The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-06-13
A Marplot's Story.

They had remained standing; but now he
drew Mrs. Eliot to the low easy chair and
forced her to sit down. then, standing in front
of her, prepared to listen.
The old lady had not had real story to tell
for many day, her inirmity shutting her off
from competent knowledge of tho little dramas
which went on under her eyes. Thus she
might have enjoyed considerable prolixity of
detail; but she felt for Alan, whose face wore
look of actual physical pain.
"It was more than an hour ago." she began,
folding and unfolding her little plump hands
as they lay in her lap. 81 had no idea that
Katharine was receiving visitors in here at
this time of day, and came down to get
book opened that door wide. Then saw
they were standing just there. He-he-he
had-his-arm-about- Her head was
on his shoulder" Alan turned away, and the
old lady quite broke down. Excuse my Civ
ing these Details" she said, with agitation;
"but in order to-"
'fNo matter. Go on,'' almost shouted Alan
"Of course the position of things was as
clear as could be. L never saw Katharine like
that, even with Mr.. Warrington. Well, well,
to proceed. Mr.. Truax saw me, and whis-
pered to Kate, who raised her head. Il see it
all, said 1. You need not say a word, my
dearest child. You are engaged to be married.
wish you and Mr.. Truax joy, do with all
my heart went up and kissed them both.
was so overcome hardly knew what was
doing. Katharine grew very red, and walked
over and sat down in that chair; but Mr.. Tru-
ak gave me his hand, and said, She has
promised to give up her trip to Europe felt
hardly able to speak; so turned round and
went out and up stairs. There on the landing
met the two little angels just dressed, and
looking SO beautiful. L thought Mr.. Truax
ought to see them at once; so took them from
the nurses, and, leading one by each hand,
brought them in Mr.. Truax had gone over
to Katharine, and stood with his hand on the
back of her chair leaning down, talking and
laughing 'Oh, sir!' burst out, almost crying,
it all seemed SO affecting I have brought
kiss their dear father But while 1 spoke /
felt sure that had made mistake. Kathar-
inc looked dreadfully annoyed; while Mr.. Tru-
ak colored, and bit his lip, and kept perfectly
silent. Presently, however, as if he felt that
he must resign himself to circumstances, he
half laughed, sat down, and beckoned to the
children; and Maud ran and climbed up on his
knee. He pushed the hair from her forehead
and kissed her, saying few words could not
catch, then set her down, patted Davy on the
head, and in obedience, no donbt, to some
word from Kate, rang the bell, and sent for
the nurses, who took the children away. l as
sure you, DIR. Ford, l followed them"
Alan, in spite of his feelings, could not re-
sst smiling. If the lovers had not considered
Mrs. Eliot's intrusion to be an interruption, it
was evident that the incident struck him in
that light
81 suppose it all showed deficient tact on
my part" said the old lady, conceding the
point; ''but when man marries widow"
"He has not married her yet. But there
seems little doubt that they are engaged"
Katharine is in love with him, am sure;
but when think of the way he locked at
those two beautiful children, /"