The Northern Pacific farmer., 1881-11-03
THE UNCONCIQUS CONFESSION.

front OF tho Metropolitan Hotel, at Long
Branch.
Ny story goes back to the days when
to the Branch were unknown, and
the transit to New York was achieved by
coaches to Sandy Hook, where q steamer
awaited the passengers.
A tall, handsome young man, at the sum-
mons came down the staircase, two steps
at a time. ana almost ran over matronly
woman. few years his senior, who was
crossing the hall.
What? Going to leave us?" said the
ady in some surprise, and with more mean
ing in her look than in her words even.
"Yes! it's no use. was the reply. "Thanks
your looks, Mrs. Maxwell. But I'm tired
Of playing the fool.'
"Pshaw!' said the lady, putting her arm
familiarly into his, and leading him into the
drawing room, which, at that hour, was
deserted. Faint heart never won fair
lady, MIR. Hastings. Listen to me. The
coach will wait moment"
1T is not question of faint heart" an
swered the gentleman. But Kate won't
have me. See here, Mrs. Maxwell, it's
hardly fair Of you to corner me, but she
refused me point blank last night"
And what il she did2 I refused Mr..
Maxwell the first time myself. It's way
some Of our sex have. Come, stay, and
try again."
I'm proud man, was the reply, ''and
don't like being triAed with. But I'd stay
if I thought 1t would do any good. But it
won't. She isn't anywhere about, you see,
though told her I would go away to- day.
When said it she actually laughed. And
yet confound her, can't help loving her." j"
Mrs. Maxwell would have liked to have
laughed also. But she knew better than to
do it just yet.
"She was little hystefical or she would
not have laughed" she said. The truth
is Herbert, you are pair Of fools. You
| are proud, as you say, and don't brook re-
fusals. Kate is, perhaps, bit of firt,
but sincerely believe she loves you. All
she needs is a little urging. You must
storm the fortress till it surrenders. Give
her no quarter, that is my advice: and now
Mrs. Maxwell, seeing his face brighten,
ventured laugh.
It was clear, musical laugh, and il
| cheered Herbert still more. lie hesitated.
If another five minutes could have been
granted to Mrs. Maxwell she would have
prevailed. But, at this moment, voice
| cried:
"Here he is. Hurry up, Hastings, The
stage driver wort wait another moment,
and Hastings shook his head to Mrs. Max
wells entreating look, wrung her hand
and dashed out Of the drawing room.
| It was six miles or SO to the steamboat
landing. And now Herbert began half to
repent Of what he had done. Perhaps
have been to hasty." he said to himself
"What if Mrs. Maxwell is right2"
| He mused thus for quite half mile.
I Y,1o %<>r t>on koA Ut
"Hold on driver" he cried aloud, '1've
changed my mind. Stop till I jump out
I'll walk back"
Before his sleepy companions could ask
what he meant, he had left the coach, had
lit Cigar, and was plodding through the
heavy sands on his return.
His mood soon changed again. What 8
precious fool am making Of myself" he
reflected, and he turned to hail the coach
but it was quarter of mile off.
He stopped still. IF that fish hawk dives
before count fifty" he said, "I'll go back
to the Metropolitan; if not, I'll walk to the
landing and take the afternoon boat"
The fish hawk dove almost Immediately
"Fate has decided for me" he said desper.
ately. Now let US see how wisely"
Meantime, where was the offending Kate
To do her justice, she was not aware how
much che loved Hastings until she had re.
fused him. It was not altogether coquetry
that led her to say 'no." The answer hae
been given in the first surprise and embar.
rassment of the proposal.
Even before he left her she bitterly re-
pented what she had said. Had he perse
vered little longer, she would have con
fessed the truth. She did not, however
believe he would lease the Branch, ever
after he hal said so. Hence, early in th'
morning she had started for long walk OF
the beach, hoping to meet him there, al
usual; for hardly a day had passed within
the last fortnight that these two had net 81
met.
There was an old wreck at that time
about o mile or more above the Metropo
Titan. which had been favorite haunt o.
theirs, and thither she repaired. She trie(
to read till Herbert should appear, but he
thoughts wandered from her book continu
ally. Meantime, the hours passed withou
Herbert appearing. Her heart began t.
fail her. She spent the time examining
her feelings, and the more she scrutinize'
them, the more she felt her love had gon
from her forever; By-and- by the hot tear
began to come. She knew how proud Hast
ings was, and she said to herself he wOul
never come back.
The sea rolled heavily in; the fish hawk
sailed overhead; the breeze blew fresh iron
the eastward; the sun shone dazzlingl
bright. It was getting toward noon. Sh
gave up all hope, at last, and rising, begal
to walk back toward the hotel. But, afte
while she sat down again, on a bowlde
under shelter of the bank, for she had bee
all this time upon the beach below it. Sh
would not yet abandon the chanca of eco
ing him. Gradually she fell into sort Q
revery, and began, half unconsciously, t
trace Herbert's name in the sand with th
point Of her parasol.
It was at this juncture that Herbert
walking along the top of the bank abo7e
discerned her. He hastily sprang dow
steps toward her.
He thought she would hear him as h
approached. But she did not. He ap
preached so close at last that he could Loo
over her shoulder. Blessed vision! Coul
he believe hiE own eyesp She was writin
with her parasol in the sand the words
"Herbert, love you"
Hastings could control himself no longer
His cigar had long been out, though re-
tanned mechanically; he now flung it away
and stopping over, caught Kate's face il
his hands and kissed her full on her rip,
lips.
Darling" he whispered, clasping he
in his arms and drawing her to him, Goo
bless you for those words. I'd come Il
try my fate once more. Say that dear con
fession over again"
Kate was silent for while. But his ca
resses soon dried her tears. and made he
forget her momentary shame.
What happy hour it was that followed
The lovers paced up and down the strand
far out Of sight of any intruders, exchang
ing confessions as to when they first bega1
to be interested in each other. Ah! thu
first hour Of mutually acknowledged affec
ton. Is there anything in life, ever after
half, or quarter SO blissful?
CRAZY OVER GOLD.
A "Crank" Who Would Take Nothing but
| Coin for His Bonds.
This afternoon an old man with q wallis,
full Of gold beside him, and quantity O.
| the cOin which he was cOuntinQ on the tRhl,