Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1879-07-10
want to get married so soon.
Don't you think I'm right, mann

Is deslrous that you should get
married."
"Well, I'm not,n cried Janet
snappishly, "and that settles it.
Let US drop the subject
Westmoreland said nothing,
but he thought that, his worst
fears were confirmed. A few
minutes later he said with a great
effort:
"Janet, if your head aches so
badly, a long ride this afternoon
might be good for you after din
ner?" ,-,y.-
eyes, yes, "shereplied, bright
ening up. "1'he weather is very
fine to-day, and / shall enjoy a
long drive. So you may call
With your buggy after dinner,
but only On one condition.
'1What is that condition?" he
asked. 0f3A vT3TU3s3
"That you don't talk about
our wedding-day during the
drive" she replied.
He bit his lip in silent rage,
and left, Mrs. and Miss Walden
wondering what had caused his
face to assume so strange an ex-
preston. m - 81
; r "That settles it, he muttered,
as he was gleaying the house.
"She was impudent enough to
let the cat out of the bag. All,
Miss Janet Walden, if you knew
what is in store for you during
the ride YOU are going to take
with me this afternoon! If you
knew that your hours are num-
bereds" he added with a dia-
bolical chuckle. 81 will keep
you with me. in Sthe buggy
until after dark, and then, by
mistake-ha! ha! ha!-by mis-
take / will take the route lead
ing to the precipice among the
rocks on Rock Creek, and l will
whip my horse so flriously that
ne will go right down with you!
l knowwhere to jump off. That
shall be your punishment, you
fair-skinned, fair-faced serpent!"
AT five o'clock Mr.. Westmore-
land drove his stylish buggy up
to Mrs. Walden's door. {! He
was calm and collected, and as
he helped Janet into the buggy
no one would have been able to
see in his demeanor any indica-
ton of the fell purpose that ami
mated him.
Janet was more amiable to-
ward him than she had been in
the morning.
James, she SAID, quite ten
derby, as they were entering the
old race-couse at a brisk trot,
81 have TO beg yourlpardCn."
"My pardon?" he asked, with
a fi.ig-id smile. "You have done
nothing to me, so far as | know" "
EYES, l have, James, she said
earnestly. I was llnkind to
you this morning, and 1 want
you to forgive Inc for it."
"When you asked me this
to fix our, wedding-day,l
| pettishly refused. Twas sick.
/ am sorry for, what ] did. Will
you forgive me, James?'' HsI
8 He taniedE toward Janet with
a strange expression Of counte-
nance.
"Let me ask one question:"
he said.
"What is it, dear?" she asked,
with her sweetest smile.
"Wll you marry me before
the last of this month, Janet?"
"James, ]. have myreasons for
putting Off the happy day a lit
tie longer"
'sThen tell me your reasons"
he said, almost imperiously.
"Yes-no, DEAR she replied,
in an imploring tone, "don't in
sist on my telling you those rea-
sons. Why do you frown so
darkly?'' she added, Then she
said with an arch smile: Il have
a surprise in store for you in re-
gard to our wedding-day."
"A surprise!''he calculated Bit
terly.
"Yes, a surprise, but pleas
ant one" she replied. FLAMES,
you are so strange to me to-day.
What ails you?'
"Nothing, nothing" he said,
his head.
Il know BETTER" she insisted.
But he refused TO admit the
truth of her charge. For a time
they rode along in silence. Then
he began to speak to her in a.
pleasant tone ON indifferent sub
iects. Now her answers were
monosyElabic. He had hurt her
feelings. He tried to cheer her
up, and was, finally successful.
james y she said at last, II
wish you'd do me a favor"
a favor? Certainly, Janet, I" :.
lie replied. d t K
q s.It is this. Percy Beers is al
ways hanging around YOU"
"What'of It? He is a good
friend of minc."
81 doubt it veryfmuch. 9th
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