The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-05-30
felt that she was laughing at me, as 1 re-

has lost all his teeth is perfectly safe for
the children to play with"
Yes, exactly" was the reply And
this time she raised her laughing eyes to
mine, and with an Au reroir' and a low
courtesy, she ran up stairs, while | de-
parted, in most uncomfortable state of
mind, to fetch my skates. A few minutes
before would have been willing 10 stake
my fortune that she cared lit
tie for me, but her last speech undid it
ALL
In half an hour l was back again.
Some one left the house as / ran up the
steps, and as the door stood open | walk
ed in without ringing. My hand was on
the portiere of the drawing-room TO push
it aside, when l heard a voice within
say:
u love you, Alice. Win you be my
wife ?''
Ny heart stood still. and turning from
the door recognized the voice as that of
one of the young fellows who had been
devoted in his attention to Alice. He
was wealthy indeed that hardly express
ed it, for he was worth at least million
in his own right, with the prospect of in
heriting several more from his father
Compared with that, my little fortune
was mere pittance. The front door shut
and looked from the window to make
sure that my ears had not deceived me.
No; there he was, tall and handsome,
just such a young fellow as any woman
would be proul to call her husband.
turned 10 the mirror over the mantel.
What chance would an old house-dag
have when compared with such a splen-
did young mastif? OF course she would
accept him. According to my old theo-
ries none but fool would refuse such an
offer but now it struck me as mercena-
ry that woman should stop to consider
all the pros and and cons, and give her
self for good settlement in life without
consulting the dictates of her heart. But
there again was change in my ideas,
for had never before acknowledged that
women had heart enough to be trouble
some
However, if we were to go skating,
must pu. on a brave face, and save my
misery until afterward. When | entered
the drawing-room | found Alice, wrap
ped in her furs, sitting in front of the fire
gazing at it intently. She looked up as
approached her, and there was suspi-
cious glisten about her eyes as she very
hastily drew her hand across them, say
ing:
You startled me. Mr.. Graham. l did
not hear you come in"
81 have been here some time,' re-
piled, "and have to beg pardon for unin-
tentionally overhearing part of your con-
versation."
Did you? Oh, am sorry"
"Surely you need not grudge an old
friend the knowledge of your happiness"
/ said.
She looked astonished, but said moth
ing.
May l congratulate you?" l then
asked.
Not yet, please" was the answer
But come, Mr.. Graham, we must be OFF,
or we will have no time for skating"
We started of, and every minute her
"a 4 \.
seemed hard harted TO me, that she
should parade her happiness before my
very eyes. Alice never noticed how fore
ed my attempts at liveliness wore, but
laughed and talked as ! never heard her
laugh and talk before. 1t was the last
time that should ever have her all to
myself, and | never took my eyes off of
her face, drinking in her beauty, her
ever-changing expression, and her glori-
Gus eyes, now soft and sympathetic, yet
in an instant brimming over with fun
and laughter-often enough at my ex-
pense.
Jim Randolph was at home when We
returned, and would take no refusal to
his invitation to stop and dine with them.
For the last time," said to myself, and
staid. He had an engagement for the
evening. and excused himself as soon as
dinner was oyer, leaving us alone. We
sat in front of the drawing-room fire after
he had gone, and long and awkward
pause ensued.
"A penny for your thoughts" said Al
ice at last.
"You would like them," was the surly
reply.
perhaps not, but l have fancy to
hear them"
They will only tire you"
THAT is for me to decide" she answer
ed and raising from her low seat, she
leaned against the mantel, with her face
in the shadow, so that | could not see it
distinctly but her voice sounded strange
ly excited.
Please grant my request" she added.
"Nery well,' | said as you wish it,
then, | was thinking of you Alice,
have loved you since the first time | met
you-loved you as never thought
could love, and until my love for you has
become so bound up in my life that now,
when l must give You up, life seems but
blank to me. ! know | was fool to
think of you. / am too old. What have
] to offer you in comparison with the
wealth, youth, and social standing that
have been thrown at your feet to-day?
Nothing but my love-"
A sound like suppressed sob came
from the fireplace.
"You asked me, Alice, and | have told
you think it would have been wiser
not TO have spoken, for what good can it
do?"
What good? Oh, john Oh, you dear
old goose Could not you see that loved
you all the time ?"
"You loved me, Alice?" l exclaimed
"Yes," she broke in I; "and yet treat
ed you shamefnlly."
She was kneeling beside me now, with
her head buried on the arm of my chair
"Oh, John, am SO sorry can you
forgive me? hegan in fun at first, be-
cause it provoked me to hear you talk of
women as if any ofthem could be bought
bv the highest bidder and then | could