Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-11-01

this lOVeIeSs marriage. Ills estates,
he told her. were too heavily mortgag
ed to admit OF his saving anything foi
her; and her cousin, who had a large
fortune, would restore the old place tc
more than its original splendor and
assure her future by making her its
mistress.
Encouraged by Molly's silence, Sir
John went on to tell how for years he
had dreamt Of this marriage, and to
enlarge on his joy and surprise at re-
ceiving a letter from the heir, asking
his permission to become sutton for
Molly's hand.
Il wrote at once, telling him to
come tomorrow, and pay us long
visit, said Sir John, complacehtly.
This announcement was too much
for Molly's cOmposure, and as we
have already seen, she dismayed her
father by passionately informing him
that she would never marry her
cousin.
The story finished, a silence sunk on
the two young people
| The warm rays of the setting sun
rested on Molly's bent head like a
golden halo. Ia her white dress, with
the passion all gone out of her mobile
face, and only a little pathetic look
which made her doubly pretty, she
might have been the original of one of
Raphael's exquisite Madonnas.
Jack Gray looked strangely trium-
plant as he gaze9 at her so eagerly;
he seemed to be drinking every detail
of the lovely picture The birds had
gone TO rest, and not even the rustling
Of a leaf broke the calm which had
fallen on the weary earth.
At last Jack spoke, going straight
TO the point in his usual abrupt fash
ion.
Molly, will you marry me"
For answer Molly simply slipped
her hand in his; but the rapturous eX-
preston that dawned on his face show
ed that he was more than satisfied.
Holding her hand IN ms firm grasp
Jack tried TO set clearly before her all
the disadvantages of marriage with
him He contrasted his poverty with
the luxury to which she was accustom-
ed, and touched on the struggle which
lay before the unknown artist, and
the many sacrifices which would be
required from his wife.
Molly waited patiently till he had
finished, and then, smiling straight
into his eyes, murmured. But, Jack,
/ love you, and love shall still be lord
Of all. "
Jacks first remark on recovering
from the semi-imbecile state INTO which
he was thrown by Molly's confession
was, What sell this will be for
your proud COUSIN Don't you picture
him hideous little red-haired man,
with a squlnt!"
''No, dear, replied Molly, calmly;
I am certain he is calm and gloomy,
just like my pet aversion, Doderick
Dhu, in the Lady of the Lake. ~
II am sorry you object to tall men,
said Jack, hullily; but will do my
best to oblige you by at once begin
ming to cultivate "A stoop.'
Jack, how can your" retorted
Molly. you know | would not have
you an inch shorter-nOt for mil
Jacks merry laugh echoed through
the glen as he busted himself in fit
ting his big signetring on to Molly's
little finger, where it waggled up and
down in a way that made Molly resign
herrelf to its speedy loss.
She did not hint at this fear to her
lover, fearing it would veX him; but
occupied herself by fastening her gold
locket on to his guard, informing him
with great solemnity that it was
troth-plight.
Molly's acquaintance with Jack
Gray dated only few weeks back
She had come upon him one day
sketching in the glen, and had glee
fully acceded to his request to be
allowed to introduce her into his pic
tme
Molly was charmed to have some
one young to talk to, and their friend
ship made far more rapid strides than
the picture which was the excuse for
their meetings.
Day after day they met, and spent
the long summer hours in happy idle
ness, careless of the fact that the little
god Eros watched over their inter
course. and had lodged one of his
tiny arrows in each of their hearts.
1t was late before the lovers parted,
both being conscious of a distinctly
aggrieyed feeling of old Time for hav-
ing raced on at double quick speed I'M
stead of standing still to watch their
Happiness.
Juliets sweet words about parting
being "sweet sorrow danced in Mol
ly's head, as after saying good-by to
Jack, she raced across the park to
the house.
The sight Of the big clock in the
hail pointing to 7:30 brought her
down with a diSSagreeable shock
from the fairy-land to the dull real
tiles of every day life as eNemph6ed
/ by dinner
Although in Molly's present exalted
/ frame OF mind, there was something
actually revolving in the idea of eat
ing anything more substantial than
.a u