Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-04-16

about corrections after the articles
were in type; he wanted this, that
and the other changed. She never
| does"
| 9Mr. Niven called again through
the telephone to Miss Lisle that af-
ternoon. She could not be old; her
voice was as soft as child's though
strong enough to be heard distinctly.
1t was the same thing next day, and
the next. No one copy of the mag
azine ever reqnired so much discus
sion before. At last, too impatient
to wait longer Mr.. Nivcn put on his
hat and went out ostensibly to make
| Mr.. Adams a business call. That
| gentleman was out; in truth, Mr..
| NKen knew he would be absent at
| thfss hour, and for that reason he
had a strong anxiety to meet Miss
Lisle, and converse with her face to
face. He met graceful, womanly
| young girl, dressed in deep mourn
ing. He did not like mourning
usually, but to Miss Lisle it was es-
pecially becoming, fitting her slender
well-formed figure to perfection. She
had deep violet eyes, firm but win
ming mouth, and pale face framed
in bronze-b brown hair. All this Mr..
Niven saw at a glance, and it made
a very attractive whole. Yes, he
thoroughly approved of her appear
ance, and that was saying much for
him.
For few moments he conversed
with her, thinking he possessed a
decided advantage over her, for she
could not possibly guess who he
might be: and then he made himself
known by saying he felt himself ac-
quainted with Miss Lisle, since they
had had so many pleasant chats to-
gether through the telephone.
II knew it from the first" she
SAID, smiling; II recognized your
voice.
''How stupid | was to suppose for
moment you would not knowl" he
exclaimed. trife veXed with him.
self, yet pleased with her honest
avowal
Very gradually he drew her on to
speak of herself, introducing the
subject by speaking of her father.
A listener would have supposed him
her fathers bosom friend, when in
truth they were only business ac-
quaintances. Not that Mr.. Niven
told an untruth, but the warm man.
ner in which he recited few facts
gave them quite glowing color. 1t
gave him a thrill of pleasure to find
she was alone, and he confided to
her that he was quite as lonely. Did
she reside in her old home? he asked !;
but he refrained from mentioning
that he never knew where the old
| home was. No, she was boarding !;
she conld not afford to keep a home
now He half thought she might
invite him to call upon her; but she
did not. After all, he was glad she
was too sensible aud reserved to do
so. He watched her face closely,
thinking it was more expression than
feature which rendered her charming.
She had staid. honest look, and
pervading all she did and said. At
| length, when he could remain no
longer, he rose, saying he would
come in again to see Mr.. Adams,
and left the office, wondering how he
could manage to call upon her often,
and not appear prcsuming. If no
other way presented itself, he was
determined to write her, and say it
was his desire to make her his wife,
if he could win her affections. If
she cared for him at all, it would not
frighten her to see his proposal in
black and white; but if she did not,
it would doubtless put an end to the
matter. No, he dared not do that
as yet he must be patient little
longer.
Two or three evenings later, wher
she reached home, she found bou.
quet of flowers in her room. There
was no name upon the accompanying
card, only the words, "By telephone. >
She knew the writing, and she was
fond of flowers. She was very lone
ly, too; the more so because ever
since she was out of school she hao
been too busy with her writings te
keep up the girlish friendships she
had formed, and she had no time te
renew them now. 1t was pleasant
to feel some one in this world careC
for her, even in slight degree.
Not long after, Mr.. Niven callee
. again at the office. Mr.. Adams was
in and introduced him to Joanna
She blushed rosily, and only gave
him few words; she seemed busil,
, writing at her desk in the corner
Next day when he Summoned som'
one to the telephone. Mr.. Adams
was there to answer, SO he began t.
inquire about the paper for the mex
magazine; an unnecessary query. a
| the copy was not in. Mr.. Adam
' answered shortly that he would at
, tend to it as usual, and the convel
: sation was discontinued. Mr.. Nive
sat down and thought. Mr.. Adam
l was widower too. What if