter day with here
and there star twinkling in the pale grey
sky, and the lights and lives In the Hillcrest
sitting-room making an elegant welcome to
Walter Austin, as he stood in the midst of
the home circle, tall, gentlemanly, handsome
and selfpossessed.
Old Mr.. Cressington was in his richest
humor as he led forward two young girls.
Come, don't shy now Walter, this is
your cousin Mable Cressington, and this
is her good friend and inseparable compan.
lon, Irene Vance, come to help entertain you
My nephew, Mr.. Walter Austin, girls. And
this is Aunt Cornela; you remember her
well enough, hey9'
| And so the presentation was merely gotten
over, and Walter found himself at home in
the most pleasant family he had ever known.
| They were remarkably pretty girls, with
blue eyes-although Miss vances were de-
cidedly the deeper blue and more bewitch-
ing-and lovely, yellow-gold hair, Walter
found himself admiring the style of Miss
Vances couture before he had known her an
hour, and when he went up to his room that
| night he felt as il between the two, roguish
Mable and sweet little Irene, he never would
come out heart whole.
"For Mable is a good little darling"
thought he, land / will take grand-uncle
Abiah's advice and fall in love with her, and
thereby secure generous share Of the
Cressington estate. Eyed that's happy
thought
But the handsome young gentlemen went
TO sleep and dreamed, instead of Mable's
laughing eyes, of Irene's tender, gentle ones;
and awoke somewhat in the night, unable
to get to sleep again for thinking of her.
And the after days were not much better.
Despite the golden value Of Mable, there was
something about Irene Vance that made this
headstrong fellow very foolishly indifferent
to the advice he had sworn TO follow.
Because, by Jove! fellow would have
10 be made out of granite to resist the sweet,
shy ways of such little darling as Irene.
And I'll marry her IL she'll have me, and
the money and property can go to the
dogsl I've head and pair of hands, and
blue-cyed Irene shall not suffer-
II was an hour later that he met her in
the hall, carrying great boughs of holly, with
which 10 festoon down the walnut staircase.
''Give me your burden, Irene said he
tits altogether too heavy burden for your
arms to bear
He managed 10 get the lovely sprays
from her arms, but it required an immense
amount Of. tardy effort on his part, and shy,
sweet blushing on hers.
hUbWtf Dit, lICuts w lily Uluil TOu itt
me 90 with your Wouldn't you have liked
itg
He demanded her answer in the most cap
tivating, lordly way, and she dropped her
eyes In great confusion.
ayes"
''fhen why were you so cruel to mey''
II am not cruel 10 anybody Indeed |
must go now,
Walter placed himself squaresy in the
way. and was looking down At her rose-tint-
ed face.
"No, You can't go yet, Irene, you are cruel
or you would never deprive me OF the OPP
portunity TO enjoy the blessedness Of your
society" His voice lowered tenderly, and
he dropped his head nearer her golden curls.
"You know think 1t cruel in you 10 be 80
distant and shy, and reserved with me-
don't you, lreney'
She shrank away, her lovely form droop-
ing like lily, her cheeks hanging ont their
signs of distress and confusion.
"Oh, please don't talk so tome Indeed,
must go! Msble is waiting for the holly,
and she they won't like II if
But she wssa close prisoner in his tight
clasp.
"If what? If they find us taking"
"No! mean If don't take the holly at
once"
Walter put his arms around her waist be
fore he knew what he was about
"Irene, look up You shall not go until
you lot me zee in your eyes IL you love me
a. we'll as love you Irene, my dear little
girl, love you very dearly"
She was silent for one second, and he saw
the culver Of her red lips. Then she raised
her head slowly, shyly.
"You love mes Oh, Walter what will
they all sayS am nobody, Walter, and
Mable is an hercss.'
Walter had both his arms around her by
this time, and WIS looking ardently into her
glowing face.
III know Mabe is an heiress, and nice
little girl, and also know you are darling
my darling-and the only girl ever ask
ed TO be my wife, or ever shall ask. Say !
yes, petr
His tones were low and tender, but tri-
umphant
And you can deliberately give mp 80
much for only just me ?"
Her wondrous eyes met his brayely now,
and thrilled him with the loye-lighti In them !
taOnlv met Won nv own darlin0i Who