The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-09-25

manner was SO calm, SO dignified and
SO entirely manly, aud moreover there
was so much right on bis side, that he
could not do else than bow in humble
submission. There was a lengthy
conversation but that was its sum
and substance. Finally, something
that fell from Aliens lips caused the
old merchant to look up with
start.
All! Do you think of looking to
Lizzie Palmer her hand in marriage ?
The young man raised himself
proudly cree. as lie answered:
Yes sir. If she will have me, But.
sir.--the thought never occurred to
me--not a shadow of such possiI iiity.
until the event of the past evening.
. You have thought rapidly, it seems
to ME Nlinturn said, with Il spice of
IRONY liz look and tone.
Thoughts, Mr.. Minturn, are the
creatures Of a moment. But / must
tell YOU, have known that young
lady longer than you think. Ispent
two or three weeks in her society. at
the White Mountains. nine years ago,
shortly before her fathers death.
But little more was said, when
Charles Allen arose and took his hat.
He stood for moment, hat in hand.
and then rested finger upon his
friends shoulder
"Mr Minturn, az yet have spoken
no word to Miss Palmer of that of
which We have spoken; but shall 90
SO; and | shall look to you ia protect
her from suffering ON nv account.
You know what l mean. And, sir,
one word more. His voice sank to a
whisper. as he added:
eff you nave any business matters
to settle with Miss Palmer---matters
relating to the business of yourself and
her father,---you will find it very
much easier to settle with my wife,
than with any one else :"
And with this he left the counting
room,---left the old merchant looking
like a man who had been stricken a
heavy blow.
MIR. Micturn went to bis home that
evening sober and thoughtful. His
wife and daughter asked him what
was the matter. but he would not tell
them. Later. however, he let fall
this Notwithstanding had been
said about Lizzie Palmer, aud Irene
had spoken of her as one who lived
upon their charity:
Hush !" he said, raising his hand
warningly. "Over and above all
claims upon Lizzie Palmer for moneys
expended in her behalf, lam indebted
to her more than ten thousand dol
lars---money that would have been
her fathers, had be lived. Let me
hope that you will not make her I'm
comfortable. 1t would come hard
upon me should / be called upOu to
pay over to her that sum at the pres.
ent time.
This was on the evening of Thurs
day. On the evening of the next day
Mrs. Minturn and Irene were out on
a visiting expedition. Charles Allen
called, and asked to gee Miss Palmer.
She came to him in the drawing-room.
A great deal was said on that occa-
sion. Charles told over again the
story of those happy weeks ut the
White Mountains, and by and by he
took from bis bosom a faded rosebud
the bud which she had pinned into
the button-hole of his Goa. in the gar
demand he frankly confessed that
while she had been pinning it there the
feeling had come to him that the love
of the boy was being renewed il a
deeper and more significant love. And
shall we wonder that he drew a con.
fessiOn from her very nearly like unto
it?
Suffice it to say, at the end of an
hour her head was piliowed upon his
bosom, his strong arms holding her
fast, love confessed, and troth plight
ed. On the Sunday evening following
Mr.. Minturn came into the drawing |
room where his wife and daughter were
sitting. As he sank into his great
he said. his voice tinged |
with both bitterness and pain:
"Well, Irene, that ugly DISPOSE
ton of yours manifest in an unruly |
tongue, has frightened away another
lover. l have just gwen to Charles
Allen the hand of my ward-Lizzie
Palmer.
Irene shut her teeth and clenched
her hands. The blow was terrible, but |
she would not acknowledge it. The
name of Lizzie Palmer was upon her
lips, coupled with something very
much like q curse.
mo. no." said her mother. resOlute-