Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-11-12

was heard; and darting from the room, sh
left Miss Franks to smile over the impetu
business of lovers.
The afternoon was so lovely that she wa
tempted to open the creeper covered window
which overlooked the garden and breathe
the balmy spring air and sweet scents.
Presently voices beneath the window al
tracted her attention.
u must just get one peep at him." sale
she to herself, cautiously putting her head
little way out the window. Then she hear
the unmistakable sound of kiss, and Vic
cts smothered voice said remonstratingly-
How can you be so rash Suppose sh
Is at the window? 1t would be such pit
to spoil it all, after my deceiving her 8
beautifully"
Miss Franks shrank back suddenly, will
suppressed exclamation, for she had seel
a fine manly figure bent caressingly towar,
an eloquent upturned face, two pretty hands
clasped on broad shoulder, q strong arm
encircling slender waist
$50 she's been deceiving me all this time u
murmured Miss Franks-"been carrying on
this outrageous filtration with my brother
under my very nosei And to think that h,
too should behave in so dishonorable man
ner But Miss Lloyd shall hear of it, poor
i'll used child And so shall the other pool
dupe.
Here the sound of approaching footsteps
made her seat herselfat the other end of the
room, and the offending couple entered look
ing very innocent.
II am so glad to see you down stairs
said the doctor heartily as he took chaii
by his sisters side; "but you look as though
the exertion had been too much for you"
81 certainly feel more overcome than ex
pected, replied Miss Franks primly, adding
with an emphasis Violet's woman's wit de
tected at once, 81 found great difficulty in
getting back to my seat after standing at the
window for few minutes"
Violet blushed deeply and looked reproach.
fully at John, who, however, was quite al
his ease and ready to be trash" again on the
slightest provocation. She saw that Miss
Franks was still in the dark as to how mat.
tiers really stood, and determined, with char
acterstic courage, TO rush boldly to the
attack.
Dear Mis- Franks" she began in her soft
low voice, "will you forgive me for trying
under false pretences, to make you love me
and may still believe that / have not tried
in vaing John, come her." Then, putting
her hand in his, she continued with proud
humility new to her. "This is the man |
have promised to marry, who has made me
so happy with his love, so honored me by
his preference"
AS Violet paused, John locke d at her with
loving admiration blended Win astonish-
ment
But" began Miss Franks.
zone moment, Emily" interrupted her
brother, drawing Violet closer to his side,
| too, have few words TO say. When told
Violet of your probable displeasure at our
approaching marriage, she was conceited
enough to wager that in less than month
after you knew her you would love her If
she has won the wager-and / sec she has
can you wonder at my boundless love? /
have had the opportunity of seeing her in
private society, in domestic life; | know her
lorbearing kindness, her tender charity, her
amiability, her sincerity and unselfsh-
ness. Oh, my darling" he went on, gazing
into Violets gentle eyes, 81 don't know how
to thank you for what you have just said
You know how inexpressibly dear you are
TO me; and, if love, lasting love, can make
you happy, happy you shall be-"
Darling" murmurcd Violet, nesting
close TO him in her gentle, womanly way,
tall the happiness shall not be on my side"
But" put in Miss Franks, with bewi-
dered air, "who are your"
"Violet Lloyd, at your service" replied
Violet, recovering her natural gaiety and
dropping mock curtsey-"the baby faced
chit you dislike so much"
"You naughty glrl," said Miss Franks,
nearly crying for joy; am never forgive
you for letting me make such an old donkey
of myself Why, you told me yourself that
your name was Matthew'S
mo" laughed Violet; 81 told you my
aunts name was Matthews; and as you
persisted in thinking il was mine, did not
like to be 80 rude as to contradict you.
hope" she added demurely, that you do not
contemplate altering the plans we were dis
GUESSING this morning"
"Get along with you both, do, and have
another walk in the garden won't peep
this time see now how il was that my
brother paid me such extraordinary atten-
ton. All, john" she added earnestly, "Vi-
olet has won her wager; but you have won
something Of priceless value in gaining her
love"