Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-12-18

under the spout, and at your elbow"
He helped himself sileutly.
The hour she stayed put him in mis-
cry, and he was more glad than sorry
when she donned her wraps and started.
Fanny chartered necessarily for time,
but at last Parke spoke
''Fanny, you will let me say few
words"
1.-TWO or three dozen, if you like"
"But it Is something of the greatest
importance to me, and"
Goodness, Noah, don't frighten me !"
Cant you call me Parke, Fannyg''
Couldn't, possibly. Hurry! We are
almost home, and unless you want to tell
others that secret you must talk fast"
'sHow can I talk fast2" he asked dis
consolately Who ever heard of girl
hur-ying proposal sol Fanny, love
you, and want you for my wife"
Dead silence, broken only by hurried
breaths from Parke; then Fanny's red
mouth curved scornfully.
Didn't we agree three years ago, never
to believe such nonsense2 It's all trash. .
'FIighty, you belong to me, " he cried,
thoroughly aroused by the saucy defiance
on the small face. "Did you not promise
me that on Christmas Eve, three years
agoG'
She laughed scornfully.
did you believe that story of our en-
gagement-that little joke Of ours? Fie,
Parkel If 1 did not think you had bet
ter sensel''
Where had he heard those words be-
fore? But Fanny had mounted the
steps, pulling him after her.
"Will you ring the bella Do you
want to come in tonight, doctor?"
mot tonight, thank you. All, the
door is opened. Goodnight, Fanny. I"
''He held out bis hand, drawn hastily
from its warm glove, and she put her
HuSCAs Ii II.
"Good night yourself. Noah. And
please forget about that old joke"
He raised his cap, and she entered the
hall and was lost to view.
Fanny saw neither the doctor nor his
mother until the day before Christmas,
when note came from Amt Evelyn,
stating that Parke was called away, and
would probably not be home until the
next morning, and she begged Fanny 70
spend the night with her.
She went around in the afternoon, and
had cheerful talk with Aunt Evelyn
before tea and game of chess after !;
then Aunt Evelyn grew tired. Fanny
accompanied her to her room, did all
she could to make her comfortable.
promised to go directly to her own
chamber, and then went back to the
parlor, where the pretty grate-fre tempt
ed her to kneel before it. Soon hud-
died bunch of mouse colored cashmere
was lying on the bright rug, the rcd
ribbons becoming dangerously loose. the
small hands thrown over The curly dark
head, while Fanny thought.
II am sorry, DEAR" Aunt Evelyn had
said that evening. 'T wanted you
SO much for my daughter. And then
Parke's heart is almost broken But OF
course l know you are not to blame for
not loving him"
''Parke's heart is almost brokenl" A
hard thing, Fanny knew; she thought
her own would break when Martie died
but surely ne would ask her again
But if he did not Fanny's heart throbbed,
and to drive such ideas away she began
to recite the multiplication table.
''Half-past eleven, " said DR. Ingraham,
as he stood under the chandelier in the
hall and put his latch-key in his pocket
Much earlier than hoped to be at
home"
Then, without removing his cloak, his
cap still in his hand, he went into the
parlor; the lights were very low, but the
fire burned cheerfully, playing on huge
mouse, it seemed, in front OF it. Parke
recognized the mouse at a glance
Fanny's dark hair, escaped from its
crimson ribbon, was lying on her shoul-
ders in pretty confusion while she slept.
He knelt beside her, lifted her head to
his knee, and sat there patiently ten
minutes longer, until she awoke.
''Parkem She laughed, sat up straight,
and rubbed her eyes. rs it merry
Christmas yetl"
'Not quite" he answered, holding out
his watch. II ought to scold you fol
going to sleep here, but it is too near
Christmas for that. What do you hope
Santa Claus brings your
'A diamond ring, " very promptly.
Parke fumbled in his vest pocket, and
produced tiny package.
1 NsFlighty," he said gently, twill yor
take this2 I bought it in hopes that you
would take the giver with the ring; but
that cannot be, SO wish you would take
it-from your cousin"
Fanny looked at him, at the box, al
the fire, then at him again, and burst
into tears.
"Why, Flighty, don't, oh, don'tl be
cried. "Tell me what ails you, or-or
shall give you something very bitter fol
your nerves."
+" No, you won't, NoahI she sobbed.
g You are too mean for anything, Parke
don't want your ring"
well, well, you need not take it,
.~~AI.sx..1x