Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-05-26

were decidedly the deeper blue and more
bewitching-and lovely, ye' ow-gold hair
Walter found himself admIring the style
Of Miss Vance's cOiBeur before he had
known her an hour; and when he went up
to his room that night he felt as if between
the two, roguish Mabel and sweet little
Irene. he would never come out heart
whole.
"For Mabel is good little darling,
thought he, "and i will take Greatuncle
Abiah's advice and fall in love with her,
and thereby secure a generous share of the
Cressington estate. Egad! that's a happy
thought!
But the handsome young gentleman
went to sleep and dreamed, instead of
Mabers laughing eyes, of lrene's gentle,
tender ones; and awoke somewhere in the
middle of the night, unable 10 get asleep
again for thinking of her.
And the after days were not much better.
Uespite the golden value of Mabel, there
was something about Irene Vance that
made this headstrong fellow very foohshly
indifferent to the advice he had sworn to
follow
because, by Jove! fellow would have
to be made out of granite to resist the sweet
shy ways of such little darling as lrene
And I'll marry her if she'll have me, and
the money and property may go to the
dogs. Pve head and a pair of hands, and
blue-eyed Irene shall not sufferi"
1t was not an hour later that he met her
in the hall, carrying great boughs Of holly.
with which to festoon, down the walnut
staircase.
'Give me your burden, Irene," SAID he.
why did you not tell me you were going
to gather it, and let me go with you2 1t
is altogether too heavy burden for your
arms TO bear"
He managed to get the lovely sprays
from her arms, but it required an immense
amount of tardy effort on his part, and shy,
sweet blushIng ON hers.
'Answer me, Irene, Why didn't you
let me go with youi Wouldn't you have
liked il"
He demanded her answer in the most
captivating, lordly way, and she dropped
her eyes in great confusion.
eyes"
"Then why were you so cruel 10 met"
Il am not cIuel to anybody. Indeed l
must go now."
Walter placed himself squarely in the
way, and was looking down at her rose
tinted face.
''No, you can't go yet. Irene, you are
cruel, or you would never deprive one of
the opportunity to enjoy the blessedness
of your society,"" His voice lowered ten
derly, and he dropped his head nearer her
golden curls 'You know think it cruel
IN you to be so distant, and shy, and re-
served with me don't you, lrene?"
she shrank away, her lovely form drooP
ing like a lily, her cheeks hanging out their
signals OF distress and confusion.
"Oh, please don't talk so TO me. Indeed
| must 60! Mabel is waiting for the holly,
and she-they won't like it if
But she was a prisoner in his tight clasp.
''If what2 If they ind you and me
talking so conidentially together2"
mol mean If l don't take the holly
at once"
Walter put his arm around her waist be-
fore she knew what he was doing.
"Irene, look up. You shall not go un-
til yon let me see in your eyes if you love
me as we'll as love you'll Irene, my dear
little girl, do love you very dearly!"
she was silent for one second, and he
saw the quiver of her red lips. Then she
raised her head slowly, shyly.
"Yod love me2 Oh, Walter, what will
they all say2 Don't you know it is Mabel
you should say that to? am nobody, and
Mabel is an heiress."
Walter had both arms around her by this
time, and was looking ardently in her glow
ing face.
81 know Mabel Is all heiress, and nice
little girl, and also know you are a dar-
ling, my darling-and the only girl ever
asked to be my wife, or ever snail ask!
Say es, pet"
His tones were low and tender, but tri-
umphant.
"And you can deliberately give up 50
much for only just met"
Her wondrous eyes met his bravely now,
and thrilled him with the love light in
them.
"On'y just you, my own darllngl Why,
you are more than all the world tc me.
Come, we will go tell Uncle Abian at once.
Just one kiss first--you must!"
And he had more than one or two: before
ne led ner, blushlng, with tears trembling
on her lashes, like diamonds of a golden
thread, to Uncle Abiah, who sat in his
library with Mrs Cornelia, industriously
looking over receipt book. They looked
up in surprise as Walter marched in, Irene
on his arm, picture of confusion.
eff you please, Uncle Abiah, want
your blessing and cordial consent to receive
this little girl for your niece. l love her,
and she loves me-"
Uncle Abiah looked shrewdIy over his
glasses at Mrs. Cornelia.
"Well, sister. what shall we say TO this
youths demand2"
A broad smile of perfect delight was on
her merry face.
''Say? Why, tell them yes, and wei
come; and let them know their Aunt Cor
nelia isn't fool if their Uncle Abiah is. "
Walter looked on astonished, and felt
Irene's hand tremble on his arm.
''What is it, dear2"
She smiled through her tears as she look.
ed into his lnquiring eyes.
"Oh, Walter, / am afraid you will be
angry. / am Mabel after all, and-and-'
'.And you have made love to your cousin
the heiress, in spite of yourself, my boy.
So Hillcrest is foregone fate, after all,
eh2"
Don't scold, please Walterl' Mabel
pleaded, in low voice, with her blue eyes
looking into his.
GAS If l could scold you, my love!
Since 1 have you, what need carer"
And Mrs. Cornelia turned over the leaves
| of the receipt-bOOk until she came to S'Wed-