The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-11-13

shaken with fierce emotion.
Not two hours ago he had quoted
Fennyson's lines to her, calmly, cool
Is; nov he was ready to pour out his
SOU to her; out now be faced death,
and death must wiring the truth from
every heart. He leaned toward her,
with eloquently entreating eyes.
May |, just once for my loves
sake? 1t may be death before u.s."
And over her face spread crimson
glow, but her proud lips were raised to
meet his, and then she burst into
tears.
"Oh, Stephen, forgive me-"
1t was not death, though it came
near to II, and Mr.. Velasco's bays
were reekiog with sweat and trembling
IN every limb, when they were at last
stopped by aparty of farm hands who
were returning from work. If you
think those two young people returned
engaged, and with the day set, Won are
mistaken. They were going back to
the world again, and though conscious
they could not go back just the same,
Eilnor, at least, strove to remember
the claims society had upon her. She
dried her eyes, she leaned back cold
and silent, dreading proposal now,
as much as she had once desired it.
Then vanity prompted her; now she
could not understand the tumult OF
ner heart.
But she need not have dreaded fur
Their words from Stephen then. His
face wore a more preoccupied look,
and when they arrived at the hotel he
allowed her TO go, only asking the fa-
VOr OF brief interview some time
during the evening.
She new full well what that meant,
and went up to her room and locked
the door against all intruders, but
whatever battles she fought, never
had she looked lovelier than she did
that evening, when she came down,
dressed in delicate creamy lace, q
bunch OF cream white roses on her
breast. Not touch OF color about
her, II we except her sun-gold hair,
her violet eyes, and the warm hue OF
her velvet-soft lips.
Stephen Bellair saw her as she came
across the hall, saw the ugly little
millionaire meet her at the parlor
door, and turned on his heel. Why
need he go through the form of pro-
posal? Could there be any doubt
about her answer?
Nevertheless, later on he presented
himself before her. 1t was a lovely
night; there were idlers on the prone
made. Would She
she rose and went with him.
Velasco followed, net too closely, but
with logged determination, dull
fire gathering in his eyes. What did
she mean sighting him for that fellow /?
81 will not be trified with. | will
make her decide between Us tonight.
I'll have my triumph over him to pay
MIN back for his presumption" and
they had just turned into a deserted
walk, when they camefacet to face with
him
"Excuse me, Miss Thrale, but did
you not promise me an answer to a
very important question this even
ing?"
She regarded him haughtily.
II do not remember such a prom
Use"
"Still must ask you to decide now,
at once. | have been patient; have
not interfered with your pleasures this
summer; but now you must decide be-
tween me and this young man."
She dropped Stephens arm, and re-
treated pace or two from them.
Eyes, said Stephen, gravely,
CHOOSE between US. | love you.
viii not offer you anything else, for
that alone must influence you. Come
to me, and ! viii be the happiest man
on earth!" his eyes afre.
And | not only offer you love, but
wealth, power, position everything
to make life desirable. No wish shall
Deleft ungratifed; the world will DE at
your feet. Think of it," said old We
Iasco.
She did think of it, and few weeks
before she whould hardly have hesitat-
ed over her acceptance, but now she
looked on life differently.
The crust of worldly selfishness had
melted from around her heart.
She looked at the two men In the sill
very moonlight-one, past his youth,
With the marks of wreckless life on
MS withered face; the other, young
and noble, prince among the people
her prince, her lover.
Her bosom heaved; she stretched
out her arms to him, the world and It's
tempting glories forgotten.
Oh, Stephen, you are my choice!"
And the next moment she was on
Stephens heart and Stephens kisses
we're falling on her brow, eyes and
lips.
And Velasco stumbled away upset
bewlldered. He had been so conf
dent OF her, so sure he he'd read ner
Alright. 1t was enough to daze him
TO find his Judgment so utterly al
fault.
"But why do you choose me, Ellnor,
my queen?" said Stephen at length.
And she looked at him with tender,
violet eyes-with soft, burning blushea
and trembling lips.
because | love youl"
1t was a marriage that caused a
nine days wonder among Miss ThraIe's
friends; but, as some one remarked:
when 1t comes to love you can
not safely decide who will be WON
ans choice"