The Bad Lands cow boy. [volume] (Little Missouri, Dakota [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-1886, 1884-05-08

he was still flirting with pretty Miss
Williams. AT length Elise enconnt tered
Mortimer Wilmot, on old friend Of her
father, forty five rich and fine looking.
At one time he had been supposed to-
have Partially for her. That even
ing he spoke Of the WEAKNESS Of the
life he was leading, and Eliza answered
mechanically. Neither Lawrence nor
his partner had reappeared in the
ball room. Once ;.s more Elise
|.askedto be taken to the library, as the
mir in the ball room was too oppressive.
There, in the same corner, were Law
renee and Miss Williams. Elise saw
the former draw the curtain to hide
them as she passed. 1t was like q
quick and sharp knife thrust through
her heart. VI
Mr.. Wilmot drew Elise away to q
sofa in a deserted part Of the ROOM. and !,
LATTER o few moments silence, u said !:
This is, perhaps, neither the time nor
the place, Miss Elise, to tell you I love
you and have; long wanted to make you
my wife. Do you think You could love
me well enough to marry me ~ si5gfs5
/ Without an instant's hesitation Elise
answered Yes. = ;Is ~
my dear girl" said Mr.. Wilmot,
Il am not young, and have very Little
romance in my characte ter. i can not
take your answer SO quickly given.
do not wish you to hazard your happi-
ness without ample sideration; take
o month to think Of my proposal and
then give me q reply n. Nj :5ss w ~
Elise looked quickly up IL 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, utterly con-
founded, when she was startled bysee-
ing Miss Williams approach her, saying;
y Elise, dear, I have something to tell
you Il. -93s3
Elise thought she had come to inform
her that Lawrence had offered himself
to her and triumph over her agony for
this girl knew of their former attach
ment to each other so she put on her
iveliest and kindest manner, and said !:
1Well, dear Helen, have you enjoyed
the ball r. I
Very much, indeed. Has Mr.. vii,
mot been amusing 2" IA
The startling avowal Mr.. Wilmot had
made had again passed out Of the girls
mind. At;the mention Of his name she
blushed scarlet. ri Il
aWhy," said Helen, laughing, .ones.
would suppose he had been making love
to you Elise, dear, don't look so CROSS
I have a message from a beloved friend.
VIII you come with ME and receive it ?'n'
YES" answered Elise, calmly.
Once again Elise was nducted to the
oriel window. The curtain was drawn,
Helen parted it q little way, and moved
as if to enter. Elise followed, she
stepped aside, closed the curtain, and
Withdrew. A pair Of manly arms re-
ceived Elise in warm embrace. g Dear
love, z said Lawrence, s.by thinking me
guilty Of preferring another, You have
made us both miserable. Believe me,
no one ever held place in my heart
but you !! You have already told me i
am dear to you. Let us have no more
:misnnd erstandings. Make me the hap.
pest man on earth by marrying me. =
Elise utters not Q word, but her man
nertold Lawrence plainly enough he
was accepted The next day in the
midst of her happiness Elise suddenly
Irememered3 the reply she had made to
MI, w ilnlotss proposal. She was wiring.
ing her hands and crying out what q
miserable girl abe was when q note was
handed her which read as follows u
Ms -:eur1pah
ments to Miss Elise Danforth. Having
heard 4 part Of d certain conversation
IN the or;el wind at Mrs Campbeli's,
he begs to Withdraw the inquiry he
made last night. He hopes to be allow
ed to tender his best wishes for Miss
Elise hap iness. 2 Philadelphia Call.