The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-10-04

for her, she decided. And then liked
him all the better for the decision.
Did he propose? Yes; just three
months from the day of their meeting,
and in this wiser
mabel, we are very agreeable, and
like each other, hope. Suppose you
become my wifep'
That was his proposal; never word
of love-not even a demonstration of
anxiety as to the loss or gain. 1t was
his way, she decided, and accepted him.
1t was early September that he asked
her to marry him. 1t was early October
when he came to her in the dusk of the
evening, and with ring of yearning
wistfulness in his quiet, unsteady tones:
Mable, did you ever love anyone be-
fore me?' he asked, so abruptly as to
startle her.
EYES," she said.
"And you quarrelled-this lover and
yourselfT'
Not at all; we merely parted"
{" You really loved this man, MabelT'
questioningly.
After the fashion of most girls at
seventeen. We parted, however, and
that settled everything"
81 But if he were to come back to you
the same man he was when you parted
were he to come back now, asking that
the past be forgiven"
~ would tell him that had forgotten
the past and him."
Cliff sat down on low camp stool at
her feet.
"Mabel," he said, "more than two
years ago | learned to love woman
with all the passionate fervor of life's
first and only love. | wooed her, and
gained her affections A few months
after our betrothal we differed, quarreled,
parted, determined never to look upon
each other again. Then, after long
while, | came to Summit. We met, and
the rest you know. Do not think me
treacherous, Mabel, in asking your love
when | did. | admired you as much as
was possible with the memory of Marion
Maye lying between US. | meant to be
true and faithful to you; but last night
Marion Maye came to Summit View"
His voice ceased entirely; and it was
well for MabePs overtaxed endurance.
For second the globe seemed reeling
beneath her. Then she struggled to her
feet, and, slipping his ring from her
finger, dropped it into his hand.
"And you have confessed wrongs, and
righted them. All, well, SO be it?
There is your troth, Mr.. Alden; take it,
and my sincerest well-wishes. | hope
You may be very happy! Good byel"
She watched him walk down the road
until the bend closed around him and
separated their lives for ever. She cried,
of course; it was only consistent with
her womanhood that she should. By
and-by the moon crept up, and with its
first streak of light Mark Hamilton
walked into 8abels presence.
Mabelp' said he, in horror.
"Oh, it's you, is itT' said Mabel, I'M
graciously enough. Well, he's gone"
Precisely what thought myself, DEAR"
said Mr.. Hamilton. "You see, | I'M
willingly heard a few of your remarks
while searching for sheet of legal cap
in the hall. | know the whole thing
Mabel, and pity you triae more than
you deserve"
q know I've been a great fool, said
self-accusing Mabel.
"And Pm going to be another, just to
be even with you. know I'm old
Mabel"
"Only thirty-eight," protested Mabel.
ugly, not over rich, and in love
with you. What say you, Mabel, dear?
Is it yes or no? Come now, mo blush
ing and murmuring. You should have
self-confdence enough to dispense with
all such nonsense"
What did she answer? hardly know
something of no importance to anyone
but their happy selves. She married
him
Mr.. Alden married Miss Maye. And
Alfred Mervin? One day he came back
to Bustleton, as poor and good looking
as when he had left. Mabel and he
met, OF course.
''Ah," he said, 81 thought you had
forgotten me, Mabel.
81 never forget my friends" said
Mabel.
Then he asked indirectly if she were
still single, and she said NO." with a
relish.