The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-05-19

of familiar friend and counsellor fl was as if he had asked, yet why not to some one else than himself And ey- eryrhing in the lane seemed f0 hush hiz forebodings. and say, with curious. all-pervading soothingness- !. why doubt 7
 Beyond the low hedges there were miles and miles of smiling, undulating English landscape, full of infinite, calm gentleness. How it happened. cannot say but as James Grafton walked so- berly through the lane, all hesitation fled away, and his face grew as restful as his heart had suddenly become. And was no; that kindly face, with it's strange and winning touch of purity. one which a good woman could hardly fail to love i The inevitable co-ple -thc haunt the lane passed him: he did not covet their hap piness. as he had often done !: he was too happy himself A turn of the road showed him the house where Eunice Bell lived large. old-fashioned house, dig- nifed. but homelike. From the lawn rose a stately cedar. Beside the dark cedar was a great tulip-tree. covered with pale blossoms. The voices of ehil- dren al play reached him from behind the old red wall of the garden. With them came-ah. what was that. Her voice. lanes Grafton felt his pulse quicken as he has,ened his steps toward the house. In fancy he saw her out there under the tree, the guardian of the little group of children. Propitious mo- ment. Now if he could but seize 1t {. And eagerly. as if for the first time in his life. he hurried on to meet his fate-his fate, that at that very moment was rushing, how surely, how swiftly. to meet him
 While James Grafton had been coming through the lane the object of his thoughts and affections, Eunice Bell, had been sit- ting, just as he had imagined. and as he had of,ea seen her. within the shadow oi the great trees. She was dressed for dinner. in a half-toilet of some dove colored, summer-like fabric. She was ten years younger than James Grafton, although for the last two years she had considered herself distinctly an old maid. Her hair was soft and fair. Her figure tall and slight-a little too slight per- haps. Her face was very placid. At the moment James Grafton had turned into the lane 1t was grave as well as placid. Presently twas it because sne knew by the striking of the church clock that he must be coming nearer?) a though, made her smile. She was thinking of James Graf ton then; telling herself she liked him. feeling that somehow or another the idea of being always an old maid was imper- ceptibly melting. "Is it only friendship just touched with sentiment. or does he really care for me-" The question pleased her, but she knew the answer per feetly well she knew he cared for her Then she sighed: her lips half ourled with scorn, but not scorn for him. No one except his sister-in-law) could regard James Grafton with anything but pro- found respect. Rest, truthfulness and love. An. I have sometimes thought them idle words; but to see the smile of this good man IS to know"
 She never finished the sentence.
 "Auntie! auntie! see, there's Mir. Grafton" little voice cried gleefully l; and Eunice Bell, raising her eyes. which had been fixed on the grass at her feet. saw James Grafton crossing the lawn, and the children all scampering toward him as fas, as their chubby legs could carry them. Eunice rose and followed them. laughing gently at the earnestness with which the little things rifled his pockets of those sweets which many-nephewed- and-nieced man is never without. If he knows ms duty and does 1t.
 So they, Eunice and James (after all. forty Is not so very great an ase)-they were both laughing when they met. It was pleasant, very pleasant-in fact. quite delightful but, somehow before tha, gentle domestic laughter. sentimen, fled abashed. They were ou, in the gar den one quarter of an hour-one bright. delicious. happy quarter of an hour. They sat side by side under the trees. while the evening sunbeams played upon the softly riutiering leaves. The children prattled about their knees. Their glances met with kind, familiar smiles. Eunice felt con,ented restfulness' in his pres ence, and he was conscious that il was SO It was to him a most golden. blissful quarter of an hour. Bl, of course he could not say what he wished before the children, and there was all the be eautiful long evening before them. and no need to hurry. Presently. after sunset he and sue WuutG SIOl Out tuefc, anu tuen- ne felt certain now. absolutely sure, that she would answer yes As absolutely sure as l am at this minute that had he asked her to be his wife during that happy quarter of an hour she would have ac- cepted him with the frankest smile of perfect trust. The gong sounded for dinner. They sauntered up to the house side by side, the children still playing about their path.
 "I always feel whenever come here that you have all attained to the ideal state of domestic peace and happiness '' said James Grafton, thoughtfully After the stormy scenes one is some times called upon to witness (he thought of yesterday and the sister-in-law) 4 the sweet calm atmosphere pervading the en- tire home-ife here is most soothing
 "We get on very well together" said Eunice, in her soft, placid voice.
 Your sister and her husband are. l think, the most admirable young couple l ever met. They never wrangie. By l the way, haven't asked how they were