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

and he had dismissed her in his an
ger, or made it so unpleasant she
was obliged to go away.
s'Will you please tell me-" he
asked, unsteadily, 'swhy you leave
so abruptly?''
Il have an uncle" she replied,
s'aged and alone, who is i'll. He has
begged me to come and care for him
during the remainder of his days.
"Is your uncle rich, or dear to
you?''
"Neither."
s'You 60 from sense of duty,
then?'
eyes, and because I can no longer
remain here.''
''Do you leave soon?''
II have decided to leave on the
evening train.''
care you alone?''
eyes"
"When will Adams be in?''
'.In an hour"
"Will you bid me goodbye before
he comes? I am interrupted, and I
want to speak with you again.
''Certainly; call me when you are
disengaged."
He sat down to think Should he
wait and try and see her before she
went away? Should he go right over
to her sanctum, and tell her how dear
she was to him? Some one might
drop in, or Adams might return. He
hlushed like a bashful school-boy.
though he was quite alone. He rose
to call Miss Lisle, and then he hest
tated, wondering how he would word
his address. One thing was certain,
he could never let her go. He was
widower of two years standing, he
had no children, and he was in COM
Portable circumstances. But how
could he shout all this at her Just
now? Evans came in for a word of
counsel. but he soon sent him away,
and then the telephone bell tlnkled
in his ear. He rose and closed the
office door before he touched the
knob to the answering bell.
"Mr. Niven % came softly to his
ear.
ayes, Miss Lisle, I'm here"
''Fm going now. You have been
extremely kind to me; / leave my
best wishes with you. Good-by p
''Miss Lisle!" desperately. pray
you think twice before you CO.
''Ah, have already thought three
times, but I fear it is my duty to go" :"
sadly.
''Then you do not desire it?''
''Indeed, no! / would far rather
remain, if it were possible.
''Miss Lisle, | love you. Stay and
be my WIFE"
There was long pause. The
man listened attentively, but no re-
| ply came.
''I'm waiting anxiously," he said.
"Please answer me-
II dare not!'' in a frightened
voice.
ssDo not be afraid,'' he called
back, encouragingly, and feeling
more hopeful. "You care for me a
very little, don't you?'
"Yes,' softly, after pause.
''And you know me by reputa-
tion?''
"Ah, yes, / do not fear as to that. F"
'Then trust me, and say yes. /
promise to be loving and true to you.
Can | say more? | care for few peo-
pie in this world, and when I say I
love you, / mean it for all time. Take
courage and say yes, like dear girl,
and then wait until / come"
There was a slight pause, and then
the answer came very soft and low
"Yes."
"God bless you, my dear!'' he
said. ssIn a moment / will be with
you
s.Adams can be in his office and
welcome" thought Mr.. Niven, on
his way over. ''Of course, I'd a
little rather find her alone, bless her
but he will not be much in my way
hereafter. I'm glad it's over. Sup
pose had been such fool as to LET
the opportunity pass 1t would have
clouded my lifetime, for once out OF
the city it would have been hard tC
find her"
Mr.. Adams was not in, and Joan
ma was far less possessed than usual
though Mr.. Niven thought her more
charming in her pretty confusion thar
ever. If he had found her cool an6
collected, he would doubtless have
been very much embarrassed himself
as it was. he felt bold as lion.
ssAnd now about this uncle,' ht
said, after convincing her that sh'
had not been forward or immodes
to answer marriage proposal by tel
, ephone, that it was all right, anc
everything as jolly as possible. II
you really wish to go to see this re
t lation of yours, you shall, of course
{ But if it is not necessary
ST hardly think it necessary, sine
: am not to remain with him. II
probably wished me to come becaus
f he is too miserly to employ nurse
: Still, do not like to think he is alon
, and uncared for; because though