The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-03-09

pen: ne Will Tell Ine noW ucSptIdUcly ut
loves me, how he does not care for any
thing in the world but me-and SO on.
Then shall look pityingly at him. make
a most formal bow, and say: Really,
Mr. Calthorpe, you take me by surprise.
regret that l must decline to accept
an honor SO unexpected aud so unmer-
ited.' Then he will plead. Reg me to
give him some hope (lovers always dc
that, believe), and shall become cold
and naughty, repeating my refusal
firmly.
Then he will go away crestfallen.
and l."
The Colonel entered his daughter
room, and his humorous smile indicated
that he had something amusing to com.
municate. Her back was toward him,
her elbows resting on the writing-table.
and her face on her hands. She did
not observe his entrance.
Il am sorry to disturb you. Mabel,
but l come as an ambassador. My mis-.
sion is one of the gravest importance.
and Why. what has happened Are
you ill?"
She had risen hastily at the sound oil
his voice, and he saw that she had been
crying.
Yes, papa, / am i'll. but it is nothing
to be alarmed about" she answered
agitatedly, as she closed her writing
case Then she wiped her eyes hastily
and tried to smile. There, am better
now. You must not look so serious,
for it was only a silly fancy of mine.
which you would laugh at, if l were to
tell what it was"
''Iwould not laugh at anything which
could affect you so much as this appears
to have DONE" he said. grayely.
but this is so foolish, am ashamed
of it."
"Then we need not speak of it until
you can laugh at it, not cry. Perhaps
the important matter which | have to
lay before you may give your thoughts
a pleasanter turn. You had better sit
down and prepare yourself for the awful
news. Now. are you ready?"
"Oh. quite"
His tenderness, his pleasant humor.
soothed and comforted her. and she was
able to smile at the mock sOlemnity
with VIII oh he invested his subject.
swell, then. have letter here from
Sir Frederick Powell, and although you
might not think so from my manner,
the contents are of serious nature.
Can you guess what they are?''
81 have not the least idea"
The Colonel seated himself on the
couch beside her, and The humorous
expression passed from his face as he
gazed earnestly into her eyes.
He has reminded me, Mabel, ofwhat
l was willing to forget, that some day
you will be going away from me. 1have
been forced to think of it sometimes,
and do not like it.
''Why should l 60 away from you.
papag"
You will marry, no doubt" he con-
timed, softly; '.you will have new ties,
new interests in life, and your father
will take his place in the back ground
of your thought and care. 1t is natural.
and most fathers find pleasure in seeing
their children we'll settled in life But
it is great change under any circum-
stances, and you know tina l have not
had time to accnstom myself to the
prospect of it. You are still very
young child in nv eyes"
But it need not be-" she said, lay
ing her head upon his shoulder. and
putting her arm affect:onately round
his neck.
.'Not Immediately, l hope; but we
need not shut our eyes to the probable
itv of its coming some day. Meanwhile
l have to decide what my answer is to
be to Sir Frederick, for he has asked
me, with an. old-fashioned formality
which l like, to give him leave to
pay his addresses to you. What shall l
sayp
She started: there was a frightened
lock in her eyes, and she seemed to
shiver. The Colonel was amazed.
..Tell him that he must not think of
it." she cried, excitedlv. Tell him
that he must never speak to me if he
thinks OF it; that / never can-that l
never will-marrv ANYBODY"
She hid her face on herfather's breast
ana sobbed.
He remained silent for little while,
his hand smoothing her hair. his brain
occupied with wondering and
confused speculations. Then she be-
came quiet. and he s1oke in the low sad
voice of one who has been suddenly
made aware of great loss which he
has secretly feared. and yet had hoped
to a ert.
Il ought to have been prepared for
this. Mabel. l ought to have been
ready to learn that some one had found
a way TO Your heart without asking my
leave TO pass. Well, in good time you
will let me know who it is that is to take
you away from me-"
"No one sha take ME away from
YOU" was the passionate cry. Il shall
never marry"
"You need not make rash vows, my
child" he said, patting her on the
head, kindly smile overspreading but
not obscuring the fathers inevitable re-
greet. IF YOU do not marry, l shall he
selfishly glad; and if You do. shall try
to be unselfishly happy in seeing you
happy. And shall be, il the man hap
pens to be to my liking. There. now.
We are going to have done with this
subject | know what answer to give
Sir Frederick. You must take rest,
for we shall probably have both the Cal
thorpes with us this evening. But if
voG are not well enough you need not
Join u.s."
She was alone again: she sat with her
eyes wide open. but like one in sleep, so
dull and expressionless was her face.
CHAPTER TX.
OLD Folks PROPOSE.
"You are not in such good spirits as
expected to find YOU tonight, Cuth-
BERT said MIR. Calthorpe, passing the
wine. Il thought that with the quiet
settlement of this disagreeable bust
ness you would have reioiced in the
feeling of freedom from all anxiety as to