Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-12-08
AS his thoughts of Mary had multi

plleu blIlCe tflaJ ulSCubSlOu Vi tllelTs,
they had decreased in leniency. He
wished her to say, "forgive me" now
Instead of that-there she stood; If in
clined to penitence, her appearance did
not betray the fact. An amused smile
expressed that in her opinion he was
conducting himself after a very silly
fashion.
"Mary," he presently said, "your ia
ther remarked some time since that he
desired to see me upon business. Is he
at home to-day?"
"Oh," she exclaimed, "why did you
not tell me at once that you wished tc
see papa? I will 60 and find him."
James stepped forward with words
upon his lips to detain her. She appar'
emily realized some necessity for haste
and hurried through the doorway and
hall.
A servant presently informed him that
Mr. Halstead was not then at home, but
was expected back before night.
"Where is Miss Mary?"
al think she has gone up stairs
The girl left as Miss Halstead's ad-
vancing footsteps were heard. He was
conscious of having felt uneasy when
she hurried away. So simple thing as
the conveyance of her information by
another person instead of herself fur
ried him a little. She had evidently
been glad of an excuse for leaving his
presence, and was not intending 10 re-
turn. His conscience was assisting
these conclusions of his. 1t was not
her intention to endure any signs OF in
dignation. After all he had no real
cause for anger against her.
Now when he came that morning he
had found Mary tending some rose
bushes, and wearing sunbonnet. On
its removal, her dark hair had appeared
slightly rumpled. Owing to his per
turbed state of mind, however, this had
escaped the gentleman's observation
nor did he notice perceptible altera-
ton now, as she re-entered the room.
His face wore a look Of relief as he laced
her.
81 thought you were not coming
back"
"What must have been your opinion
of me to think that? II would have
been pretty behavior truly, to go of
and leave a guest awaiting me-rather
awaiting some one." Her tone was
friendly enough. "Did Melanie tell
you that papa and mamma are visiting ?'
"Oh, yes; met them"
He just recollected having received a
good morning from them on his way to
the farm. He realized too, forcibly,
that he was in a dilemma. Something
that we very much dread generally de-
velops to be not 80 bad after all.
"Why did you ask ?'-with a puzzled
glance at him. Then she laughed n
merry laugh that had something sooth-
ing in it. "Oh, you poor man! You
are always in trouble"
Her merrimcnt lessened the difficulty.
He began to explain.
"When / enquired il Mr.. Halstead
was at home, forgot that l had seen
him on my way here"
"But," said she, to whom both situ-
ations were explained, to her enjoyment,
"you did not come here to see him after
meeting him? Observation-Disclosures is
not in your family, is it?"
Mary was not generally given TO mis-
chief Her manner troubled the young
man.
"Mary, can you not afford 20 be gem
erous? You know that am at your
mercy"
81 will not tease you any more"
"Then you will be good, and promise
not to-"
She cast pretty upward glance at
him and answered.
"Do you know that Mr.. Hawthorne,
about whom you have been troubling
me so, has gone away?"
"That is no consolation-can he not
come back? Mary, l want you to for
get what said to you that day, / was
jealous. accused you of flirting-you
you forgive me?"
He seemed very much in earnest, very
much perturbed.
al do not think you need feel remorse-
full do you not think"-she was laugh
ing in a tremulous fashion-"that my
words were as bitter as yours?"
Matters were becoming comfortably
adjusted. 1t occurred to James Win
throp that the old friendship would not
be sufficient for him-would not fill his
desire any longer. With the thought
come words to express it.
"Mary, your friendship is very dear
to me. l would not lose it were it not
to gain something dearer still. Dearest
will you be my wife ?"
She smiled TRANQUILITY, joyfully.
Praise was in their hearts to the Giver
of all. Mary and her friend understood
each other finally.