The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-08-03
Did your sister saw an this to Mis-.


- Did your sister say an this to Mise
Christabel?'' Falconer asks, grayely.
. les, she did. - answered Jack, reck-
lessly, 'sfor 1 istenedl / know that s
mean, too, but don't care. And she
made ma believe Chris was sick with a
cold and couldn't come down, when all
the ticle she was working on an old
white gown of Val S, and now she's cry
ing"
And Jack breaks down again.
For few moments Mr.. Falconer
looks deeply thoughtful, then takes a
sudden resolution, and makes a con-
fdant of Jack
The lawn party passes off pleasantly,
and Valerie prOnounees it a success.
From some distant shrubbery, Jack
alternately glares at her, smiles on
Keith Falconer, and then executes s.
war-dance for his own private delecta-
ton.
OF course Miss Valerie knows nothing
of all this, and Mr.. FalcOner is so aTnia-
bly, polite, and seems so sublimely
Indifferent to the fact of Chris absence,
that this ambitious maiden confessed to
herself that night, in the solitude of her
own chamber, that she must have been
a little precipitate in supposing he
Z
But after al twas just as well to
be on the safe side; men do take queer
fancies sometimes! OF course any
such affair is safely nipped in the bud
now! !"
And this self-satisfied ssnipper -
crept smilingly to bed, where she slept
the sleep of the just all night
The next morning after all the family
except Chris and Uncle Richards had
assembled in the breakfast-room, Fall
coner let fly the bomb-shell straight
into the enemy's camp
Jack, will you be kind enough to
ask Miss Christabel to step into the
breakfast-roOm for few moments
shall be obliged to return to the city to-
day. 'on the next train if possible, and
| should like to speak with her before
a 60 #W
In the consternation.f and surprise
elected by the information fhat he was
to leave so soon, the Oddity of his re-
quest passed unnoticed. All were clam
OrOus for him to remain, but. during
jacks absence, he contrived to impress.
upon them the fact that urgent business,
whose nature he could more fully ex-
plain in a short time, required his inn
mediate presence.
The numerous regrets were interrupt
ed by the entrance of Chris, whose pale
face, dull, dropping eyes, and weary,
listless step, formed a strong contrast to
Jack, coming in behind her with an ex-
uberant appearance suggestive ofswalk-
ing on air.
Mr.. Falconer turned to her instant
ly, leaving Valerie in the midst OF a
very pretty, pleading request that he
remain.
Miss Christabel, pardon me if what
have to say seems abrupt or prema-
ture to you, but, indeed, 1 feel that I
may have already waited too long! I
believe the strongest feeling of my life
to be my love for you, and l cannot
leave without asking you to accompany
me as my wife. WillyOu goP''
The brown eyes, dropping before,
were wide-open enough now. at this
strange wooing, with a pleading, half
bewildered look, scanning the faces of
the little group assembled in the room.
Aunt Richards and Cousin Guy ex-
pressed genuine surprise; Jack, beam
ing with delight, was clapping his hands
softly; and Valerie-One glance at her
half-averted face, and the contemptu-
Gus, scornful curve of her lip, was suffi-
cient. With a sudden graceful accession
of dignity, Chris held out one mite of
hand.
Il viii CO." she said, quietly.
God bless you, my darlingr'
And Keith Falconer drew the tremb-
ling little figure close to his own broad
breast, and gently stroked the rough
curls.
In his great happiness not much room
was left for unkind thoughts or harsh
words, but he couldn't resist the temp
tation of a parting shot.
Your uncle gave his consent this
morning, and though, in Miss Valerie
estimation, this may not prove a better
chance, God willing, you shall never re-
greet the change. "-BaLIOtt's Magazine.