The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-09-16

quickening and answering TO her beat
ing heart.
81 know you," he said presently
"and L think have frightened YOU
Did you take me for burglar?
YES" whispered Ervine. "Will
you please to let me 20 now2"
"No; not until you tell me why Won
ried to capture me-"
II thought, with little constrained
laugh, "you were going to steal your
own diamonds. heard some strange
mon, who were fishing in distant par,
of the park, talking about diamonds
this afternoon, and how easy it was to
sell them"
Ingraham commenced to laugh softly,
in the darkness. "Why, it was Jack
Valdon and /. jack is an intimate
friend of mine, and came to see me on
a little business. He only arrived in
the village in the morning, and goes
away this morning, so could not per
suade him to coma up here. But we
went fishing together in the afternoon.
and after dancing last evening l went to
The hotel and played cards with him
until quite late. Coming home it had
grown quite cloudy, and in the park |
lost my way. When I found the house
all was darkness and stiffness, I went
round to the rose terrace, and thought
1 would SIT on the balcony until some
of the servants were up, rather than
rouse the house. There, to my surprise,
I found window open, and so con,
cluded to try to find my room, though,
unfortunately, I had no matches with
me. Where were you p
"Asleep in q chair by the window you
entered. 1 must have awakened by the
time you were half across the parlor."
And how wasit you called no one ?'
Il expected you would go directly to
the buffers pantry and could run up
the stairs and arouse the house. In.
stead OF that you went up the stairs,
too"
Again Ingraham laughed softly.
"Yes, to steal my own diamonds, y
he said.
"Whose diamonds were you talking
about ?" demanded Ervine.
"About Miss Shorts. I was de.
scribing her to Jack. He thought he
had seen her in the village, and l asked
if she wore blue dress and great array
of diamonds"
"Well, have made great goose oil
myself" )" said Ervine, with disgust in her
tones.
And then she straightened herself,
suddenly remem boring that she had
been standing all this time with In
graham's arm about her.
"Don't say that" retorted her com.
panion, without loosening his clasp.
Il am glad it has all happened; and I
don't mean to let you go yet; for, per-
haps, here in the darkness shall have
the courage to declare what your freez.
ing eyes will never let me say when ]
can look into them that I love you,
Ervine, and want you to marry me-"
"Me-me, Mr.. Ingraham ?" said lGr.
vine, blankly. "I-I-"
"Stop, Ervinel Don't tell me that
you care nothing for me. Give me
some hope. Tell me that you will try
TO care for me, for you are the only
woman I ever wished to marry-thc
only woman will ever marryp
Mr.. Ingrahanl, you cannot accuse
me OF having encouraged YOU 10 talk tc
me in this way" said Ervine, proudly
"No," he broke out, passionately
81 might have known better than t.
have appealed to you believe yol
are utterly heartless! Eut Ervine,
softcning, 81 love you. Romembe
that, always"
He unclasped his arms, but Erwin
did not stir. Instead, she did mos
strange thing, considering that sh,
hated this man. She put up one o
her strong white hands, and drew
down his head until it rested agains
her soft white cheek.
And Mrs. Grancy was in a state o
beatitude, indeed, the next day, whei
Mr.. Ingraham announced to he
his betrothal to her daughter
although she did not see, and nevo
knew, quite how it all came abont. Fo
Morgan and Ervine never betrayed tn
secret OF their encounter {" In the Dark.