Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-05-04

coming suddenly face to face with a
handsome young fellow in rather
shabby ulster.
"How are you, Jack WatkinsP"
"Oh! am all right, thank you,"
said Jack, sulkily, and strobe on with
out another word, while little Mr.,
Grey stood gazing after him with q
look Of comprehension on his face.
IL suppose she has been telling him
all about it," he said to himself with a
sigh. "lt's natural, suppose, but it's
selfish, too. Yes! 1t is little bit sell
fish of them" And, shaking his head,
the old gentleman knocked at the door
Of his house in tho High-street-that
large, gloomy house that had never
seemed homelike since the death OF
that sister who had been his right
hand.
When we think we are going to
make people happy, it is hard to find
that we are regarded as an enemy, and
Mr.. Grey retired TO rest in rather dis
NAL spirits.
He arose the next morning with the
| determination of putting an end to his
suspense by offering himself and his
home in the High-strcet to the object
of his attachment; he could bear the
suspense no longer
| When he arrived at the widows cot
tage that evening Bessie was not at
home. She had gone out to tea with
some friends, Mrs. Peploe said, but
failed to add that she had wilfully alb
sented herself because the sight OF Mr..
Grey was distasteful to her.
"fm glad she is not at home, dear
Mrs. Peploe." said Mr.. Grey. looking
very red and nervous. IL am glad she
is not at home, because it gives me an
opportunity of saying something that,
is very near my heart"
He edged little nearer to the Wild
ow as he spoke, and she smiled at him
in an encouraging way.
She was a handsome woman, and
her smile revealed the whitest teeth in
the world.
pray go on, Mr.. Grey" she said.
81 am all attention.
Mr.. Grey coughed, and looked ex-
cessively uncomfortable.
He wished that the widow would
avert her bright eyes from his face; her
steady gaze confused him, and he
scarcely knew what he was going to
say.
He hardly liked to risk popping the
question, for refusal would mean
Punishment from the cheerful fireside
where he had spent so many pleasant
hours.
But the widow was waiting for him
to speak, and he could not back out
now; he had gone too far.
Poor little man! His heart was beat
ing like sledge-hammer.
How still the room was. He started
as the ashes dropped upon the hearth.
This awful silence must be broken, or
what would the widow think of himP
He must say something.
"You must have known my object in
coming here so often,' he ,blurted out
at last.
"Well, think have guessed it,"
returned Mrs. Peploe, continuing the
stitches in the stocking she was knit
ting.
Il thought you would" observed
Mr.. Grey, considerably embarrassed
by her reply, but relieved at the same
time, for it saved him from the ordeal
of long explanation. well, since
you have guessed my secret, can you
give me hope?"
The widow was silent for few mo-
ments, and MIR. Grey gazed at her in
the deepest anxiety, his heart throbbing
with mingled Joy and fear.
The house in the High-street would
seem more lonely than ever, if he re-
turned to it disappointed man.
81 will be frank with you," she said
presently. LAS far as am concerned,
there is no possible objection to the
marriage; but Bessie is so young and
foolish that
'.Ah! yes! l thought she would
object said Mr. Grey. rubbing his
face with red silk pocket-handker-
. chief. "But don't you think you could
bring her roundp I'd be SO kind to
her, that I'm sure she'd get over her
dislike of the idea. Now, couldn't
you induce her to be more reasonable?'
81 have tried my best" said the
widow, with deep sigh. "But the
girl is wild and headstrong. l seem
to have lost all influence over her."
"Then, after all, there is no hope foI
me- said Mr.. Grey, looking terribly
crestfallen. II thought we would be
such happy family-we four"
I'VE four!' repeated Mrs. Peploe,
staring at him as if she thought he had
taken leave of his senses.
"Yes!-we four! Why not?" asked
Mr.. Grey. "Iknow Jack Watkins is
very fond of Bessie, and | fancied we
should all be happy together, if l could
only induce you to say yes
Then it is not Bessie you want
said the widow, dropping stitches in
her stocking, and blushing like girl,
as the truth flashed through her mind.
"Bessie!'' exclaimed Mr.. Grey. laugh,
ing heartily. "What would l want
with a child like that? Didn't you
know" here he grew suddenly grave,
"that it was you wanted. Janetp"
1--WE all thought it was Bessie. ~
stammered Mrs. Peploe. "Oh! what a
fool l have been!'
Don't say that" returned Mr..
Gray, in sad tone of voice. ut is
who have been a fool to think you could
ever care for me-.
The widow made no reply to this,
but gave him glance that spoke vol
umes. In another moment his arm
was around her waist, and he had stol.
en- a kiss.
"And you think that Bessie won't
object?" he said, anxiously.
II am sure she WON'T" returned
Mrs. Peploe, with twinge Of con-
science, as she thought of the way she
had received Bessie's confession OF love
for Jack Watkins.
II don't know so much about that, "
said a merry voice from the doorway,
and Mr.. GREY hastily drew his arm