The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-06-09

Suai cOnultlOn ne would make conf
dent of her and ask her advice and as
sistance. He would try to talk to her
as if she were man; it might be a rash
experiment, but he felt equal to almost
any degree of rashness when he thought
of how many times before he had re-
solved and failed $50 4
So the Major went to the Wallerson
home on the evening appointed by mis-
chievous Miss Nell, with stouter heart
than he had felt, outside of business
hours, since the war ended. He ar
ranged with the young lady to bring all
his male friends into the surprise party,
and she. rather confused by her new
view Of the Majors character, was most
ELUSIVE in thanks, and being only TWEEN
| ty-three years of age, and being no old
or than her years signified, was COM
pletely astounded by the Majors cool
ness. She could not help betraying her
curiosity; she looked at the Major in
quiringly, she dropped into reveries and
she said to her mother, who came to the
door of the parlor q moment shout
SOME affair strictly of a family nature,
that Dir. Clinton was entirely different
from what she had imaginedhim to be.
| But the Major did not know this, and
after the business of the evening ended
he began to feel the old familiar cold
sweat that had been his torment in the
swamps OF the Chicahominey fifteen
years before. Conversation had dropped
to the dead level of the National Acad-
envy, the last new novel and Browns
last volume of poems, all of which were
very bad Miss Nell looked interested,
pretty and sentimental until the Major
half wished she would be her natural
self, for he had at last reused himself to
the combative state, and he wanted to
| talk with her in the most serious man
| fer about her sister. At last he made
desperate effort and said: t
! miss Wallerson, called this even-
ing only on business, but have for a
long time wanted to say something to
| you about a matter"
jor," interrupted Miss Nell, ..the gas is
kissing dreadfully. Won'tyou be good
enough to see which burner il is; fTm
too short to reach any of them, I'm
sorry to say y fftf1 ~ Ath e
The Major FASTENED to the rescue.
He heard kissing noise, as of the es-
cape of too much gas he could not be
sure which of the six burners was at
fault, SO he turned down one after an
other until the noise stopped and the
parlor was almost dark, u ~ r4vy
"You are very kind, = murmured Miss
Nell, as the Major resumed his seat
near her /; the blowing of gas is dread
fully annoying to the ear. BY the way,
| you were saving that 4AN~
The Major resisted temptation to
say, 20 nothing of any consequence,
and said: Il have been long the most
reverent adorer of a certain young lady
20, Major!'' exclaimed Miss Nell;
1.-the idea of you being in love. Did
| YOU" Fl
Excuse me, Miss Wallerson," said
the Major, hastily, ''but no.one is com
petent to pass an opinion on my con-
dition of mind but myself / fully
know my own feelings, and merely wish
an opportunity to explain them in such
manner as may be most respectful. :"
Il beg your pardon, Major said
Miss Nell, now entirely on her guard.
please continue, and believe no one
here can doubt your sincerity" ~
The Majors heart gave mighty
bound; evidently this mischievous girl
suspected something and was willing to
suppress herself.
81 have long been worshiping alady
whom would have been glad to make
my wife, continued the Major, ..if |
had not feared that my love and what
else had to offer her would not seem
compensation for what she would be
obliged to give up yna
| s.sYour thoughtfulness does YOU honor,
Major, = said Miss Nell, in the kindest
way in the world
THANK you-thank you" said the
Major, hastily. Perhaps, then, you
will understand why l speak with more
than my customary freedom. Miss WALL
erson, was trained in my youthful
days to such unquestioning reverence
for woman as woman that feel almost
like thief when think Of asking any
woman for her hand and heart.
| Again, Major, must say that your
thoughtfulness and delicacy do you
honor, Z said Miss Nell, as demurely as
if she had never teazed any onein her life.
| Thank you-thank you," said the
Major again. Il would, like first to ex-
plain. myself, if I may trouble you for a
moment. am, believe, an honorable
man. l have. a good business and a
good bank account. want to devote
both, and my life beside, to the service
of the sweetest woman that ever lived.
cannot expect her to love me as love
her, for she is an angel, and l am only
WE'LL only man. al
! IA true man." said Miss Nell, still
as demure as a parson, ..sissas good as
anything else in the world -even as good
| as a true wo man."
Ges,.Do you really think, SOP" asked the
Major. II must believe you against my
will, but entirely according to my in
clination. Well, fhe woman whom. I
love you know very well; no one can
know her better; she is pure, good,
sweet, noble, SENDER
''Major-Major,n exclaimed Miss
Nell.
"Please don't contradict me on this
particular point" said the Major; Il
really think know--I am sure do
Them said Miss Nell, sit would be
very impolite in me to contradict, but
Really" said the Major" am
weighing my words most carefully and
mean all say. ] want to offer her all
am and have, under any conditions.
she. may impose. Don't imagine me-
impulsive or rash in this natter con-
tinued the Major, extending both his
| hands IN his ~ vuo.fpacy. & ,,,aar