The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-06-18

! withou: even having seen me. i Won
der what her object may rr? VIII she
will she ask me to marry her?"
\. this thou sht he starts. and looks
decidedly uncomfortable. but he hur-
res his dressing for ali that, and lie
seconds to the library precisely after the
first dressing bell has ceased t. ring.
lie finds the lights low, and turns
them into full blaze. Then he goes
to table and begins looking OYER the
volumes in a very restless manner.
, II i, not until q soft rustle of silken
drapary sounds beside him that he
knows l., is nos alone. Then, with a
flushing. uncomfortable feeling upon
| him he turn, around.
The uncomfortable feeling gives place
20 one Of unhounled astonishment, de-
lighted rapture, intensest Joy.
All. well who can wonder?
The girl before him. who has passed
under the fall light, is fair enough to
turn even a b.tter-balanced head than
his.
She i smiling, too-a heavenly smil.
and her dark head is dropping very
little, her dusky eyes alght, and she is
| holding out to him beautiful. slender
hand. sparkling with jewels, and white
as q snowflake.
He grasps it, holding it to his bosom,
| while she still smiles on him.
"Nonie," he says, wonderingly, show
in the world dill you come here?"
She laughs, a low little laugh, that is
like exquisite music.
"Your mother invited me-" she SAYS,
easily. "lsu were not expecting me,
Harry?"
II was sxpecting"-h hesitated lit
tle-"I was expecting Miss Leestone
who desired me to await her here"
"Oll. Harry and thought you would
he true to me-" This quite reproach-
fully.
He begins TO feel guilty.
II hadn't the least desire to see her
on my honor hadn't" he says, eagerly.
But she sent me a note. and what
could do?"
Isis she nice ?" the girl asks, slow.
ly.
l haven't seen her. because she only
came to-day, and isn't vet visible" he
SAYS. But | know she isn't nice-I
feel sure of it,"
Monte laughs again. softly and sweet
ly.
"Do You recognize the rustic ?" she
asks, stepping back.
He surveys her closely, from the flow
er in her dark hair to the hem of her
white satin dress. Surely she is fair
and gracious vision, with that light in
her eyes and that smile on her lips.
II wish you'd tell me how it all comes
II, u 4, ssT...> -
did you leave the farm? and where did
you meet my mother? l am awfully
confused, Monte, but-Wont you kiss
me. dear? lam so glad to see you!"
Suppose Miss Leestone should
come in ?-she would be surprised"
mot when introduced you to her
as my future wife,"
"But You may not care for me when
you have seen her."
"Tll care for you while live, Nonie."
And then she allows him to put his
arms about her and kiss her, o he does
very tenderly.
II scarcely know you in this Anery,"
he says. touching the jewels on her arm
and the folds of her white dress. "You
are quiet changed. my darling!"
"For the better?" she asks, archly,
touching his cheek lightly with her
white fingers.
II don't know" he says softly. II
loved you a. an humble farmers niece,
AMI cannot love you more dearly 49,
as you are now"
dan heiress. "shs says sweetly. "Yes,
my love, I have been masquerading. !
am Leonora Leestone, not Monte Lee.
although my intimates call me Monte.
Your mother told me Of your projected
trip to Valley Farm, and remembered
that it belonged to an old servant OF
| my mothers; so went there for the
summer, too-just to see what sort of
person they had chosen for my future
husband. ! wasn't going to fulfill the
contract, mind" she says, with laugh.
II disliked the idea as much as ! found
you did; so thought I'd meet you as
stranger and have little amusement.
The Lees adopted me willingly, and
YOU were told I was their niece; and
you-you told me You loved me, Har-
ry!" faltering little.
sand you said you loved me, NOME,
Harry says, slowly. "Was that part Of
your amusement, or did you really
learn to care for me little?"
ooh, Harry. little! when learned
to love you with my whole heart! when
! think there is nobody in the world
like you! and when you dont-dont
love me bit, or you'd not speak to me
like that"
And in the eyes uplifted to his, Har,
~ sees two big tears dimming.
So, because he loves her too we'll to
let them fall, he takes her in his arms
and kisses them away.