Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-02-26

Miss Isabel, but | can't stand thai. How
have failed in respect toward you, if VOC
pieases have told YOU you're the woman.
my neart is set or Welli ls1't it pi2ln
what want OF YOU when / say .-e..s~i
Miller 1 want you to Re NJ
Isabel's only reply to this extraordinary
proposal of marriage was faint cry Of
astonishment, followed by sudden tremb-
ling that shook her from head to foot
Hardyman put his arm round her with a
gentleness which his oldest friend would
have been surprised to see in him.
''Take your time to think of it, he said,
dropping back again into his usual quiet
tone. 'If you had known little better,
you wouldn't have mistaken me, and you
wouldn't be looking at me now as if you
were afraid to believe your own ears. What
is there so very wonderful in my wanting to
marry youl don't set up for being saint.
When l was young man was no better
(and no worseo than other young men. Pm
getting on now to middle life. don't want
romances ard adventures; l want an easy
existence with nice, lovable woman who
will make me good wife. You're the wo-
man, tell you again. I know it by what
I've seen of you myself, and by what have
heard of you from Lady Lydiard She said
you were prudent and sweet-tempered and
affectionate; to which wish to add that you
have just the face and figure that like, and
the modest manners and the blessed absence
of all slang in your talk which don't find
in the young women meet with in the pres
ent day. That's my view of it.. l think for
myself. What does it matter to me whether
you're the daughter of a duke or the daugh-
ter of a dairyman2 1t isn't your father
want TO marry IFS Won Listen To reason.
there's dear! We have only one question
to settle before we go back to your aunt.
You wouldn't answer me when l asked it a
little while since VIII you answer nows Do
you like me?'
Isabel looked up at him tinnidiy.
I'm my position, sir" she asked, Shave |
any right to like you9 What would your re-
lations and friends think if l said Yesg'
Hardyman gave her waist little admoni-
i tory squeeze witli h. ;r-a.
'What You're at it again2 A nice way
to answer man, to call him sir and to get
behind his rank as if it were place of refuge
from himl 1 hate talking of myself, but you
force me to it. Here is my position in the
world: have got an elder brother; he is
married and he has son to succeed him in
the title and the property You understand
SO fars Very well! Years ago l shifted my
share of the rank whatever it may bel on
to my brothers shoulders. He's thorough
good fellow, and he has carried my dignity
for me, without once dropping it, ever
since. As for what people may say, they
have said it already, from my father and
mother downward, in the time wnen took
to the horses and tAe farm. If they're the
wise people take them for, they won't be at
the trouble of saying it all over again. No,
no. Twist it how you may. Miss Isabel,
Pm plain Alfred Hardyman and everybody
who knows me knows that 1 go on my own
way and please myself. If you don't lika
me- it will be the bitterest disappointment
ever had in my life; but say SO honestly, al
| the same.n
| Where is the woman in 1sabers place
whose capacity for resistance would not
have yielded a little to such an appeal as
| this?
II should be an insensible wretch" she re-
| piled, warmly, eff didn't feel the honor YOU
have done me, and feel it gratefully"
docs that mean you will have me for a
husband? asked downright Hardyman
She was fairly driven into a corner; but
| (being a woman) she tried to slip through his
fingers at the last moment.
''Will you forgive me-" she said, .'if 1 ask
for little more time? 1 am so bewildered, l
hardly know what to say or do for the best.
You see. Mr.. Hardyman, it would be dread
| full thing for me to be the cause of your Civ
| ing offense to your family l am obliged to
think of that. It would be so distressing for
you q will say nothing Of myself if your
| friends closed their doors on me- They might
say was designing girl, who had taken
advantage of your good opinion to raise her
! self in the world. Lady Lydiard warned
! me long since not to be ambitious about my
| self and not to forget my station in life, be-
| cause she treated me like her adopted daugh-
| ter. Indeed-indeed, can't tell you how
| feel your goodness and the compliment-the
very great compliment-you pay me. My
heart is free; and if 1 followed my own in
clinations-" She checked herself, conscious
that she was on the brink of saying too much
evil you give me a few days." she pleaded,
"to try if I can think composedly of all thiss
am only girl, and l feel quite dazzled ~
| the prospect that YOU set before me-
Harayman seized on these words as offer
ing all the encouragement that he desired
to his suit.
i ''Have your own way in this thing, and in
evervthing!n he said, with an unaccustomed
| fervor of language and manner. 81 am so
glad to hear that your heart is open to mo,
and that all your inclinations take my part
, Isabel instantly protested against this mis-
representation of what she had really said:
sob, Mr.. Hardyman, you quite mistake
| mel"
|
answered Lady Lydiard when she had tried
to make him understand his proper relations
toward Isabel
! NO no; don't mistake you. agree to
! every word you say. How can I expect
you to marry me, as you very properly re-
mark. unless l give you day or two to
make up your minda It's quite enough for
me that you like the prospect If Lady
+ Lvdiard treated you as her daughter why
shouldn't you be my wife? 1t stands to
reason that you're quite right to marry
man who can raise you in the world. I like
you to be ambitious, though Heaven knows
it isn't much | can do for you. except to love
j you with all my heart Still, it's great
| encouragement to hear that her ladyship's
! views agree with mine"
''They don't agree, Mr.. Hardyman,' pro-
! tested poor Isabel. "Y gu are entirely mis-
| representing"
Hardvman cordially concurred in this view
! of the matter Yes! yes! | can't pretend
| to represent her lady hips language, or
! yours either; am obliged to take my words
| as they come to me. Don't disturb yourself;
i it's all RIGHT understand. You have
made me the happiest man living. I shall
| ride over tomorrow to your aunt's house
and hear what you have to say to me. Mind
! you're at home. Not a dav must pass with
| out my seeing you. | do love you, Isabel
| do ndeed" He stopped and kissed her
heartily. "Only to reward me-" he ex-
| She drew herself away from him-reso-
| lutely, not angrily. Before she could make
| third attempt to place the subject in its
| right light before him the luncheon bell rang
at the cottage. and a servant appeared, evil
| IDENTIFY sent to look for them.
| pered, confidentially. IN call early, and
then go on to London and get the ring