The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-09-24
home il the High street to the object
OF his attachment he could bear the
susnense 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
scented herself because the sight of Mr..
Grey was distasteful to her.
"I'm glad she is not at home, dear
Mrs. Peploe," said Mr.. Grey, looking
very red and nervous. "I'm 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 widow
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 exces-
sively uncomfortable.
He wished that the widow would
| avert her bright eyes from his face her
steady gaze confused him, and he scarce
| ly knew what he was going to say.
He hardly liked to risk popping
the question, for refusal would mean
Punishment from the cheerful tireside
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 st i'll tha room waS He II al
as the ashes dropped upon the hearth.
This awful silence must be broken, or
what would the widow think OF him.
lie must say something.
you must have known my object
in coming here so Often" he blurted
out at last.
well, think I 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 a long explanation. "Well, since
you have guessed my secret, can you
give me hope?'
The widow was silent for few mo-
ments, and Mr.. Grey gazed at her in
the deepest anxiety, his heart throb-
bing with mingled JOY and fear.
The house in the High street would
seem more lonely than ever, if he re-
turned to it a disappointed man.
II will be frank with YOU" she said
presently, ''As far us lam concerned,
there is no possible objection to the
marriage; but Bessie is SO young and
foolish that"
"Ah! yes! thought she would OBJ
ject, +" said Mr.. Grey, rubbing his face
with a red silk pocket handkerchief.
But don't you think you could bring
her round? 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?"
Il have tried my best" said the
widow, with a deep sigh. "But the
girl is wild and headstrong. seem to
have lost all influence over her"
Then after all, there is no hope for
me-" said Mr.. Grey, looking terribly
crestfallen. II thought we would be
such happy family-we four"
1--WE fourn' repeated Mrs. Peploe,
starting at him as if she thought he
had taken leave of his senses.
"Yes,-we four. Why not? asked Mr..
Grey. know Jack Watkins is very
fond of Bessie, and | fancied weshould
all be happy together, if | could only
induce you to say yes.
Then it is not Bessie you want"
said the widow, dropping stitches in
lac, ct nd ,,1
as the truth flashed through her mind.
':Bessie." exclaimed Mr.. Grey, laugh
ing heartily. What would | want
with a child like that? Didn't you
know here he grew suddenly grave,
that it was you | wanted, Janet?"
1--WE all thought it was Bessie"
stammered Mrs. Peploe. ''Oh what a
fool have beenn
Don't say that" returned Mr..
Grey, in sad tone of voice. at is 1
who have been a fool to think you
could ever care for me.
The widow made no reply to this,
but gave him a glance that spoke vol
umes. In another moment his arm
was around her waist, and he had
stolen Il kiss.
L
object2" be 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 confession OF love
for Jack Watkins.
II don't know so much about that"
SAID q merry voice from the doorway,
ana aff. Grey hastily drew his arm
from the widows whist as Bessie en-
tered the room.
The kiss had opened the young lady's
eyes as to the real state ofaffairs, and
she knew in a moment that her mother
had been the real object OF Mr.. Grey's
Affection She was angry with her
self for being such an idiot.
What in the world would Jack say?
Would be be pleased to find that
Mr. Grey was an imaginary rival?
Bessie pulled aside the blind and
looked ont to sea Jack, who had es-
corted her home, standing on the OPP
posite pavement with his eyes fixed on
the cottage Mr.. Grey followed her,
and after peering over her shoulders,
vanished from the room, while at the
same moment her mother called her
away nom the window.
Bessie said Mrs. Peploe, between
laughing and crying, forgive me for
all the hard things l said to you"
II will indeed" returned Bessie,
heartily, as she kissed her mother;
:but What iroia we have been! We
must have been as blind rs bats not
10 sea that it was you that pc wanted
. the time"
d.: :.Wbo wo, I'D dream that he would
have looked at me W.. 5e,. IT,
near" returned Mrs. Peploe, s,l hs
her daughters rosy cheek.
ooh! mother" began Bessie, but
paused abruptly, as the door opened,
and Mr.. Gray entered accompanied
by Jack Watkins.
The four looked at each other in 81 ,
lence for few moments, and then,
tickled by the absurdity of the situa-
ton, Jack went into commissions of
laughter His mirth was contagious,
and all launched heartily, altbOuph BeS- |