The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-12-25

please forget about that old Joke"
He raised his hat aud she entered the
hall, and was lost to view.
Fanny saw neither the doctor nor his
mother until the day before Christmas,
when note came from Aunt Evelyn,
stating that Parke was called away, and
would probably not be home until the
next morning, and she begged Fanny to
spend the night with her.
She went round in the afternoon, and
had u cheerful talk with Aunt Evelyn be-
fore tea, and game of chess after ;
then Aunt Evelyn grew tired Fanny
accompanied her to her room, did all
she could to make her comfortable,
promised to go directly to her own
chamber, and then went back to the
drawing room, where the coziness of the
fire tempted her to kneel before it. Soon
IL hudd ed bunch of mouse colourt /
cashmere was lying ON the bright RI :,
the red ribbons becoming dangerously
loose, the small hand thrown over the
curly dark head, while Fanny thought
Il am sorry. dear" Aunt Evelyn bad
ai'i that evening II wanted You So
for my daughter And ,hr
'';trke's heart is almost broken. -.
course I know you are not to blame t,r
not loving him."
"Parke's heart is almost broken! |" A
hard thing, Fanny knew; she thoug!,s
her own would break when Martie died
bat surely he would ask her again ! But
il he did not-Fmny's heart throbbed,
and to drive such ideas away she began
to recite the multiplication table.
H"lf-past eleven" said Doctor In
graham, as he stood under the chande.
her in the hall and put his latch-key in
his pocket. "Much earlier than I hoped
to be home.
Then, without removing his cloak,
his hat still i'll his hand, he went into
the drawing-room the lights were very
low, but the fire burned cheerfully,
playing on a huge mouse, it seemed, in
front of it. Parke recognised the mouse
at glance Faney's dark hair, escaped
from its crimson ribbon, was lying on
her shoulders in pretty confusion while
she slept He knelt beside her, lifted
her head to his knee, and sat there
ten minutes longer, until she
awoke.
"Parke!" She laughed, sat up
3 raight, and rubbed her eyes. els it
merry Christmas yet?''
"Not quite" he answered, holding
out his watch. II ought to scold yoa
'or going to sleep here. but it is to near
christmas for that. What do you hope
Santa Claus brings you9"
"A diamond ring, very promptly.
Parke fumbled in his vest pocket, and
'rodnced tiny package.
"Flighty." he said, gently. will you
AXE this2 ! bought it in hopes that
'ou would take the giver with the ring;
rat that cannot be, so I wish you would
axe it-from your cousin"
Fanny looked at him, at the box. at
he fire. then ct him again, and burst
INTO tears.
why, Fiighty. don't. oh. dontl' he
ried "Tell mo what ails you. or-or I
hall give you something very bitter for
our nerves" ...-
mo. you won't Noahl" she sobbed.
MS too bad Of you. Parke I don't
'ont Your ring"
"Well well, you need not take it,
'an,," he said soothingly.
"But-but I do want lawfully |"
obbed Fanny. hysterically.
Rarke was at his wits end he re-
named in silence until he could bear
or sobs no longer, when in sheer des-
Grafton he said, What do you want,
'anny?"
Il want-want-the ring-and-"
Hence at this juncture for full minute,
nen, with a great sob. "And want you,
20. Parked"
He took her hands and pulled them
'om her face, his own white with emo
on.
Fanny, his voice trembled slight
IL wish you would say it again.
ut know you will not, so ask you
nee more, will you be my wifea"
But if she had answered nationally
le would not have been our Eighty.
With q trash hurst Of taoro oho ka1,l