Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-02-11

/ .a
the barn; but the grass-grown drive
way told no tales. Mr.. Forsyth tied
his horse and walked rapidly to the
front door; it was open, and he
thought: "She has been here and
gomez" and stepped into the sitting
room, the door of which stood open,
and there in the window was Mabel
fast asleep.
He barred his head reverently as he
studded the girlish face upturned to
the full light, with slant sunbeam
touching it to gold. A winsome face
he found it, though there was visit
fut droop to the scarlet mouth which
caused his own to culver as he noted
it. He stole silently out to the door,
and ringing the bell, quietly waited;
the peal echoed through the silent,
empty rooms, and when it died
away he heard a rustic, then a few
uncertain steps, then silence for lit
tie space then demure little figure
stood framed in the doorway, with
down cast eyes and very pink cheeks.
He raised his hat and said simply {:
81 am come, Queen Nab"
"Come in, please" she said, and
led the way to the sitting-room. l
haveno chair to offer you, but the
window-seat is pleasant, will you sit
there?"
"Thank you, no ;" and he placed
her there; then, standing before her,
he said: "Queen NAB, l loved you
before l knew whether you were old
or young, ugly or beautiful, for your
self, as you were revealed to me in
your letters. If loved you, then,
how much more l love you now l
need not tell you. l offer you all
that / have; the devotion of my life /;
and | ask in return your promise to
be nay loved and honored wife. Ifyou
will refer me to some one whom you
trust, / will give him letters which
will satisfy him, and take your an
swer after you shall have seen him /;
shall it be SOP" sft
She bowed with eyes which were
hidden from him.
She heSitated moment, then an
swered slowly: eyes, you may call
on Mr.. Estabrook, the second house
on the right after leaving here, and
tell him what you will, and--bring
him back please"
He saw that she was trembling,
and asked: twill you not 60 with
me? 1t seems hardly best to leave
you here"
"No, oh no! l couldn't. Pm not
in the least afraid"
He had barely reached the door
when he returned and said with a
whimsical look: II can hardly tell
your friend that / wish to marry
Queen Nab and your name do not
know"
"Mabel Martini" she began, and
then the absurdity ofthe affair struck
them each and they laughed. Moth
ing like a hearty laugh to relieve
embarrassment. 1t seemed but a few
minutes till Mr.. Forsyth returned ;
she rose, and walked slowly toward
the house rather dreading to meet
him but he saw and came toward
her, saying: "your friend is in the
house, and ! will take you to him."
They went together, and Mr.. Esta-
brook took Mabel's hands, saying
heartily, "How do you do today,
; and why haven't you been up to the
house? Do you want to marry this
young gentleman If you do, his
standing in the world is all that even
your father and mother could desire
for you, Mabel. And here in this
room, where they rested the last
time, l give you my blessing, feeling
sure that theirs goes with it,"
The old man kissed the lonely lit
tie maiden, and clasping Herbert's
hand, said: 81 presume you will be
glad to excuse me 4; on these occasions
two is company, and three is crowd
CHI? God bless you both, come and
see u.s." and he was gone.
Herbert advanced to the girls side,
and bending toward her, said in a
r voice trimming with mischief:
81 don't feel quite sure that he
wasn't little too previous in his
kind words; you haven't yet an
swered me, little one"
She made no reply, but the cheek
nearest him changed from rose to
carmine, and the head with its bon
ny brown braids dropped little,
Taking one of her hands, he said: