The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-30
A Meat Way to Propose.

II N0dI way W 4AOpUo0'
DR.. Gcrsllam threw himself wearily into
the great armchair In Mrs. Hyde's cozy
sitting room. He had just returned from a
professional visit, and long ride in the
cold and wind had given him severe head
ache. The doctor was Mrs. Hyde's board
er, but he had been 80 long in the family
that he seemed like one of them.
Quecnic Brian, Mrs. Hydc's niece sat by
the window busy with some ncedlc-work.
Quccnie was a brilliant, slender little
thing of seventeen, with short boyish curls,
and big, roguish brown eyes.
On the death Of her parents years before,
she had been adopted by her aunt. Quccnic
was wayward, wllful and bewitching, and
ruled right royalty in the little village Of
Wayland. Her cousins, Tom and Johnny
Hyde, were her devoted slaves, and she
alternately pctted and teased them. Only
of DIR. Gcrsham was she shy; and some
times he even was not quite safe from her
wild pranks But afterward he would in
variably find peace offering in the shape
of some favorite delicacy on the tea-table,
or perhaps his dressing gown and slippers
comfortably warmed and ready for him on
his return from long, tedious ride.
1t is not to be supposed, however, that
she confessed to any of these Weaknesses
am afraid, on the contrary, that my small
heroine manufactured innumerablc fibs
when questioned closely.
DIR. Gersham had grown wise through
experience, and generally accepted these
little favors with smile and but few words.
On the afternoon OF the opening of my
story, as the stalwart figure in the arm
chair gave long sigh of weariness and pain,
Quccnic threw the work aside and ran from
the room. She returned presently with an
arnful of cushions, which she arranged in
vitingly on the lounge, and wheeling it
closer to him, motioned the doctor to the
impromptu couch.
He smiled and obcyed her gesture, catch
ing her hands as he sank back on the pill
lows.
"Why did you do this, Queenie7"
She laughed archly, trying to release her
'T don't know guess because I love
YOU"
'Do you-do you 2" he asked, his face
flushed eagerly.
~ don't know. Do you love me2"
"Ah have you need to ask mo that,
girlic2 Kiss me 2"
He endcavorcd to draw her face down to
to his, but she slipped from his grasp.
81 shall not kiss you, because the man
whom kiss of my own free will will be my
future husband!" and away she danced,
saluting Tom in the hall with merry jest.
DR.. Gersham sighed.
'Shc Is only child, " he said; "a bright,
beautiful, happy child. will be thirty
two years on to o-morrow-too cid and
steady for little humming-bird like
Queenie.
Several evenings later, Queenie entered
the library where the doctor sat reading his
journal.
doctor, see If don't look NICE"
go, don't bother me !" he answered,
shortly, burying himself still deeper in his
journal.
''Humphi Cross thing am going with
Charlie Will skating on the creek. There
is sure to be crowd, and want to know
If look nice"
He put his paper aside and looked at her.
1t was impossible to help admiring Queenie
at any time, and in her jaunty skating Co.'S
tune, she was more bewitching than ever.
But the doctor only said, as he struggled
with the passionate love In his heart, "You
are vain little thing-you look we'll en-
ough."
Queenle shook her skates together with
musical clash, tried to frown on him, and
laughed instead, then asked with mock
gravity:
''Do you love me as we'll as you did last
Tuesday9"
eyes"
Queenie hcsitated moment, swayed to-
ward him, roguish dimple coming at one
corner Of her mouth then her warm breath
swept his face, as with sudden movement,
she turned and left the prints of her wicked
white teeth on his cheek The next In
stant she had flown, while her tantallzing
laugh floated back to the solitary man in
tho library.
DR.. Gersham was great lover of music;
and a handsome organ, his property, occu-
pied one corner of the parlor. +,
One afternoon In the early spring, the
doctor was singing, and accompanying him
self on the organ. He had thought himself
tho solo occupant of the room, and drifted,
presently, into grand old hymns, solemn
chants and weird dirges. The deep voice
rose magnifcently. Surely DR.. Gershanl
might we'll be proud Of his voice. He
paused to look at some music In the rack,
and there was moments sllence, broken
suddenly by a low sob. The doctor turned
and saw Queenie curled up in the recess Of
window, Never before, during all hil
4 acquaintance with her, had he seen tn,
child in tears. He crossed the room ant
took her In his arms q.
"Why, little Queenie What is 1t
dear 7'' &. 5l a \;
All, naughty Queenie Why lid 70,
not tell him how his music has stirred you
wilful hearth But, uo-L-she gasped ant
buried her face In her white apron as oh,
answered t
ssWhy, you'see, Tom has gone Of eelinl