, 1885-11-26
ON THANKSGIVING EVENING


A woman adds interest TO any scene. Tho
one moving rapidly up the hill in tho twilight
gave life and doliclcy to the bleak Novem-
her landscape. The man In the light car
riage some distance behind her thought 20
surely. He knew her very we'll dimly as
she was outlined in the shadows, and took
pleasure In watching her.
For awhile tho wheels of his carriage
turned as slowly as tbs mills of the gods
and made as little noise. Forgetful of all
slse, no was dreaming of the woman moving
80 silently before him. His horses, taking
advantage of his Observation-Disclosures. crawled
along like lazy hleL
The woman walked With an easy, grace
full step, apparently unconscious of being
the subject OF any mans dreams. She was
tall and clad in dark garments She stood
a moment at the top of tho hill, making a
statue clear-cut against the sky.
The mani in the carriage suddenly whipped
up and overlook hor.
Coed evening, Miss Garrett" no said,
With the confidence OF one sure OF a pleas
ant reception, as he checked the bays and
sprang out, permit me to drive you
home"
~ NAfhkA % oSihca ncNtl v
command, was apt to lie obeyed. But the
woman was not used to obsdienoe. While
she felt the charmot his manner, she under
stood ths force that his gentlsnesS concealed
and resented 1t.
You are very kind, DIR. Sedgewick, but
/ am out solely for the pleasure OF walking.
Why. then. should l rider
Because 1 should DO delighted to have
you" he ans wered, with sincere gaIlantry.
Besides, the evening is delightful, and we
are going in the same dire ction.n
A good reasons. certainly" she re-
piled, in n cordial voice. Yet she made no
movement OF acceptance. On tho contrary,
without definitely refusing the invitation
she made the doctor feel that she did not
intend to accept.
She leaned carelessly against a tree
that stood close by the roadside, and her
long black wrap slipped from her shoulders
to her waist where she held 1t with glove
less hands that looked white and ghostliko
In It's black folds. 1t was the unconscious
expression of an effort to throw off a
thought that was sitting her mental breath.
She was "a picture good to see,n as she
stood there in the dim light OF the evening
sky, str ING and handsome az a daughter OF
the gods. Hers wa mature, not callow
beauty. Its charm was strength, not weak
ness.
A absolutely perfect evening" she
said, half dreamily, looking laxily down
the hill into the s lent meadow lands, ap-
parently forgetful OF the request of the
man who stood waiting her decision, with
the lines of his restless horses in one hand.
1T would be absolutely perfect for me,
Miss earns tt-Alice-if on would say but
one word" He was leaning toward her in
an attitude OF earnest appeal. His voice
was full of feeling; his eyes looking earn
estly INTO hers, and-he was very hand
some ~ I'm sure you know that l love
you, but for years you have made me feel
that 1t would DO useless to speak. But to-
night / feel impolled to speak, and to hope.
have been following you with my eye, as
you walked up the hill. as l have folio wed
you with my heart 70 long. Hove you. |
want you with mo always. Will you
marry me, Alicef' and be elasped her
hand with "A pressure an intense as his
voice.
1t was a strange time for a wooing. but
Love, like Life. deals in the unprecedented.
Hour and place are OF no consequences when
its message is to be delivered. The two
tall figures stood alons in the gathering
darkness; the horses champed uneasily In
the road Tn wind rustlei the lew re-
naming leaves, brown and crisp. overhead
The first star was glimmenng fesbly in the
sky, and the night was falling like a cloud
around them.
The woman turned toward him and bent
bsr head. Were his words sweet to heri
Did his truth pleassi She laid her olsen
gagged hand on his arm with frank affsc-
ton, and said slowly: "a am very fond
of you, DR.. sedgewick, bur l have never
thought OF marrying you. let US be good
friends. as we always nave been. and talk
about other things"
But I can't talk Of any thing elsa just
now. Aliee nm too deeply In earnest /
have waited till my hair Is gray to say this,
not because I was a coward. but because ]
bslieved that my love for you would win
lows in return II l was patient
Sho made no n wei.
If YOU are fond Of me. why not marry