Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-03-16

Il wish that / co Id be sure that / am
not doing wrong. see what will hap
pen: he will tell me how desperately he
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
n most formal bow. and say: Really.
Mr.. CalthOrpe, you take me by surpr Sc.
I regret that must decline to accept
an honor so unexpected and so unmer-
tied Then he will plead. reg me TO
give him some hope 0overs always do
that, believe), and i shall become cold
and naughty, repeating my refusal
firmly.
Then he will 90 away crestfallen.
and l."
The Colonel entered his daughters
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 come rs an ambassador. My mis-
sion is one of the gravest importance,
and Why. what has happenedS Are
you ill?'
She had risen hastily at the sound OF
his voice, and he saw that she hal 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 ewes hastily
and tried to smile. There, am better
now. You must not look so serious,
for it was only silly fancy of mine.
which you would laugh at, if / were 10
tell what it was. -
Il would not laugh at anything which
could affect you 50 much as this appears
TO have DONE" he said, gravely.
But this is so foolish, am ashamed
of IT,"
"Then we need not speak of it until
you can laugh ~ it, not cry. Perhaps
the important matter which / have to
lay before you may give your thoughts
n 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 ut the mock sOlemnity
with VIII ch he invested his subject.
"Well, then. have letter here from
Sir Frederick Powell, and although YOU
might not think SO from my m nner.
the contents are of serious nature.
Can YOU guess what they are?"
"l have not the least idea"
The Colonel seated himself on the
couch beside her. and he humorous
gazed earnestly into her eyes.
| Ill -, 81 49,
was willing to forget, that some day
you will lie going away from me. Ihavc
been forced to think Of it sometimes,
and i do not like it,"
why should l 60 away from you,
papa?'
You will marry. no doubt" he con.
tinued. softly; ''you will have new ties,
new interests in life, and your father
will take his place in the background
of your thought and care. 1t is natural.
and most fathers find pleasure i'm seeing
their children well settled in life But
il is great change under any circum-
stances. and YOU know tina have not
had time To accustom myself to the
prospect of it You are still a very
young child in my ewes"
But IL need not be-" she said. Law
ing her head upon his shoulder. and
putting her arm affect onately round
bis neck.
"Not Immediately. I hope; but we
need not shut our eyes to the PROBABLE
ity of its coming some day. Meanwhile
i have TO decide what my answer is to
be to Sir Frederick, for he has asked
me. with an old.fashioned formalitv
which i like. TO give him leave to
pay his addresses to you. What shall |
sayP'
She started; there was frightened
look in her eyes, and she seer ed to
SILVER 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 |
never will-marry ANYBODY"
She hid her face on her father's breast
and sobbed.
He remained silent for little while.
his hand smoothing her hair. his brain
actively occupied with wondering and
confused speculationS. Then she be-
came quiet, and he oke 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 ert.
Il ought to have been prepared for
this. Mabel l ought to have been
ready To learn that some one had found
n way TO your heart without asking INV
leave TO pass. Well, in good time YOU
will let me know who it is that is TO take
you away from me"
mo one shall take me away from
you. was the passionate cry. Il shall
never marry"
You need not make rash vows. nv
child" he said. patting her on the
head. kindly SIN lie overspreadinp but
not obScuring the fathers inevitable re-
greet. ''If YOU do not marry, / shall be
seliishly glad; and If on do. shall try
to be unseliishly happy in seeing YOU
happy. And i shall be. IL the man hap
pens to be to my liking. There. now.
we are going TO have done with tn :
subject | know what answer to give
Sir Frederick. You must take n rest.
for we shall probably have both the Cal
thorpes with us this evening. But il
You are not well enough YOU need not
Join us"
She was alone again; she sat with her
eyes wide open. but like one i'm sleep. 80
dull and expressionless was her face.
CHAPTER TX.
OLD FOLKS PROPOSE.
"You are not in such good spirits rs
/ expected to find on tonight. Cuth-
bert, said Mr.. Calthorpe. passing the
wine. Il thought that with the quiet
settlement of this disagrecable bust
ness you would have reioiced in the
feeling of freedom from all anxiety as TO
the past"
- Have been dull then?'' asked tine