The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-02-12

As the aShes fell upon the hearth This
awful silence must I've broken. or what
would the widow think of him? He
must shy something.
"You must have known my object in
coming here 30 often," he blurted out
At last.
"Well, I think I have guessed il, I"
returned Mrs. Peploe. continuing the
stitches in the stocking she was knit
ting.
IT thought you would. observed Mr..
Gray, considerably embarrassed by her
reply, but relieved Of the same time,
for it saved him the ordeal of long ex-
PLANTATION. "Well, since you have
guessed my secret, can you give me
hope ?"
The widow was silent for few mo-
m'nts, and Mr.. Gray gazed at her in
the deepest anxiety, his heart throb-
bling with joy and fear. His home
would seem more lonely than ever if he
returned to it q disappointed man.
IT will be frank with you," she said
presently. "As far as am concerned
there is no possible objection to the
marriage but Bessie is SO young and
foolish that"
=" All yes thought she would OBJ
ject. said Mr. Gray. rubbing his face
with red silk pocket-handkerchief.
"But don't you think you could bring
her round? I'd be SO kind to her that
I'm sure she'd get over her dislike of the
idea. Now couldn't you induce her to
be more reasonable ?"
81 have tried my best" said the
widow, with deep sigh. But the girl
is wild and headstrong. I seem to have
lost all influence over her."
"Then, after nil, there is no hope for
me-" said Mr.. Gray, looking terribly
crestfallen. II thought we should be
such happy falnily-we four"
eve four /" repeated Mrs. Peploe,
staring a: him as if she thought he had
taken leave OF his senses.
Eyes, we four why not ?" asked Mr..
Gray. IT know Jack Wilkins is very
fond of Bessie, and I fancied we should
all DO happy together, if could only
induce you to say yes ="
"Then it is not Bessie you want"
said the widow, dropping stitches in her
stocking, and blushing like girl, as the
truth flashed through her mind
"Bessie!" exclaimed Mr.. Gray, laugh.
ing heartily. "Wl,at should I want with
q child like that? Didn't you know"
here he grew suddenly grave, "that it
was you / wanted, Janet"
eve nll thought it was Bessie" stam-
mered Mrs. Peploe. "Ol. what o fool
I have been"
"Don't say that" returned Mr.. Gray
in sad tone of voice. ''It is I who
have been fool to think you could eve,
care for me-"
The widow made no reply to this but
gave him a glance that spoke volumes.
In another moment his arm was around
her waist, and he had stolen IL kiss.
"And You think that Bessie won't
object?' he said anxiously.
"I am sure she won't" returned Mrs.
Peploe, with q twinge of conscience, as
she thought of the way in which she
had received Bessie's confession of love
for ok Wilkins.
II don't know so much about that"
said q merry voice from the doorway.
and Mr. Gray hastily drew his arm from
the widows waist as Bessie entered the
room.
That kiss had opened the young lady's
eyes as to the real state of affairs,
and she knew in u moment that her
mother had been the real object of Mr..
Gray's affections. But why had she not
seen it before? She WAS angry with
herself for being such m idiot. What
in the world would Jack say? Would
he he pleased to find that Mr.. Gray
was an imaginary rival?
Bessie pulled aside the blind and
looked out to see Jack, who had escorted
her home, standing on the opposite
pavement with his eyes fixed on the
cottage. Mr.. Gray followed her, and,
over her shoulder, vanished
from the room, while at the same mo-
ment her mother called her away from
the window.
"Bessie," said Mrs. Peploe, between
,,o,l;no~ ~, 4 o.x,:,... s.f>,,~.:.,D 49,. e., - II