The Mineral argus., 1885-03-26

1 =
day." he said Il am very much
ashamed to own it; but it is better to
tell the truth at once"
Adelaide did not feel pleased with
this.
Complimentary to mel" she was
thinking. HE knew should be here.
However. everybody knows that he is
always late. And, besides,
what can il signify to me? have quite
made up my mn1 now; and shall not
saw yes!"
No one imagined for o moment that
Mr.. Stapleton had ever given thought
to Miss Berry; therefore Mrs. Leigh
was not careful that he should have an
opportunity of conversing with her rs
she otherwise would have been. And
Mr.. Stapleton did not feel inclined to
make his opportunity. His time would
come. And he engaged himself in
conversation with the vicar, for the
most part, and appeared quite content.
And Miss Berry sat holding wool for
Mrs. Mouutebank to wind-or looking
through collection Of photographs with
Mrs. Leigh-thinking her own thoughts
the while; and. in way, also she was
content.
Bnt the hours passed quickly away,
and the evening seemed soon over; and
bonnets were once more donned, and
the two ladies' were returning. And
Mr.. Stapleton had volunteered his SER
vices as escort. to Mrs. Mountebank's
evident qualification.
And on the way he contrived TO 6nd
an opportunity to whisper-gravely
enough:
as it: Yes or No, Miss Berry,"
And Miss Berry whispered hurriedly
in return, "I1l write"
CHAPTER u.-No.
And she did write.
And there sat Mr.. Stapleton, the
owner and Occupier Of the white house
among the trees, on dismal rainy day,
in his little dark, dull, dusty study,
whose window was almost overgrown
by now fast whitening creeper-read-
ing her letter.
He sighed as he finished il and laid
it upon the table before him. And
then. rubbing his hands, for they were
cold. he cast forlorn glance at the
black, smoky fire.
81 had thought"-he uttered, half
sorrowfully, half resignedly. But
never mind. SO our dream vanished. :"
And the wind moaned outside, and
the rain, and the lying leaves Of the
creeper battered dOlefully against the
window. And now servant entered
An unt;dy girl with black face and
dirty apron-and with great noise and
clatter made up the fire and departed.
! Next, Mr.. Stapleton took up the let
ter again, and re.read it. II was long
one; and in it Adelaide Berry had told
him all her mind. Part of it ran thus
II wish to be frce-and to he mistress
of such house IA yours. ! thought
how surprised everybody would be, and
what little triumph it would he for
me. But-when / remembered how
good and honorable you were-though
tried to say YES from mercenarv mo-
tives, l could not. And now ] am glad
and thankful that my better self con-
quered. The simple truth is that I
had no thought OF loving you; for l
never dreamed, till received your let
ter yesterday, that you would care for
me- / thank-I respect honor you
but this would not he enough to make
me the good, AMI loving wife you de-
serve"
1t was No, then.
Mr.. Stapleton gave another long sigh
rose from the chair, thrust the letter
into his breast pocket and left the
room.
And then taking his hat and UNI
brella. but forgetting his overcoat, he
went out in the rain.
In the course of an hour or SO he re-
turned, soaking wet through, but far
more cheerful and hopeful than when
he had set out.
"She is worth having" he said to
himself, as he closed the hall door be-
hind him. and was preceding to the
study. Il will not give her up vet,
hut must have patience; there is moth
ing like il. will wait year and see
how she treats me. But. dear me !"
suddenly observing how the rain was
dripping from his drenched garments to
the floor, 81 had no idea it was so wet !"
and he turned again and went in the
direction of the kitchen.
CHAPTER HI.--yEs.
Autumn gave place to winter. And
very long, dreary winter it was, Miss
Berry thought. However. it passed
away at last. and the spring came again
but she even thought the spring dreary
also. The flowers seemed so long COM
ing ont, the clouds were so many, the
sunbeams SO few.
At length the summer was advanc-
ing.
It was a warm, sunshiny afternoon.
and Mrs. MOuntebank and her compan-
ion sat in neat, prim little parlor sew