The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-09-05
her buoyant lightness of manner van

1.-THE girl you love, RegieP didn't
know that YOU loved anyone yet
don't want You to go and fall in love
with some stranger-it would break
my heart"
And tears overflowed the blne eyes
which had. but the moment before,
been so bright and merry.
Reginald flushed. Then he turned
and looked at Grace with an expression
In his eyes that would have told her
towards him.
But she stood with her head turned
away, so that he could only see the
delicate contour of her pretty profile
and the grieved culver OF her lips.
Grace" he said softly, but with a
tremor in his voice which told of some
deep underlying agitation. 'look at
me-"
Grace shivered, but she obeyed. The
thought which had been presented to
her mind had made her openin5 spring
time of life seem all of sudden
changed and cold Us though its winter
had come.
She raised her eyes to Reginald's
face and for an instant they looked
straight ut each other.
Then Reginald put his arms about
her and drew her TO him and kissed
her.
''YOu are to be my wife, Gracie-
that is. il you will consent to marry
me. Did you think / could ever love
anyone elseP thought you knew me
better. Naughty little girl; you were
jealous. But it is such an encourage
ing sign that if you will confess it
freely. III forgive YOU"
WAS it jealousy?" asked Grace,
smiling through her tears. 81 only
know that l felt as though my heart
had turned, all at once, into something
that hurt me. But what will Ronald
say? We must 90 in"
1t was with new and strange feel
ing of coyncss that Grace said this.
Previously Reggie had been to her like
a brother. Now, he was so much dear
or, and yet she had lost all feeling of
case with him. Then, too. this rush
of emotion which filled her heart was
distressing as we'll as delightful.
In that one moment when Reginald's
kisses had burned upon her lips she
had changed from a careless happy
hearted girl into a deep-thinking, low
ing woman. But she must have time
to become accustomed to regarding
Reggie in the light of lover. Thus it
was that she became restless in his So
ciety and would fain have fowl way
from him into solitude, where she could
commune with her own heart
Although Reginald comprehended
but dimly the state of her mind, he
followed her obediently into the house,
where Ronald was waiting to mOnopo-
lie him, and resigned himself pa
tiently to the task of coaching the
ardent student.
After seeing him safely beside her
brother. Grace disappeared, and did
not become visible again until tea
time. and then she was so unusually
quiet that Blanche looked at her sew
eral times with constantly increasing
anxiety. which eliminated ut last in
threatening to send for the doctor.
Reginald was about to speak. but an
entreating look from Grace checked
him, and later on she whispered to
him. rs she went with him to the gate:
keep what has passed a secret,
Reggie, until you know the contents of
that dreadful letter. would Eever
consent to stand in the way Of your
future prospects. =. =
"And, to win or not to win you. my
darling, will either be the making or
the marring of my life"
1--WE are so young. Reggie. People
will talk harshly of me if they hear of
projected marriage between us.
Promise to keep it secret for a
while"
81 will promise anything to please
you. Grace. But remember one thing
u will never give you up"
Grace. look at thisr'
There was an excited cadence in
Blanche's voice. which caused Grace to
open her eyes supposedly.
Blanche pointed to Il notice in the
newspaper she had been reading. 1t
ran thus:
"WAN1ED.-The children of one Janet
Grnhane, who came to this country some
twenty five years ago, ana married an
To the writer of this advertisement. II they
will GO mnun.catc with Messrs. Dill and
Wnr,i, No. -, Nassau street. they will hear of
something to q err advantage"
That was our mothers maiden
name, Oracle. DO you suppose she is
tho one meant in the notice?"
Would anyone else be likely to
have just that name?"
al think not. AT any rate, shall
sit down ut once and write to that ad-
dress. 1t can't DO any HARM"
Hadn't you better ask Ronald to do
itP"
"No, Grace. think it will be best
not to take anyone into our confidence.
Then. If we are doing silly thing.
there will be no one to laugh at US.
Wait until the answer comes before We
say q word about it to Ronald"
Grace acquiesced, as she usually did
to what sedate Blanche proposed.
Her own lack of confidence in her
sister about her love affair caused her
to be even more plant to Branches
advice than was her custom.
The answer came in due time, say
ing that the heirs of another Janet
Grahame had also replied, but that
whichever party should have convinc-
ing proof as to being the children OF
the Janet Grahame mentioned, would
have the sole right to a large property
in both lands and money. The note
concluded by requesting the party ad-
dressed to inform him by return mail
what family of Grahame she belonged
to, English or Scotch, and whether she
had any proofs.
Much to Blanche's delight she
could answer the last question in the
affirmative, and also could refer to
huge Bible her mother had brought
with her from England.
She made a copy of the former and
enclosed it in her letter of reply.
Then she awaited further develop
ments in a state of restless anxiety,
which would have attracted ROnald's
attention. had he not been SO engrossed
In his studies.
But she was we'll repaid for her
trouble when she learned that the re-
suit of her correspondence was 10 de-
clare that her mother was the Janet
Grahame to whose heirs had lapsed an
inheritance which would make them
independently wealthy.
1t was joyful news to the trio, and
Ronald was eager to have 1t at once
communicated to their cousin Reggie.
But to his surprise, and also to that
of Blanche, Grace requested that 1t
should be kept secret until after
Reginald should attain his majority.
Alter considerable opposition Grace
carried her point although it was
much to Ronald's vexation Of spirit
What will Reggie think of itP' he
asked indignantly. "He'n think me
mean cad to keep 1t from him for an
hour"
Il will make 1t right with him."
N m uta,ad Graoa