Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-04-24

lulOuHl lnt IUDlllS Nllu lllt ldtlN on
his arm. 1t suddenly occurred to
Elise that she had heard that Miss
Williams was rather disposed to like
Lawrence. There was something very
marked in the way she talked and
listened to him, and then she was so
very handsome! Oh, why did Law
renee prize beauty so much?
When they had disappeared, Elise,
this time leaning on the Judges arm
promenaded through the rooms. In
the library oriel window Lawrence
was sitting with Miss Williams beside
him. The twain were in clio c convcr-
sation. Elise grew very angry.
The Judge left her at an early hour
to 90 home. She had not seen her
brother the whole evening. Lawrence
also has disappeared, and Elise felt
sure he was still flirting with pretty
Miss Williams. At length Elise en-
countercd Mortimer Wilmot, an old
friend of her father, forty-livc, rich
and fine looking. At one time he had
been supposed to have partiality for
her That evening he spoke of the
WEAKNESS of the life he was leading,
and Elise answered mechanically.
Neither Lawrence nor his partner had
rcappcarcd in the ball room. Once
more Elise asked TO be taken to the
library, as the air in the ball room
was too oppressive. There. in the
same corner, were Lawrence and Miss
Willinn,g I'lig, Ia, Il
the curtain to hide them as she passed.
1t was like a quick and sharp knife
thrust through her heart
Mr.. Wilmot drew Elise away to Il
sofa in de crted part Of the room,
and, after few moments silence,
said; This is, perhaps. neither the
time nor the place, Miss Elise, to tell
you love you and have long wanted
to make you my wife Do you think
You could love me well enough to
marry me?"
Without an instants hesitation Elise
answered: Yes"
"My dear girl" said Mr.. Wilmot,
Il am not young, and have very little
romance in my character. ! cannot
take your answer so quickly given. |
do not wish You to hazard your happi-
ness without ample consideration; take
a month to think of my proposal and
then give me Il rcpl "
Elise looked quickly up; it was the
first time She realized what he had
been saying, and now he had left her.
Was she then engaged to this man?
Elise was sitting alone, ultcrly y con
founded, when She was startled by
seeing Miss Williams approach her,
saying: ELISE. dear, | have some
thing to tell you!'
Elise thought she had come to in
form her that Lawrence had offered
himself TO her and triumph over her
agony--for this girl knew Of their for
mcr attachment to each Othcr-so she
put on her Iivelicst and kindcst man
ncr, and said:
"Well, dear Helen, have you en-
ioycd the ball?"
very much, indeed, Has Mr. Will
mot been amusing?'
The startling ayowal Mr.. Wilmot
had made again passed out OF the girls
mind. At the mention of his name
she blushcd scarlet.
why said Helen, laughing, zone
would think he had been making love
to YOU Elise, dear. don't look so
cross. | have message from a be-
loved friend. viii YOU come with mo
and receive it?'
Yes, answered Elise, calmly.
Once again Elise was conducted to
the oricl window. The curtain was
drawn. Helen parted it a little way,
and moved as if to enter Elise fol
lowed, she stepped aside, closed the
curtain, and withdrew, \ pair of
manly arms received Elise in Il warm
embrace. dear love" said Law
renee, "by thinking me guilty OF pre-
fcrring another, You have made us
both miserable. Believe me, no one
ever held u place in my heart but you.
You have already told me am dear
to you. Let us have no more mis-
understandings. Make me the hap
picst man on earth by marrying me.
Elise uttered not word, but her
manner told Lawrence plainly enough
that he was accepted The next day
in the midst of her happiness Elise
suddenly remembered the reply she
had made to Mr.. Wilmot's proposal,
She was wringing her hands and cry
ing out what II miserable girl she was
when 4 note was handed her which
read as follows:
"Mr. Wilmot presents his compli-
mcnts to Miss Elise Danforth. Ilav-
ing unayoidably heard part of the
conversation in the oricl window of
Mrs, Campbell's, he bcgs to withdraw
the inquiry he made last night. He
hopes to be allowed to tender his best
wishes for Miss Elsic's happiness. -
Rose Allison, IN Phtladaiphia call.