Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-09-22

Mildred dared not think how attractive
dark grave face could become when
frightened by smile. She told her.
self, meanwhile looking critically in he1
mirror, that Charles father was kind,
indeed most kind, but that the kind.
ness meant only gratitude to her 70.
her love to his motherlcss little one
AS for Charlie, he had grown very fond
of his new friend during the many
walks they had taken together.
Day by day Mildred INDUCED hel
fancy little in these innocent musings,
sometimes ending them with q happy
glow upon her face, and forthwith be
ginning vigorous brushing of her soft
brown hair, and again turning hel
thoughts as vigorously back to some
subject connected with the routine O
her school duties.
One evening she bru and unused
longer than usual, and then made hcl
toilet with more than usual dainty
feminine care, and finished by adjust
ing freshly made little black and
white bonnet, the making of which
out of almost nothing, had occupied
her during several happy hours, at in
tervals, of the little leisure that she had
from her school work.
She was going that night to the the
alter with Mr.. Kent. He had told hel
that he had not been to play fol
to go with him to see Hazel Kirke.
She had dcmurred at first, but finally
accepted.
1t was q picture fair to look upon
that came slowly down Mrs. Raster's
green carpetcd stairs, and met Richard
Kent in the dingy hall. Not a gor
geous figure; only q slight, girlisl
form, in neatly fitted black dress, and
lovely, glowing face crowned by &
pretty bonnet.
Enough to mako any mans pulses
quicken" sid the man waiting 70!
the picture, to himself. And perhaps
some of hi, hearts excitement got int
his eyes, for those of the fair girl
dropped quickly on meeting them, and
she listened very quietly to what was
said on the way to tn play.
On reaching the well-lighted thcatcr,
Mildred noticed with a tiny glow of
triumph that in his best clothes and
with fashionable tie and collar, Rich
ard Kent, the foreman of q machine
shop, looked as much like gentleman
as any man in the audience.
Mildred was excited by the play. But
although Mr.. Kent seemed greatly
moved, it could not have been wholly
by what was acted on the stage, for his
eyes were constantly turned toward
Mildred. Once his earnest look 50
frightened her that she forgot the play
fer time.
On leaving the theatcr he put Mil
dred's baud through his arm with such
an air of proprietorship, that she again
felt little nervous and timid, yet glad
to have such a sturdy, strong arm to
lean upon. There was to be change
in her life soon, and yet she was I'M
conscious of it.
AS soon as they were out of the crowd
and in a quiet street he placed his dis
engaged hand over the trembling little
fingers on his arm, and made bold
venture in his own brusque way:
mildred, 1 love you, and have loved
you since the night you came like an
angel to my door. / have tried to hide
it, dear, but cannot. It's mightier than
l am. know, dear love, that haven't
much to offer you, and I'm fearfully
afraid you think me too poor and toe
old, yet I am only thirty-one. But,
darling, if you just want love, I've got
enough to give you. Won't You lei
Charlie and me make you happy? You
would make q small heaven on earth
for us. Precious little girl, won't you
say something to me?"
Bending low to look in the downcasi
face, he added in hoarse whisper
"Oh it can't be I've lost everything il
telling YOU"
The reply came in very low voice
"I'm afraid, hero there was a great
trembling of the arm on which she
leaned-"Pm afraid do love You"
Mrs. Raster's porch had been reached
by this time, and in its friendly shadows
Mildred suddenly found herself folded
iiIes.t within two stNag srus, While Aei